Nettle - Your Spring Herbal Companion

I first became acquainted with nettle decades ago when I first met my husband. He had so much nettle growing in his garden and it announced itself to me when I scraped my legs against it and learned firsthand why the full name is Stinging Nettle. I watched my husband enthusiastically harvest it with gloves and I began to enjoy the earthy taste of nettle tea.

As we enter the spring season, I wanted to share the power of the amazing nettle leaf. In Ayurveda, spring (Kapha season) is when accumulated winter Kapha (water + earth) begins to melt and circulate in the body. This can lead to:

• congestion

• allergies

• sluggish digestion

• heaviness and lethargy

  
  

Nettle supports Kapha reduction, which is why it can be so useful in the spring.

Potential benefits during spring:

🌿 Supports gentle detoxification and strengthening of the liver

🌿 Helps with seasonal allergies 

🌿 Mild diuretic, reducing water retention

🌿 Mineral-rich (iron, magnesium, silica)

🌿 Eases Kapha heaviness

A simple preparation:

• 1–2 tsp dried nettle leaf (use more if addressing deeper symptoms)

• 1 cup hot water (increase water if you want a less intense taste.)

• Infuse 10–15 minutes

  
  

Optional additions to balance digestion:

• ginger → improves digestion and decreases sluggish circulation

• lemon → enhances digestion

• honey (added when warm, not hot) → classic Kapha-reducing sweetener

Drink 1–2 cups per day in spring.

Because nettle is drying and slightly cooling, people with high Vata (dry skin, anxiety, constipation) may want to combine it with warming herbs like ginger or cinnamon.

If you have access to fresh nettle, you can also consume it as sauteed greens. When sauteed with olive oil, the dryness of the nettle is also reduced. Next up... I'll be trying a friend's nettle pesto recipe!

Happy spring! Enjoy your nettle! Warm regards, Rita