Hello friends!!
Gosh, I hope the weather’s been good to you on your side of town. It’s heating up over here in the DMV, but I’ve got a nourishing infusion that can cool you down, add some ice if you like, and also give you energy because it’s loaded with nature’s vitamins!
As part of my health maintenance routine I started taking a daily multi-vitamin. Vitamins are great but the cost of replacing them every month can surely add-up. Such was the case in my situation, so I started looking around for an alternative. I always preferred a liquid form because I felt my body “used” it better. I learnt about “herbal infusions” when I started my herbal adventure on the HerbMentor and boy, was I excited to see this green miracle in a jar! Easy to make, in liquid form, for pennies of the dollar! Introducing…Nourishing Nettle Herbal Infusion.
What’s An Infusion?
Think about an infusion like you would a tea. Although herbs (usually steeped over a long period) can be used for medicine, this is not what one would call a “medicinal preparation”, it’s just a gentle way to invite vitamins and minerals into the body in a form (liquid) that is easy for the body to assimilate because it’s food!!! In the herbal world the formal definition of infusion is an herbal preparation where one ounce of a nourishing herb (like nettle or oatstraw) is allowed to steep in boiled water for at least 4 hours. That’s it, plain and simple!
What You Need Make It
- 1 oz. (by weight) of dried stinging nettle leaf
- 1 qt. water
- 1 qt. mason jar
- cheesecloth or strainer
How To Make It
Bring 1 quart of water to boiling. Get your 1 quart mason jar and then measure out 1 oz. of herbs (by weight). Add measured herbs to the jar. Pour boiling water over the herbs. Make sure all the herbs are covered with water. Cover and sit to steep. After 4 hours (I steep mine overnight), strain and drink.
If you’ve never had or are sheepish about drinking herbs, this preparation may be somewhat of an acquired taste. It’s neither bitter nor bland, more “green-drinkish” is the best way I can think of to describe it. You could try adding honey or any other flavors that “float your boat”.
Step By Step In Pictures
To vary my nettle infusions at times, I may season it with a little…
SALT and/or CREAM…Yum!
Where To Buy
- Mason Jars (here)
- Stinging Nettle (here) or (here)
- Cheesecloth/Strainer (here)
- Water (your local water company! or FREE water from your private well) 🙂
How To Use It
Drink your quart of “nutrient power” in the morning, afternoon or evening or sip throughout the day. You choose! I find that staggering it throughout the day works great for sustained energy.
I also use infusions in other recipes. My get-well pops, summer strawberry popsicles, as plant food, red raspberry lemonade. (recipes coming soon!). The kids love all of them!
There are a number of other herbs you can use to make an herbal infusion, oat straw, red raspberry leaf (kids’ favorite), etc. The method is still the same no matter which herb you decide to use.
If you don’t get to finish your brewed infusion within 36 hours, don’t just discard it! Use it as a plant fertilizer, hair rinse or add it to your compost bin.
What’s Nettle Good For?
So glad you asked! According to Susun Weed, Nettle infusions are
…recommended for those wanting to stabilize blood sugar, reset
metabolic circuits to normalize weight, reduce fatigue and exhaustion,
restore adrenal potency to lessen allergic and menopausal problems and
eliminate chronic headaches.
Nettles Contain the Following (and more):
-
Vitamin A, C, E, F, K, P
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Vitamin B- complexes as well as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, B-6 all of which are found in high levels and act as antioxidants.
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Zinc, Iron, Magnesium, Copper and Selenium
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Boron, Bromine, Calcium, Chlorine, Chlorophyll, Potassium, Phosphorus, Sodium, Iodine, Chromium, Silicon and Sulfur
Nettle Is Ah-mazing!
Buying multiple multi-vitamins gets costly and I needed an alternative without sacrificing quality. The nettle infusion does the trick! I have certain mineral deficiencies that I’m still correcting with diet and some supplementation, but having the nettle come to my rescue and being able to make it for my whole family has been a blessing to our health. It doesn’t hurt also that it’s super easy to make! Please do yourself a favor and try it!
Next up…Elderberry Syrup (oh, you do not want to miss that!).
Disclaimer: It should go without saying but since I must, let me clarify that this information is not meant to treat, cure, diagnose or prevent any illness or encourage you to pursue any particular course of treatment. This is simply the recipe I use for my family. I strongly urge anyone, as I do myself, to do their own research on any herbs and supplements before taking or giving it to your family. It’s almost always best to do so under the care and supervision of a medical or other licensed practitioner. There, I said it. 🙂
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