Nettles and Nettle Seeds

As fascinating as its stinging hairs are, the ecological value of this plant is even more important. The nettle is the habitat of over 30 species of butterflies, including the peacock butterfly and the small tortoiseshell butterfly. So if you have a garden, give it a corner. Nature will thank you.

What we perceive as painful is actually an ingenious defence system – subtle, effective, and fascinating. Anyone who gets to know the nettle better will realize: It's not just a survivor, but a true treasure of nature. And with the right knowledge, you can harness its power wisely – without fear of its stinging hairs.

The Power of Nettles

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 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.

Note

- An old arthritis remedy is to whip the affected joints with fresh nettles. This creates a temporary nettle rash but alleviates pain and stiffness.

- There is also a nettle-eating championship in Dorset every year. You pinch the top shoot on a young nettle, roll into a tight ball and eat or do it more wildly like on this championship.