Nettle tea

Nettle tea is made by steeping dried nettle leaves in hot water. Because it is unfermented and naturally caffeine-free, it is generally classified as a low-histamine herbal infusion.

• Herbal, not true tea — it does not come from the Camellia sinensis plant, so it is distinct from black and green tea, which some low-histamine guides rate differently

• Appears on several low-histamine food lists — plain nettle leaf is treated as tolerated by a number of the main guides and is often suggested as a plain herbal cup; as with any herb, individual tolerance varies, so start with a small, lightly steeped cup

• Plain leaf over blends — single-ingredient nettle leaf is the simplest choice; a blend has to be judged ingredient by ingredient, since additions like hibiscus, licorice, or citrus peel each carry their own rating

Fresh nettles sting until they are heated, dried, or thoroughly crushed, so do not handle or eat raw leaves; heating, drying, or thorough crushing disables the stinging hairs.