More Information

Stinging nettle has been used for hundreds of years to treat painful muscles and joints, eczema, arthritis, gout, anemia, urinary complaints and more by rubbing the stinging sprigs directly to aching area.

The treated areas will become flushed with blood which acts to relieve pain. Nettle tea is the most well known in folk medicine for it’s detoxifying and laxative properties, to lower blood sugar, prevent premature hair loss, ward off kidney stones, treat prostate complaints and seasonal allergies. Young nettle leaves can be used like spinach; add them to soups, salads, pasta and more, the enzymes in the leaves aid in digestion.

Nettle can also be purchased in capsule form if eating it doesn’t appeal. Nettle’s iron content makes it a wonderful blood builder, and the presence of vitamin C aids in the iron absorption, great for pregnant woman with rich mineral value and vitamin K.  Also widely used as a natural anti-histamine and the list goes on!

Stinging nettle is the name given to common nettle, garden nettle, and hybrids of these 2 plants. Originally from the colder regions of northern Europe and Asia, this herbaceous shrub grows all over the world today. Stinging nettle grows well in nitrogen rich soil usually reaching 2 – 4 feet high.

In the Kitchen
Stinging nettle is also commonly used in the kitchen,  appearing in food magazines and restaurants as a popular foraged food. Don’t forget to use your gloves when picking!

The stinging nettle is a plant used as a cooking green for its nutty, earthy, spinach like flavour. With bright emerald-green color and a firmer texture  than spinach it does not get as squishy or slimy when cooked. You can make nettles into pesto, soup, put them on pizza, incorporate them into pasta dough to make it a vibrant green, and do just about anything else with them that you would do with a mild green such as chard or spinach. Cooking, drying, or freezing nettles renders them safe to eat and touch.

A great healing tea mixture to help with pain caused by arthritis or gout.

1. 1 oz dried nettle leaves
2. 1 oz peppermint leaves (any mint will work)
3. 1/2 oz meadow-sweet
4. 1/2 oz willow bark

(Measurements are not exact)

Pour 1 quart of boiling water over approx. 3 tbsp. of the mixture and let it steep for 5 minutes, strain and sweeten with honey if needed. Drink the tea over the course of the day and repeat daily for 3 weeks, stop for 10 days, then repeat the cure.
(Please consult a medial professional and/or do your own research prior to use)

 

USA

Canada

UK