Green Health Week Nature-Connection Activities
Foraged Tea
Perhaps because of its Japanese origins in Shinto Buddhism and Shinrin Yoku, the nature-connection practice Forest Bathing usually culminates with a tea ceremony made from foraged ingredients. It is worth doing a bit of research in advance to make sure that the ingredients that you use are safe to use and that you can correctly identify them. Nettle tea is an easy one to start with though!
Nettles and Nettle Tea
Nettle, or Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) is that shrub that is common in Northern Europe. It can grow up to about 6 feet tall, has heart shaped, serrated leaves, and a (square) stem that is covered in tiny, stiff hairs that release chemicals that cause an irritation in humans.
Nettle is high in plant chemicals called polyphenols that are thought to play a role in the prevention and management of chronic diseases related to inflammation, such as diabetes, obesity, cancer, and heart disease. Nettle is also rich in flavonoids like quercetin that have antioxidant properties.
Making Nettle Tea
Nettle tea can be made from fresh nettle or dried nettle. The stinging properties of the nettle are eliminated by boiling, but should be handled with care prior to this. Dried nettle doesn’t appear to sting to same extent. A rough ratio for fresh nettle tea is two cups of water for every one cup of leaves, dried it is about 1 teaspoon per cup. Although it is primarily the leaves that are used, when prepared fresh the stems and leaves can be used in the infusion. Allow the leaves to infuse for about 5 minutes and then strain the tea into a cup. If nettle tea is a little too bitter for you, you can add a few sprigs of mint to it.
It should be noted that as with many things, a small number of people can have reactions to nettle tea such as stomach upset, so it should not be consumed in large quantities until this has been discounted.
Other things to try include: Mint, Heather, Meadow Sweet, Gorse Petal and Pine Needle Tea.
You can look online for more recipes and advice.