Take the Sting Out of Your Joint Pain with Nettle Tea

joint painIf you’ve ever brushed by a patch of stinging nettles, or grabbed some unknowingly in your garden, you know the extraordinary discomfort that they can cause (the thought of the feeling alone makes me wince.) Strangely enough, this prickly plant has shown promising evidence as a means of actually relieving discomfort, joint pain in particular. It helps relieve the pain in sore joints because it contains active compounds that reduce inflammatory cytokines. Cytokines, such as the strangely named TNF-α and IL-1B, are messengers between cells, and cause inflammation due to an immune response.

Nettle Tea- helps relieve joint pain.

The compound is in the nettle leaves, and inhibit the protein that activates TNF-α and IL-1B in the synovial tissue lining the joints, where they would cause the swelling and pain. It is also thought to help with painful attacks of gout as it aids in kidney function, helping to neutralize uric acid and prevent it from crystalizing. Nettle tea may not sound the most inviting but it’s cost effective, simple to utilize, and easy to access, making it just the thing to take the sting out of your joint pain.

You will need…
-1 cup of fresh nettle leaves OR 1 teaspoon dried if you can’t locate a fresh plant
-2 cups of fresh water
-A pot
-If gathering yourself, long sleeves, jeans, gloves, and scissors
-Cinnamon and/or honey (optional)

nettle

Directions

Nettle is widely distributed across the world, from northern Europe and Asia to Canada and the United States, so there’s a good chance you have some close by. If you can, go out and collect 1 cup of the leaves, making sure to dress appropriately to avoid getting stung (or perhaps this can be a chore for a naughty grandkid?)

When you have your leaves, put them in a pot and add 2 cups of fresh water-for a stronger flavor reduce the amount of water used and vice-versa. Bring to a near boil and then reduce the heat, letting the tea simmer for several more minutes. Strain the tea and enjoy 1-2 times daily. If you are using dried, use 1 teaspoon for every cup of water and let it steep, covered, for 5-10 minutes. You can add honey for taste if you’d like, or cinnamon, which may also help inflammation.

nettle tea

You can also buy nettle tea at the store, but I prefer to make mine fresh. It at least helps keep it out of the garden! Eartheasy.com also gives a great tip on how to use the leftover cooked leaves-eat them with a bit of butter melted over the top, or add to a soup or stew. If you’re going to do this, taste a small piece to ensure they are cooked enough that the sting is all gone!


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18 Comments

  1. Martha says:

    Is this good for RA

  2. Kika says:

    Interesting! I use nettle for allergies but didn’t know it was also useful for joint pain.

  3. Toni says:

    How do I find out if this is a safe thing to take as I take alot of prescription medication? Also, I’m wondering if ginko biloba is a blood thinner? I take warfarin as I had a dvt about eight years ago. I was told I have a genetic predisposition to blood clots.

    • Claire (Everyday Roots) says:

      Yes, gingko biloba is a blood thinner-steer very clear of it if you take warfarin. I would discuss it with your doctor specifically, but I think you should avoid nettle while on blood thinners as well. One thing that is good to keep in mind is that just because it’s natural, doesn’t make it safe. It’s wise of you to be checking out possible interactions first!

  4. Stephanie Watson says:

    Is there anyway you can put the recipes on the photos? That way i can just print the picture and use it as directions/label in 1?

  5. alma, says:

    is there a possibility that you can show a picture of the nettle plant,,i really appreciated thank you

  6. Cathy says:

    Claire, I think your website is just amazing filled with a wealth of information and knowledge. Thank you.

  7. christine hunter says:

    Do you have a cream or balm for eczema using nettles

  8. roseann says:

    please show a picture of NETTLEs in the wild and up close == so I gather the right plants.

    Thanks.

  9. Carole Boone says:

    Can you seep the leaves in oil and add to a balm for joint pain?

  10. maribel says:

    how I hate warfarinthere are so many things I can’t take because of it. I wish I could take more natural medicines but I’m also a prone to blood clots so I am on them for life.

  11. Rebecca says:

    Where do you get the small round strainer that’s in the jar?

  12. Deb says:

    I have hundreds of these plants in my goat pens and surrounding them. I didn’t know that they were that useful. 🙂
    If anyone is in So. NH I can give you some to transplant.

  13. Barry says:

    What kind of nettles? I have what I believe to be nettles in my garden, but not sure if there are varieties and which are best for this tea. Can you show a pic?

  14. Robert Jenkins says:

    I have severe joint pain and some nerve pain

  15. Green Wellness says:

    I’ve heard that Nettle Tea combined with other things like marijuana oil (not cannabis itself, but oil derived from CBD in marijuana) can make for a very effective joint pain relief aid!

    • Michelle Y Kelley says:

      I and my husband use the cbd oil in our vaps. It does releive the pain . i have ra in both knees and my job requires i still for very long periods. The oil helps my joints. My husband has ra in his spine and it helps him. Believe me if you start with the oil and dont use for a day or two you will feel the difference.

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