What Exactly is Nettle Leaf?
Commonly known as “stinging nettle,” this herb sounds more like the main character in a musical horror film than a good-for-you, gold medal winning tea. If you’ve ever inadvertently brushed against a stinging nettle plant, you’ll know why. Upon getting nudged, its tiny hairs break off and act like syringes that shoot the “stinging” stuff into your skin. These irritating chemicals include histamine, moroidin, formic acid, and leukotrienes, and cause its victim pain and inflammation.

However, if you’ve managed to keep your skin clear of the plant, your mind may more easily accept the remarkable truth about nettle leaf tea, specifically that it’s been used medicinally since Ancient Greece. Thus, we’d like to preach a little here: You can’t judge a plant by its hairs.