Stinging Nettle and Herbal Infusion Brewing Techniques The Wise Woman Way

Stinging nettle infusions have seriously saved my life! Nettle is an amazing blood builder, blood sugar stabilizer, reduces fatigue, balances the metabolism, and assists with chronic headaches. As a super depleted anemic new mom, I wasn't getting enough vitamins and minerals from food to sustain me and my milk supply. My supply had reduced a little, I could feel that after nursing Coyote, there wasn't enough stored vitamins left over to help me feel better. I was always dizzy, had a hard time concentrating, blurred vision, low energy levels and in general, just didn't feel well. I introduced nettle slowly by drinking a watered down infusion for about 2 weeks as too much nettle right away can upset the bowels slightly. Noticing a huge difference in energy levels and over all vitality, I switched to the stronger infusion and just after one day my milk supply shot up and I felt even more alive than I did with the weak infusion! Nettle is a MUST for new mothers, lactating women, bleeding women, vegans/vegetarians. Susun Weed recommends two cups or a half liter daily for all women. I wake up craving nettle now. I brew a gallon at a time, steeped over night in hot water and drunk cold first thing in the morning. Ive tried a cold nettle infusion and I find that brewing it hot tastes better. Adding a squeeze of lemon also tastes particularly delicious. Heres how to brew a quart:

For 1 quart of tea you will need:

• Tea kettle

• clean quart size mason jar and lid

• strainer or nut bag

• Filtered water

• 4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) up to 1 oz. (1/2) cup depending on the type of herbs used and the strength desired

Put all dried herbs into a clean mason jar or heat resistant vessel. I put my quart mason jar in a large bowl or sink just incase it breaks if not tempered properly when pouring the hot water. Bring water to a gentle boil, remove from heat and pour over dried herbs and fill to the top of jar. With a wooden spoon, stir the herbs to make sure each leaf is saturated. Cap the jar when the herbs look good and soaked. You can leave the jar on the counter top to steep and cool to be refrigerated for an iced tea. Give it at least 15 minutes to steep for more delicate herbal flavors like mints, chamomile or roses and up to overnight for medicinal herbs like oatsraw, nettle, or alfalfa. When you're ready, strain the mixture into another vessel and compost the herbs. 1 quart size jar yields 2 large mugs of undiluted liquid. Infusion will last in the fridge for a few days. I use this method when brewing lighter flavor teas such as peppermint or tart hibiscus since brewing a quart at a time makes more of a concentrate. I dilute the brewed tea with water and ice cubes when serving for a mild iced tea. I love having access to a tea concentrate over the course of a few days, I rarely, if ever, drink hot tea. Cold drinks work for us in our house year round thanks to dry desert air. You can also make a solar infusion the same way with cool water and a clear vessel. Just leave the herbal infusion in the sun for 5-6 hours to steep or overnight in moonlight. Such a beautiful way to harness the suns or moons energy to make a nourishing tea.

To brew a gallon use 1 cup of dried herbs in one quart mason jar or use the gallon size mason jar. Brew exactly the same. Strain your tea and dilute this concentrate with up to 4 quarts of water, sweeten as desired or not. Chill and serve.