{"id":8015,"date":"2021-05-11T21:23:11","date_gmt":"2021-05-11T21:23:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wondermentgardens.com\/?p=8015"},"modified":"2021-05-11T23:52:27","modified_gmt":"2021-05-11T23:52:27","slug":"stinging-nettles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wondermentgardens.com\/stinging-nettles\/","title":{"rendered":"Stinging Nettles"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
Stinging Nettles is one of the plants I get excited about whenever I come across a patch in the wild. Luckily, I\u2019ve never stumbled into one unawares. Well, Ok, maybe once, as young, and budding herbalist. Fortunately, I was in the company of an experienced forager who stopped me from marching into the riverbed full of Nettles. This is where my love affair began.\u00a0 We very carefully gathered Nettles, dried some and ate the rest as a cooked vegetable, like spinach.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
The following article contains affiliate links.\u00a0 That means, if you purchase a product through one of the links, I make a commission at no additional cost to you.\u00a0 I appreciate it each time you click on or make a purchase from one of my links.\u00a0 \u00a0 Thank you for your support.<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t Nettles is an herbaceous perennial containing more than 500 species within the family Urticaceae. Originally from Eurasia (Europe, Asia, and western north Africa,) Nettle varieties are now found worldwide.<\/p> Named \u201cstinging\u201d for a reason, all plants in the Nettle family have fine hairs on the stems and under the leaves, that on contact produce a stinging, burning sensation, sometimes with welts. Urtica, the plants botanical name, means \u201cto burn.\u201d But not to worry, the formic acid released from the hairs wears off quickly and has some powerful healing benefits on their own.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t Average Nettle plants reach between 2 and 3 feet tall, although occasionally they can be found reaching 5 feet. The rich green leaves are simple, opposite, finely toothed and heart shaped. Each leaf tapering to a point and attached to upright, ridged, usually square stems. In the spring, the plants produce long branched clusters of greenish brown unisex flowers. Flowers mature into seed clusters up to 10 centimeters long. The roots are creeping and pervasive, quick to spread and multiply in the right growing conditions.<\/p> In the Western United States, Nettles likes to grow in and near water. It is often found in swamy areas near ponds, and rivers. In the more humid conditions of the Eastern U.S. and parts of Europe, Nettles is often found downslope from a compost pile or out house, preferring soil high in nitrates and uric acids. (A big hint to how it works in the body.)<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t All Parts of the Nettle plant are used. When gathering any part of this plant, care should be taken to wear gloves to avoid contact with stinging hairs. I usually wear both long sleeves and gloves.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t Leaves are harvested in the spring or early summer before the plant becomes tough or flowers begin to form. All authorities agree that Nettles is highest in both medicinal action and nutritional value when fresh. Fresh nettles may also be preserved in alcohol as a tincture (1:2 at 50%,) as an acetate (in apple cider vinegar,) as a glycerite (vegetable glycerin.) To dry, make small bundles of the stems, hanging in a cool, dark place to dry. \u00a0When dry, remove leaves from stems and store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t The seeds are harvested in the summer, when the seed heads mature and begin to turn brown but are not yet dry. To harvest for a tincture simply remove the entire seed cluster, stuff into a jar and fill with 40 to 50% alcohol. I often put this whole mixture into a blender when I get home, placing the resulting smoothie-like mash back into the jar. Shake every day for two weeks, strain and store in a cool, place out of direct sunlight. To dry the seeds, cut the Nettle stalk with the seed cluster attached. Make a small bundle with the stalks and hang upside down in a paper bag.\u00a0 As the seeds dry, they will drop into the bag.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t Nettle roots are harvested in the fall, as the plant begins to die back. I like to make fresh root tincture with 1:2 at 50% alcohol, drying the remaining amount for decoction as the need arises. To dry the root, chop clean root into small chunks and spread thinly on a screen or dehydrator tray. I do not use the food dehydrator, but the trays are perfect for this use. Stir often until thoroughly dried and store in an airtight jar.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t Nutritive, tonic, stimulant, astringent, diuretic, anti-allergenic, anti-inflammatory, alterative, antihistamine, hemostatic, restorative, anti-arthritic. Seed is a kidney trophorestorative to slow or reverse the progression of kidney disease. Root is diuretic, helping rejuvenate sexual and urinary organs.<\/p>Botanical Information<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Parts Used and Harvesting<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Harvesting leaves<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Harvesting Nettle Seeds<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Harvesting Nettle Root<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Medicinal Actions<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t