While ginger provides heat, nettle provides deep mineral density. For a woman to live to 107, her body must have an incredible ability to maintain its structural integrity—specifically her bones—and nettle is one of the richest plant sources of the minerals required to do just that.
Why This Recipe Works
- Bone Mineralization: Nettle is packed with calcium, magnesium, and boron. Boron is a trace mineral that is critical for bone health as it helps the body retain calcium rather than excreting it.
- Joint Relief: Like ginger, nettle has potent anti-inflammatory properties. Traditional wisdom suggests it helps clear uric acid from the joints, which is a common culprit behind “bone pain” and stiffness.
- Metabolic Cleansing: It acts as a gentle diuretic, helping the kidneys flush out toxins that can slow down your metabolism and make you feel “heavy” or sluggish.
The Evergreen Vitality Decoction
This recipe uses bay leaves and nettle to create a mineral-rich infusion that supports a lean body and strong frame.
Ingredients
- 1 liter of spring water
- 3 tablespoons of dried nettle leaf (or a large handful of fresh, washed leaves)
- 2-3 dried bay leaves (supports digestion and breaks down fats)
- 1 small cinnamon stick (for circulation and blood sugar balance)
- Optional: A slice of lemon to add before drinking.
Preparation
- Boil: Bring your liter of water to a boil in a ceramic or glass pot.
- Combine: Add the bay leaves and the cinnamon stick first. Let them boil for 5 minutes to extract their heavier oils.
- Infuse: Turn off the heat and add the nettle leaves.
- Steep: Cover the pot tightly. To get the “centenarian” level of minerals, let this steep for at least 20 minutes (or even overnight for a more potent “nourishing infusion”).
- Strain: Remove the herbs and pour the dark, emerald-green liquid into a jar.
- Drink: Enjoy one cup in the morning and one in the evening. It has a mild, earthy taste similar to green tea but without the caffeine.
A Different Path to Longevity
This drink doesn’t rely on the “burn” of ginger. Instead, it works by “feeding” the bones and “washing” the internal organs. This is often the preferred method for those who find ginger too spicy or irritating for their stomach.
