Stinging Nettles Medicine

I love Nettle. Yes, I do. The abundance of this powerful plant, thought to be a useless weed by many, is one of the earth’s gifts to us, and never more important than “now”.  Stinging Nettles Medicine is an amazing ally!

Stinging nettles are probably the most nutritionally-dense plant on Mother Earth. Rich in protein, trace minerals and vitamins, she has the ability to restore energy, working deep within the body on our ‘zapped’ adrenal glands. Miss nettle has several ‘mechanisms of action’ and can move her deep healing powers to all of the cells in our body.

That is, if we can ingest enough! I am fond of saying that herbs can indeed change our lives if we take the correct herb, the best version of that herb, enough of that herb and take it longer than we think is necessary. In this case, the ‘trick’ is to ensure that we have nettle often. It becomes a habit, to find ways to incorporate nourishing herbs like ‘Stinging Nettle” into our daily lives. Sometimes, that’s a challenge. I thought I’d share some ideas with you ~ to help you to make this delightful ‘green lady’ be an integral part of your life.

Stinging Nettles Medicine:

Nettle Leaf:

Nutritive: Nutrient dense. Rich in vitamins, trace minerals + protein
Adrenal tonic: Can enliven the entire endocrine system, especially known to strengthen the adrenal glands. Thought to neutralize the effects of adrenalin in the blood stream.++
Anti-Allergy: A natural anti-histamine: helpful with sneezing, runny nose, coughing + watery eyes
Astringent: Can help to tighten swollen tissue + slow blood flow
Blood Purifier/Blood builder: An alterative, nettle helps the body to detoxify. Nettle can help to build strong oxygen-rich blood due to her high Iron + Vitamin C content
Diuretic: Increases the flow of urine by stimulating our kidneys
Galactagogue: Stimulates the production of breast milk
Hair + Skin tonic: Can be used internally + externally to strengthen hair, skin + nails
Also: Expectorant, Laxative + Anti-inflammatory

We use stinging nettles medicine in the following situations:
AdrenoCortico deficiency, Allergies, Anemia, Arthritis, Eczema, Hay fever, Hair loss (post partum especially), Chronic fatigue, to treat heavy uterine bleeding, kidney disease, rheumatic diseases
+ in times of chronic stress

Usage:
Tincture: 2-5 ml 3x daily
Infusion: 3 cups daily

Nettle Root:

Immune Builder: strengthens deep immune system function
Diuretic: Strengthens flow of urine via kidney excretion

We use stinging nettles medicine root in these situations:
Allergies, BPH (benign prostatic hypertrophy can cause urinary retention), Hay fever, respiratory infections

Usage:
Tincture: 5 ml 3x daily
Nettle is thought to be a safe diuretic, as it doesn't disturb electrolyte balance as it relieves edema.

For more information about how to help with seasonal allergies, check out this post about Nettle and allergies  or this one about help for seasonal allergies. Here's a link to one of many research reports.
++  Here's a longtime favourite nourishing adrenal support tea blend recipe.

Stinging Nettles Medicine:

Years ago, at an herb conference, I informally interviewed more than 20 herbalist friends:
If you had to choose one herb -- only one.. What would it be? NETTLES were the unanimous answer!
This deeply nutritious herb offers an uplifting nourishing powerful hug -- to the entire body!
Make fresh or dried infusions with missy Nettle! New to making your own infusions? Here's a post with lots of details about Herbal Infusions + Decoctions.

Years ago, I learned about long infusions. herbalists often recommend long infusions to extract greater mineral content. Herbalist Susun Weed has written many articles about nettles and this long infusion. Here's one for your enjoyment.

Per Susun Weed:

To make a nettle 'long infusion':
Measure out one ounce of the dried herb.
Boil a quart of water.
Put the dried herb into a quart jar and fill to the top with the boiling water.
Stir with a wooden spoon and add water until the jar is full to the top.
Lid tightly and set aside to brew for at least four hours, or overnight, whichever is easier for you.

Nettles brewed with milky oat tops, lemon balm, hibiscus flowers. Steeped. Strained. Chilled. Delicious !!

To use:
Strain and squeeze the liquid out of the herb.
Be sure to refrigerate your infusion, as it will go bad at room temperature once it is done brewing.
(If that happens, I use it as plant food. And you should see how my roses adore it!)
Nettle infusion is delicious over ice. Its rich green taste is not at its best when served hot.
Adding honey can make it taste quite strange. Some folks like to add a little apple juice to sweeten it.
Or stir in some miso, for a salty drink.
However you consume it, do drink it up within a few days, as nettle infusion doesn't last.

Stinging Nettles Medicine: In the Kitchen

I have a series of nettle ‘concoctions’, which allow me to add nettle’s gifts to my day. As I mentioned, each season has a nettles project!I hope that you will enjoy this mini-collection of my own personal ‘likes’ throughout the seasons. I love to make 'stinging nettles pesto' ~ SO delicious. No need to worry about the sting ~ just enjoy all of that deep nourishment + deliciousness. Take a peek here for that recipe.

Remember: Pick the fresh nettles with care. That formic acid does sting!

Herbalists love Stinging Nettles Medicine!

Stinging Nettles Medicine: Infused Vinegar

In spring and summertime every year, I infuse fresh herbs in vinegar to add herbal goodness to my meals. I use herb-infused vinegars in salads of course, but also find that they are delicious when added to soups, stews, and sauces and as a marinade ingredient for vegetable or meat dishes.

We can choose to infuse fresh (or dried) nettles in vinegar. Use fresh if nettles are green and growing. I make time each year to make this with fresh plant material, as it is preferable. You may use dried if fresh is unavailable.
I tend to use good quality apple cider vinegar (ACV) but you may choose whichever vinegar you prefer. This is SO easy.Try this recipe with fresh nettles this SPRING and Summer! Make it with nettles alone or add other ingredients like garlic cloves, grated or sliced ginger or your own favourites.

I do suggest that you infuse ACV with fresh nettles first, just 'solo' and use as a wonderful spring tonic!
It's totally up to you -- Fresh stinging nettles love company too! This recipe is a template..
Don't you just love the fresh rose petals in the picture? There's another idea for you!

5 from 1 vote

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Herbal Vinegar

Easy DIY herb-infused vinegars are a healthy addiction!

Course Condiment

Cuisine Herbal

Keyword #condiments, #keto, #realfood, #whole30, Paleo, Vegan, Vegetarian

Ingredients

• spices
• herbs
• vinegar

Instructions

1. Start with a clean bottle or jar.
2. Add any spices first.If using garlic, ginger or garlic ~ drop in next.
3. Add the fresh herbs.
4. I use a chopstick or a bamboo/wooden skewer to poke at the herbs to settle down into the jar.
5. Add the vinegar to ½ inch below the top of the container.Use the chopstick or skewer to poke at the herbs to ensure that they are completely submerged.

6. If using nettles, dill or other leafy herb; add last so that the spices will stay submerged in the vinegar.

7. It is actually ready at this point but the infusion will be more flavourful if allowed to sit for 4-6 weeks.

Recipe Notes

NOTE: if the vinegar is topped up after each use, to ensure that the botanicals are not exposed to air, the vinegar will keep for up to 6 months.
(Confession: I have vinegars that are 2-3 years old, that are just fine)

SO.. You can use this wonderful stinging nettle vinegar as a vinaigrette ingredient, or add to steamed veggies to increase nutrient absorption. 

Can you believe it?
You can ALSO use this special vinegar in the ‘boudoir’ as a hair rinse to stimulate your scalp and promote hair growth! Make extra and keep on hand for a special self-care hair treatment!

Stinging Nettles Medicine: Nettles Gomasio

Although there are many uses for fresh nettle leaves, it's a super idea to learn how to dry fresh leaves for tea later and also to enjoy all year 'round in this deeply nourishing condiment!

When the seasons change, and fresh nettle is not available, here's an easy idea.
Sprinkle ‘crumbles’ of dried nettles into food as you might use parsley.

Additions to dried nettles for a robust tasty + deeply nutritious gomasio. Sesame seeds. flax seeds, hemp seeds

Mix dried nettles with other herbs to make your own seasonings!  I love to play with herbal combinations to create condiments. It's a healthy addiction!!

Here’s an old family favourite for you to try. It’s easy to make and very nutritious.

Nettles ‘Gomasio’
4 tablespoons nettles, dried, crumbled
4 tablespoons sesame seeds
4 tablespoons dulse seaweed

Toast the sesame seeds in a dry frying pan over low to medium heat until slightly golden.
Add the crumbled dulse and nettles and very lightly toast, stirring gently.
You are just warming ~ not cooking!
Remove from the heat.
Allow to cool.
Store the mixture in a glass jar.
I tend to use canning jars with tight-fitting lids.
Store in a dark cupboard.
Take a small amount and fill a shaker container.
Keep it handy and use it often.

This mixture is delicious, and easy to use. Just sprinkle over your meals.

Optional add on ideas? What tastes do you like? Sometimes I add some ‘red pepper flakes’, for example, or granulated garlic or crumbled orange peel. We are only limited by our imagination!  No matter what the season, consider "miss nettles" ~ a trusted green ally.

Here's one more easy NETTLE project, and one that gets rave reviews from my friends:

Stinging Nettles Medicine: Nettles in Port

Port wine infused with nettle leaves and a few other flavour options. YUM!!

 I hope that you will embrace missy Nettles for all that she offers us -- For health's sake ~  xo  Carol

p.s.
I came across this recipe last fall and made a note of it for this spring's harvest. I cannot take credit for it but wanted to share it for those of you who are adventurous cooks:
Celebrate the return of spring with these seasonal Tuscan gnocchi, which concentrate the earthy and nutty flavor of wild nettles, or ortiche in Italian, into bite-size dumplings that need no more than a little melted butter as a sauce.