How to Make Nettle Seed Tea for Health and Vitality

November 28, 2025 •

4 min read

Historically, horse traders would feed nettle seeds to horses to make their coats glossy and give them extra energy before a sale. Today, many people turn to this potent ingredient for a natural energy boost and to support adrenal health. Learning how to make nettle seed tea is a simple process that can unlock the powerful, restorative properties of this wild plant.

Quick Summary

This article details the process of preparing nettle seed tea, including harvesting, drying, and brewing techniques. It explores the energizing and adaptogenic properties of nettle seeds and provides a simple recipe for a nourishing infusion.

Key Points

Harvest in late summer: Nettle seeds are best harvested in late summer to mid-autumn when they are green and plump on the drooping female plants.
Always wear gloves: Handle the stinging nettle plant with care by wearing gloves during harvesting and initial processing to avoid the stinging hairs.
Dry seeds properly: Hang seed clusters in a dry, dark place or use a dehydrator until fully dry before separating the seeds.
Use a fine-mesh sieve: Separate the seeds from the stems by rubbing the dried clusters through a fine-mesh sieve.
Brew a nourishing infusion: Steep dried nettle seeds in hot water for a robust and mineral-rich tea, extending the infusion time for a more potent tonic.
Start with a small dose: Due to its stimulating effects, begin with a small amount of nettle seed tea and avoid excessive consumption, especially late in the day.
Consult a professional if needed: Individuals with pre-existing conditions or taking medication should consult a healthcare provider before regularly consuming nettle seed tea.

Harvesting and Preparing Your Nettle Seeds

Before you can make a cup of nourishing nettle seed tea, you'll need to gather and prepare the seeds themselves. The stinging nettle plant, Urtica dioica, produces its seeds on female plants from mid-summer to mid-autumn. These female plants can be identified by their fuller, heavier clusters of flowers and seeds, which droop downwards. Always wear thick gloves when harvesting to avoid getting stung by the plant's formic acid-containing hairs.

Step 1: Harvest the seeds

The seeds are ready to harvest when they are plump, green, and the long seed bundles are drooping toward the stem. Avoid brown, overripe seed clusters. Using gloves and scissors, snip off the top third of the female plants where the seed clusters are most abundant. This also ensures the plant can continue to grow. Respect the environment and only take what you need.

Step 2: Dry the seeds

Proper drying is crucial to prevent spoilage and preserve the seeds' quality. One method is to hang the cut plant tops upside down in a well-ventilated, dry, and dark area for 3 to 4 days. Alternatively, you can lay them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and place them in a low-temperature oven (around 50°C) with the door slightly ajar until they are dry and brittle.

Step 3: Separate the seeds

Once completely dry, wear gloves and rub the seed clusters through a fine-mesh kitchen sieve set over a bowl. The seeds will pass through, leaving the stems and chaff behind. You can also rub the seeds between your gloved hands over a bowl and then sift out the debris. Store the finished, dried nettle seeds in an airtight jar in a cool, dark place for up to a year.

Making Your Nettle Seed Tea

With your prepared seeds ready, you can now brew a vibrant and revitalizing tea. You can make a quick, simple infusion or a longer, more potent brew.

The simple infusion method

This method is ideal for a quick daily cup, though it won't extract as many nutrients as a longer steep.

Measure: Add 1-2 teaspoons of dried nettle seeds to a mug or teapot.
Heat: Bring one cup (250 ml) of water to a boil, then pour it over the seeds.
Steep: Cover the mug with a lid or small saucer to trap the beneficial volatile oils and steep for 5-10 minutes.
Strain: Pour the liquid through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean cup to remove the seeds.
Enjoy: Add honey, a squeeze of lemon, or mint to enhance the flavor if desired.

The nourishing long infusion method

For a deeply nourishing and mineral-rich brew, a longer infusion is recommended.

Measure: Place 2 tablespoons of dried nettle seeds into a quart-sized (1-liter) glass jar.
Heat: Boil 1 liter of water and pour it into the jar over the seeds. Stir to ensure all seeds are wet.
Infuse: Seal the jar firmly with a lid and let it sit for at least 8 hours, or overnight, to infuse.
Strain: Strain the infusion through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean bottle or jar.
Serve: Drink immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

The Health Benefits of Nettle Seed Tea

Nettle seeds are prized in herbal medicine for their adaptogenic and restorative properties. They are often used as a tonic for fatigue and to support the adrenal glands and endocrine system.

Nettle seeds vs. Nettle leaves: A comparison


Feature	Nettle Seeds	Nettle Leaves
Primary Use	Adaptogenic tonic for fatigue, adrenal support, and energy enhancement.	Anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and overall nutritive tonic.
Nutritional Profile	Rich in essential fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6), with energizing neurotransmitters like serotonin and acetylcholine.	High in vitamins A, C, and K, plus minerals like iron and calcium.
Harvesting Time	Late summer to mid-autumn, when the plant is mature and has seeded.	Early spring, before the plant flowers, as older leaves develop compounds that can affect kidney health.
Flavor Profile	Nutty and earthy with energizing properties.	Mild, spinach-like, or slightly grassy taste.
Best Brew Method	Long, cold, or hot infusions to extract oil-based compounds effectively.	Quick, simple hot water infusions to preserve water-soluble vitamins.

Potential Precautions and Best Practices

While generally safe, it's wise to be mindful of a few precautions. As a stimulant, excessive consumption of nettle seeds (more than 30 grams per day) can cause over-stimulation and prevent sleep. If using foraged seeds, be certain of your identification, as other plants can look similar. Always forage responsibly, ensuring you harvest from a clean, non-polluted area. Nettle has a known diuretic effect, so individuals on diuretics, blood pressure medication, or with kidney conditions should consult a healthcare professional before use.

Conclusion

Making nettle seed tea is a rewarding way to harness the unique benefits of this potent wild herb. From harvesting the seeds in the late summer to brewing a revitalizing infusion, the process connects you with nature's apothecary. Whether you seek a natural energy lift to combat fatigue or wish to support your overall vitality, this tea offers a powerful, earthy, and nutty-flavored alternative to more common herbal infusions. Start with a small amount and listen to your body, and you may find that this ancient tonic becomes a cherished part of your wellness routine.

Frequently Asked Questions

The ideal time to harvest nettle seeds is from mid-summer to mid-autumn, when the seeds are plump, green, and the seed clusters on the female plants begin to droop.

Yes, you can use nettle leaves and seeds together. However, it is generally recommended to use young nettle leaves (harvested before the plant flowers) and mature seeds (harvested later in the season), as the older leaves may not be suitable for consumption.

As the nettle plant flowers and produces seeds, the leaves develop microscopic calcium carbonate rods that can potentially interfere with kidney function when consumed.

Once dried and separated, store nettle seeds in an airtight jar in a cool, dark place. They will keep for up to a year.

Nettle seeds have a nutty and earthy flavor. When brewed into a tea, the taste is robust and can be enhanced with additions like honey, lemon, or mint.

Nettle seeds are stimulating, so excessive consumption (over 30 grams per day) can cause over-stimulation and sleeplessness. It is also a diuretic and may interact with certain medications.

Yes, you can make tea with fresh nettle seeds. Some foragers even eat the fresh seeds directly, though it is advised to crush them first to avoid any tingling sensation from the remaining hairs.