Feeling the spring stretch? Let's talk about nettle.

Let's be honest – spring in New Zealand is beautiful, but it's also exhausting. There's this weird pressure to finish everything before the holidays, the to-do list seems endless, and if you're feeling completely stretched thin right now, you're definitely not alone. Burnout actually peaks at this time of year, which explains why so many of us are running on fumes.

The good news? Right now, fresh nettle is popping up everywhere, and it's exactly what your tired body needs.

When nettle (Urtica dioica) comes up in spring, it's loaded with exceptional mineral content - potassium, calcium, chromium, copper, magnesium, zinc, silica, and iron, as well as vitamins A, C, K and B-complex. It gives you the mineral nourishment to fill up those depleted reserves, steady energy, and plenty of chlorophyll for building healthy blood. It helps with the seasonal transition and has gentle anti-inflammatory properties that support overall rejuvenation.

How to make a nettle infusion

Here's the thing about nettle – you can't just make a quick tea. To get all those minerals out, you need to steep it longer than most herbs.

Collect the young top 4-6 leaves in the morning (wear gloves). Fill a 1L jar with fresh nettle tops and pour boiling water over them. Don't worry about the sting – it completely disappears when it hits hot water. Put a lid on it and let it sit for at least 4 hours, or leave it overnight. Strain it and store in the fridge.

Note, nettle is a drying herb, and you may take it on its own only for a few days. For a longer period, you need to combine it with moisturising herbs.

To elevate it, combine nettle with other fresh herbs for a proper spring tonic.

Fresh spring nettle tonic

This blend uses several herbs that are all coming up fresh right now, and each one gets prepared differently to get the best out of it:

·       Fresh nettle – your mineral base

·       Fresh cleavers – support your lymphatic system

·       Fresh violet leaves – adds moisture and vitamins (balances the dryness of nettle)

·       Fresh dandelion leaves – gentle cleansing

·       Fresh lemon balm or peppermint – energises

How to make it

1.      Make your nettle base: Steep fresh nettle tops in boiling water for 4+ hours. Strain.

2.    Make your herb blend: Put violet leaves, dandelion leaves, and peppermint in a jar. Pour hot water over and steep for 2 hours. Strain.

3.    Do the cold steep: Put cleavers in cold water and steep for 2 hours. Strain.

4.    Mix all three together, add a splash of lemon, and enjoy.

This way of preparing each herb according to what it needs creates something really special. Drink it slowly and notice how you feel. Your body will thank you.

Cheers!