Nettles and Nettle Seeds

Nettles are just amazing plants. They are a fantastic source of calcium, magnesium, potassium, silicon, boron and zinc. They are also rich in chromium, manganese, iron, copper and chlorophyll. Nettles are a good source of Vitamin B-complex, Vitamin C (ascorbates and bioflavonoids) and Vitamin D. 

They

  • nourish and support the immune system

  • ease and prevent sore joints

  • nourish supple skin and healthy hair

  • help to create strong, flexible bones

  • stabilize blood sugar

  • reduce fatigue and exhaustion

  • can help to normalize weight

 You can use them in so many ways. You can make nettle water, often combined with comfrey, to feed your garden plants with.

In spring time it is well known for its cleansing and nourishing properties and used to make nettle soup. Or you can add it to your juices, smoothies, or in herbal teas. If you steep young nettle leaves in hot or cold water over night you extract even more minerals and the result is a liquid much thicker and darker than a herbal tea.

Nettle with seeds

Nettle with seeds

Nettle Seeds

Nettle seeds are nutritional power houses. You can eat the fresh or dried seeds and because they are Adaptogens and can help with general stress response. They are loaded with minerals and trace elements and are useful against chronic exhaustion & burnout.

Fresh nettle seeds are more stimulating or motivating

Dried nettle seeds have a more gently restorative action and are energising without being too stimulating

 How to use:

  • Sprinkle on salads, soups, use in sandwiches or add to smoothies

  • ¼ - 1 tsp a day, you can use more or less depending on how seeds affect you

  • Mixed seasoning: nettle seeds, hemp seeds, nutritional yeast, herbs of your choice, pinch of salt

How to dry:

  • Cut whole stems rather then just the seeds, hang them up for a day or two (allow the wildlife to escape).

  • Take off the seed heads and either dry them on a sheet of kitchen paper, in a dehydrator or in an oven on lowest temperature with the oven door ajar.

  • They have a crunchy consistency when they are ready.

  • Store in sealed glass container.

 

 

 

 

 

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