Organic Farm in Washington’s Herbal Paradise

It takes A LOT of nettles to satisfy our customers' appetite for this nutritious herb, but luckily, our Pacific Northwest organic farmers are up to the challenge.

The beneficial health properties of nettle are prized by herbalists across the globe. Commonly sought after for its mild diuretic action, this herb is also a renowned nutritive, containing a variety of antioxidants including phenolic compounds, vitamin E, and melatonin. In fact, based on data from the USDA, nettle leaf powder is probably one of the richest sources of minerals among edible plants!

Our two organic stinging nettle varieties side by side, with brighter North American nettle at top-left and the darker green European variety at bottom-right.

We’re proud to offer two varieties in our shop—both certified organic, of course—to serve our numerous nettle-loving customers. Our European nettle leaf is darker in color and infuses into a deep green brew with a strong vegetal flavor. Our North American nettle, grown by Phil and his team in the Pacific Northwest, is lighter in color and palette. It’s also perfect for folks who prefer US-grown botanicals.

Phil’s crew plants our nettle from seeds they’ve collected themselves; only after two years of growth is the nettle considered to be at its most potent state and ready for harvest. These nettle leaves also undergo an extensive quality control process—both on the farm and at our Mountain Rose Herbs headquarters in Eugene, Oregon—to ensure they’re free from pesticides and other contaminants.

Phil's field team brings in a harvest of organic North American nettles when the plants' flavor and nutritional content are at their peak.

Organic farming isn’t easy, and weeds are plentiful. “Sometimes Mother Nature throws you curveballs,” says Phil. “That’s what I get excited about. Experimenting and studying and finding out how to do things differently.”

Versatile like spinach or kale, nettle leaves are enjoyed in culinary creations like nettle pesto, added in powdered form to smoothies, or steeped in teas (you can find it in our 21st Century blend, among many others!). One of our favorite ways to savor the light flavor of our organic North American Nettle is through a simple, mineral-rich beverage called a nourishing herbal infusion, an economical way to add extra botanical sustenance into your daily life.

Nourishing Nettle Infusion Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 qt. distilled water
• 1 oz. organic North American nettle leaf

Directions

1. Bring water to a boil in a tea kettle or pot.
2. Gently heat a quart-sized glass jar by rinsing it with warm water.
3. Scoop dried nettle leaf into glass jar.
4. Pour hot water over nettle leaf and stir.
5. Let steep 4 to 10 hours to infuse.
6. Strain out leaf material using a sprouting screen or cheesecloth, pressing down to remove as much liquid as possible. 
7. Consume within 24 hours (48 hours if kept in refrigerator).