Looking to drink Nettle tea and wondering if it contains caffeine? Perhaps you’re looking to reduce your caffeine intake, but still looking for that boost. Well, you found the right tea. Here’s where I answer the question: does Nettle tea have caffeine, and you might like the results…

Here’s the quick summary, then I’ll get into the details…

Because Nettle tea is a herbal tea, and not made from the actual tea plant “Camellia Sinensis” which has caffeine. It’s made using a shrub called “nettle or stinging nettle” which is free from caffeine. It offers energy-boosting effects like caffeine only because of its rich mineral profile.

Does Nettle Tea Have Caffeine

So “where’s my caffeine hit” I hear you cry! Well, with Nettle tea you probably won’t need it. But first, let’s talk about why it doesn’t have it, then, I’ll go on to discuss why it doesn’t need it.

Why nettle tea doesn’t have caffeine

So the straightforward answer is that nettle tea does not contain caffeine and there is only one reason as to why this is the case.

Nettle tea is an herbal tea and not a true type of tea like black, green, or white.

Herbal teas, despite having the name “tea” in the title, are not made from the true tea plant “Camellia Sinensis”.

This is often the reason why herbal teas are sometimes referred to as an infusion instead of tea. Nettle tea is no different than any other herbal tea or infusion. 

Nettle tea is made from a shrub originally from northern Europe and Asia but now found worldwide, including North America and New Zealand. It’s called the nettle or stinging nettle.

The scientific name of this shrub goes as “Urtica dioic”. The leaves, stems, or roots from this shrub are dried and crushed into powder to make nettle tea.

The nettle shrub is completely free from caffeine – but does boast a rich profile of herbal benefits useful for medicines since ancient times. 

Camellia sinensis is the true tea plant that does contain caffeine and so only teas derived from the tea plant contain caffeine content, and even that varies based on the process the tea undergoes.

So because nettle tea is not made from this true tea plant, nettle tea is caffeine-free.

Why nettle tea makes you as energetic as caffeine

The reason why many believe nettle tea might have caffeine is that it acts as an energy booster, much like tea with caffeine would do.

This is why Nettle tea makes it on to my list of 12 best teas for energy.

And with this beverage being called a tea, while it’s only an infusion, might give the impression it has a caffeine hit to it – the same as standard teas. 

This is a bonus really because Nettle tea acts as a perfect energy booster without having any caffeine content. So you don’t get the high and the crash that comes with strong caffeine like that found in Coffee.

The energy-boosting effects of nettle tea come not from caffeine, but from its high mineral profile.

Nettle tea is packed with minerals:

• Iron
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Manganese
• Copper
• Boron
• Strontium

So Nettle tea is a veritable feast of the minerals you need in one hit.

And for those unaware of the benefits of minerals, they help in strengthening bones and teeth, but also in turning the food you eat into energy. 

This energy conversion is essential for a body to work properly.

Lack of minerals is the reason why many people can feel lazy, fatigued, and weak …and potentially with a decreased immune system.

So this is the core reason why nettle tea provides the energetic effects as caffeine does, and not because it has caffeine in it.

If you’re looking to understand more about caffeine in different teas, then see my other articles on such teas as Darjeeling, peppermint, earl grey, chamomile, and lotus flower tea.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for a tea to drink in the morning that doesn’t contain caffeine, then check out my list of 20 best morning teas.

Can you add caffeine to nettle tea?

As with any other herbal tea, you can add caffeine to nettle tea. This is ideal if you enjoy the flavor of nettle tea but prefer a slight caffeine kick.

However, remember that caffeine can interfere with the absorption of minerals. This could impede, or prevent the rich minerals from nettle tea from being absorbed into your body.

To add a caffeine hit to your nettle tea, you can blend it with true teas. Teas such as black, green, or Oolong. Just add a tea bag into a cup of hot nettle tea and then let it steep for a couple of minutes before drinking. You can also add a splash of any brewed tea into a cup of nettle tea.

Alternatively, while you’re adding the nettle leaves into water and bringing it to a boil, add a few tea leaves of your choice. Then strain as you would with any tea, and enjoy.

What does nettle tea taste like?

Nettle tea offers a rich, vegetal, and herbaceous taste. With earthy layers that can become stronger with more Nettles that you add to the brew. Although it’s slightly on the sweet side, you may want to consider sweetening further if it appears too bitter to your palate.

Does nettle tea help you sleep?

As nettle tea is seen as an energy-boosting tea, it’s not advisable to drink it in the evening or before bed. The best time to drink Nettle tea is in the morning or the early part of the day. Or in the afternoon if you sense a natural dip in energy.

Does Nettle tea help you lose weight?

Nettle tea is known to have diuretic properties. This will facilitate a decrease in the bloating effect derived from excess water weight, losing water retention helps to streamline and slim down the body.

For potentially more effective weight loss teas. you might want to consider reading my articles on Blue tea, Purple tea, Catherine Tea, and Senna tea. You’re sure to find one of those teas to suit your needs and aid your weight loss program.

More tea help…

I hope this has answered the question does nettle tea have caffeine”. And offered other helpful information too. 

If you’re getting into teas in a big way, then you might want to consider taking my Tea Sommelier Course. It’s a fast-track crash course to improve your tea skills and “take your tea a huge steep forward!” Check out more details below.

Find out more about the Teahow Tea Sommelier Course!

Find out more about the Teahow Tea Sommelier Course!