After gree tea and masala tea, Kandali tea, also known as nettle tea, has now entered the market in Chamoli district. The herbal tea is receiving a positive response from consumers while also creating a new source of income for rural communities, especially women self-help groups. Dried Kandali leaves are currently being sold at prices ranging between ₹100 and ₹150 per kilogram.
Kandali, a wild herb found abundantly in Himalayan regions, grows throughout the year. Traditionally used as a vegetable, it is now being processed as an herbal tea with increasing market demand. In Kaleshwar area of Karnaprayag, the HARC Alaknanda Agricultural Business Autonomous Cooperative Women Group has started preparing Kandali tea on a commercial scale.
According to the group, one kilogram of dried Kandali leaves is used to prepare more than 25 packets of tea, each weighing around 40 grams. This initiative has generated regular income for women associated with the self-help group, while villagers who collect and supply Kandali leaves are also benefitting financially. Over the past year, HARC has paid nearly ₹1.5 lakh to local villagers for the collection of Kandali leaves.
Kandali is known for its medicinal properties. Its scientific name is Urtica dioica. Experts say Kandali tea is helpful in improving digestion, reducing iron deficiency, strengthening bones and providing relief from joint pain. These health benefits have contributed to the growing popularity of the herbal tea.
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HARC Kaleshwar manager Ganesh Uniyal said that Kandali leaves are being purchased directly from villagers at ₹100 to ₹150 per kilogram. He added that Kandali tea is emerging as a sustainable livelihood option in the hill regions. “The tea is being sold online and is also receiving good response in markets like Dehradun and Delhi,” he said.
