Green Smoothie Infused with Nettles
The Nettle – An Ancient European Herb
Are you feeling like you have no energy?
Do you feel like your adrenals are fatigued and out of whack?
I have been feeling pretty wiped out and out of balance lately. The beginning of the year was not easy for me, and stress has been taking a toll on my health. I feel like my adrenals are getting wiped out. I have a hard time staying focused and keeping my energy stable. It is time to give my adrenals some much-needed rest and show them the love they rightfully deserve!
The timing couldn’t be more perfect actually, as I am leaving for a 10-day vacation in a couple of days. In the meantime, I’m drinking water with Celtic salt and liquid minerals to improve adrenal function. No coffee or alcohol for a while. I’m also taking lots of vitamin C (food-grade not ascorbic acid) and making lots of nettle infusions.
Stinging nettle is an ancient herb that has been used in Europe for centuries. It grows wild everywhere, as well as in the country I came from, Poland. My childhood memories often take me to my grandma, who used to make juice from stinging nettles. She also forged them and dried the nettles above the stove; then she used to serve us stinging nettle teas and nettle infusions to help us with detox, as well as when someone in my family had a urinary tract infection.
Stinging nettles have amazing health benefits. They help with urinary tract infections and with liver and kidney detox. They support digestion, hormonal health, allergies, and blood sugar regulation. They help prevent anemia, joint pain, and eczema. They aid in decreased menstrual flow, stimulate hair growth, promote lactation and they are a natural antihistamine remedy.
You are probably wondering why Nettles are so amazing?
Stinging nettles contain lots of minerals… magnesium, calcium, iron, cobalt, potassium, manganese boron, iodine, zinc, sulfur, and copper. They are also rich in vitamins, including vitamins C, B, D, and K. Nettles contain chlorophyll, which is helpful with liver detoxification and alkalization. We need all of those minerals and vitamins to be healthy. With such rampant soil depletion nowadays, we need as much of them as we can get.
Making an herbal infusion with stinging nettles and other herbs will help bring your body into balance. Herbs are food, and the body will always utilize nutrients from food over supplements. So the more nutrients you get from food, the better.
Stinging nettle infusions are helpful with strengthening the adrenals, they help relieve anxiety and build steady, focused energy. I do know from my own personal experience that when my adrenals are overworked they overreact, giving me sudden sensations of fear, nervousness, and anxiety.
Stinging nettles also help stabilize mood. Nettle infusion will help you build steady energy throughout the day. If you are struggling with low energy, this infusion is right for you. If you are struggling with getting out of bed without coffee, this infusion is for you. If you can’t relax without drinking a glass of wine, this infusion will help you slow down and breathe.
Some people might be discouraged by the taste of nettles, but I strongly encourage you to give them a try. You will get used to it, and if you really do not like the taste, you can add some cherry juice to make it more palatable.
These infusions are a great addition to adrenal recovery. I use nettles in my kitchen all year around. I drink juice from nettles, make infusions and drink herbal teas. I add it to soups, bone broths, salads, and egg omelets. You can even make wilted nettles with a little bit of garlic and olive oil or butter.
Perhaps you are curious how you can eat them since they actually sting? Well, the solution is easy. When you pour hot water over fresh nettles it stops their stinging effect; then you can freely add them to any dish you want.
How do you make juice from nettles?
- Harvest or buy fresh nettles. Ensure that you have enough because nettles are not very juicy. If your nettles are too dry, you can soak them in hot water for a couple of minutes, so the nettles plump and will yield more juice. Then you can juice them using a juicer.
- Drink 1-2 tablespoons a day
- You can store the juice in the refrigerator up to one week, and you can also freeze as
ice cubes, later adding to your smoothies, other juices or any drink you like to drink!
How to make a nettle infusion?
I always go back to my grandma’s recipe for stinging nettle infusion to support adrenal function. Steep 1½ cups dried nettles, ¼ cup lemon balm, ¼ cup dried hibiscus in 2 liters of hot water for at least 8 hours. Strain the herbs and warm them up. You are welcome to add some honey or maple syrup if you want to. You can also add any spice you want along with lemon or lime juice.
Tips:
- Steep the nettles only in hot (not boiling!) water. Do not boil, because boiling will reduce enzymes and vitamins.
- Cover the pot with a plate while you are steeping to protect volatile oils in the plants from escaping in the steam.
- You can add any other herbs you desire, like dandelion, clover, mint or birch for more health properties.
- You can add any spices you like to the infusion.
- You can also add the infusion to your smoothies.
Here is my other favorite smoothie recipie: Berry Smoothie!
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Did you make this recipe?
Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #thetastesoflifeholisticblog
Ingredients
- 1 cup
nettle infusion
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 cup
pineapple
- 1 cup
romaine
- 1/2 avocado
- 1/4 cup coconut flakes
- 2 tbsp hemp seeds
- 2 tbsp mint chopped
juice from 1 lime
- salt pinch
- stevia to taste if needed
Instructions
- Put everything in the blender and blend until smooth.