Mineral-rich whole leaf loose tea

We absolutely wanted to include a whole leaf nettle tea among our offerings, because nettle is one of the best nutritional supplements there is. Many herbalists believe that it is better to drink nettle tea regularly than to invest in any vitamin and mineral tablets or capsules. With a single herb that is not enclosed in a capsule or a tea bag, you are able to evaluate the freshness and vibrancy of your supplement and you can choose a supply from the most recent harvest (it would be much harder to learn the harvest of your herbs in encapsulated nettles).

Our nettles come from three sources: we grow them organically ourselves, and we supplement our harvest with organic nettles from two local organic farms. At one of the farms, Urban Eden Farm in Spokane, WA, we pick the nettles ourselves, remove the leaves from each stem, then air- and shade-dry the leaves on trays over the course of several days or up to two weeks, depending on the level of humidity in the air. It is a labor-intensive process, but we love the work and especially the outcome: a handcrafted tea made of whole, dark green nettle leaves and nothing else—no thick stems, no small unrecognizable bits, no herb dust. 

Properties

Nettle tea is used by Western herbalists to improve the body’s nutrient levels, especially the levels of minerals including calcium, iron, potassium, and silica. In addition to its use as a dietary supplement, it is also recommended for reducing chronic joint pain. Eastern European herbalists particularly recommend nettles to treat hair loss and to encourage stronger, healthier, and more abundant hair. The brewed, strained tea is also an excellent hair and scalp rinse. For many people, nettles can help to eliminate or decrease the effects of pollen allergies. 

Flavor

An invigorating green-bitter flavor reminiscent of mint.

Ingredients

Leaves of wildcrafted or organically cultivated Urtica dioica (stinging nettles). Gluten free. Caffeine free. 

Origin

Washington or Idaho, United States. 

Directions

Take a few leaves or more and place inside a teapot, tea mug, or French press. Brew using filtered, freshly boiled water. Steep, covered, for 10–15 minutes, then strain. Add honey or agave nectar if desired.

Sustainable Packaging

Our teas are packaged in eco-friendly clear bags made from cellulose, which is a naturally abundant organic material, then in cardboard boxes for shipping. The cellulose used in the bags is derived from renewable wood pulp that is sustainably harvested from FSC-managed plantations. The bags are certified 100% compostable, meaning they can be composted both by individuals at home and in industrial composting facilities, and are marine degradable, which means that, unlike many other "biodegradable" products, these bags can break down not only in landfills, but also in marine environments.

And perhaps even more important than the materials we have chosen are the materials that we have opted not to use. Our teas are never packaged in individual tea bags or pouches, which produce an enormous quantity of waste that typically ends up in landfill sites. Most tea bags are made from wood pulp or vegetable fiber that is bleached using potentially toxic chemicals, and contain noncompostable metal staples, and many are lined with heat-resistant polypropylene plastic in order to prevent them from bursting open when in transit or in the cup. This means that even tea bags labeled “biodegradable” or “compostable” will, for the most part, not completely break down in a compost heap. We also avoid aluminum tea pouches, which are not compostable, and metal tea tins, which in many cases are not accepted for recycling.

Freshness guaranteed for 12 months. Full size 28 g (1 oz).