Miracle Cure for Allergies: Gentle Nettle Tea - Gardenista
Photographs by Erin Boyle. I never had allergies growing up. As soon as the weather was warm, I would throw off my jacket and practice log rolls down our backyard hill. I’m lucky to have an excellent herbal resource in my Brooklyn neighborhood. Jacqui blended a brightly colored allergy tea that’s not only the prettiest thing you’ve ever seen, but also a powerhouse against seasonal allergies. The ingredients include nettle, red clover, fennel, spearmint, peppermint, eyebright, yerba santa, calendula, lemongrass, lavender and stevia. When you’re brewing herbal tea for medicinal use, make sure that you prepare a strong decoction. If you’d like to make a larger amount to drink throughout the day, you can brew your tea in a large mason jar. If you’re making a single serving, pour almost boiling water over your herbs and let steep for about ten minutes. I brewed my tea in a glass teapot made by Kinto. Keeping a lid on your pot as the herbs steep will make a more potent remedy. If you use a quart jar, you can prepare your tea in the evening and let your herbs steep overnight. For the best results, drink about 32 ounces of tea daily. Starting ahead of allergy season is the best route to take as the herbs work best as a preventative.