With so many nettles around us, it seems a shame to buy nettle tea. Making fresh nettle is really very easy.

Making the tea is the same as you would with fresh tea (not tea bags) – add boiling hot water to dried nettles and leave to infuse for your preferred strength, at least five minutes. If you make it stronger, and leave it to cool, you can use it topically, for example as a hair rinse to help reduce dandruff or improve lacklustre hair.

Leaves can be dried when the nettles are at their best in the early spring as the leaves get more toxic as the seasons progress. Pick after the dew has dried on a fine day. The roots are best harvested in the autumn.   Gather nettles that are away from cattle and dogs!  Tie into bunches and dry in an airy room, out of direct sunlight. Store for future use.