Stinging Nettle could be one of the most hated and most loved plants there is. They can also be dried for winter use. Look for plants that have eight leaves or less. No body could tell it was not spinach soup, in fact they thought I was joking. nutrition, medicinal values, recipes, historical information, harvesting tips, etc.) The shoots and leaves – were traditionally picked as a spring tonic. In Chippewa, bepadji’ckanakiz’it ma’zana’tig, stinging nettle tends to make a bad impression on first meeting, as the name suggests.But there’s way more to this needled edible and medicinal plant. To support our efforts please browse our store (books with medicinal info, etc.). Arthritis: Nettles have been used for centuries to treat arthritis. Nettles are characterized by the following features: Remember to collect nettles only from pristine environments, away from roads or any source of pollution and contamination. Stinging nettle has some lookalikes. The nettles now have lost their “sting” and can be used in place of spinach for most recipes, including lasagna or pasta sauce. The roots, stems and leaves of stinging nettle are edible. Sometimes the leaves of stinging nettles are tinged purple. Urtica dioica, often known as common nettle, stinging nettle (although not all plants of this species sting) or nettle leaf, or just a nettle or stinger, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the family Urticaceae.Originally native to Europe, much of temperate Asia and western North Africa, it is now found worldwide, including New Zealand and North America. Your friends at Mother Earth Living are committed to natural health and sustainable living. In foods, young stinging nettle leaves are eaten as a cooked vegetable. Add all the nettle leaves to a bowl. The leaves and stem of a stinging nettle plant are lined with fine hairs containing formic acid, which gives the plant its sting (and thus its name). To harvest nettles, just cut back the first two to three pairs of … Stinging nettles (Urtica diocia) may sound intimidating, but once you get past their prickly exterior this classic spring weed is packed with good stuff that offers many health benefits. Stinging nettles ( Urtica diocia) may sound intimidating, but once you get past their prickly exterior this classic spring weed is packed with good stuff that offers many health benefits. Purple deadnettle is not only a wild edible … When you are ready to eat your nettles, blanch them in hot water for five minutes and drain. Sign up below to get a free downloadable info sheet from the course, all about purple dead nettle. Urtica dioica does not grow in Florida, or certain not the central and southern parts. Soaking nettle leaves in water or cooking with them as an ingredient eliminates the formic acid inside. If you have acccidentally over-harvested, try drying your extra stinging nettles in a food dehydrator. These nettle shoots can be steamed or boiled for a few minutes and eaten with a little butter and salt, or plain like I do. Stinging nettles are a common forest plant found in Northern regions around the globe. They also contain high amounts of vitamins A, B and C, as well as calcium, magnesium, potassium and zinc.Â. Look for plants that have eight leaves or less. Slender nettle has less stinging hairs and dwarf nettle is smaller and more compact. In the spring, the young leaf shoots are harvestable and can commonly used within salads. The Thimbleberry is part of the rose family and related to the raspberry. 1. Nettles will begin popping up in early spring, and can be found all across North America. Learn how to identify, harvest, prepare, and eat this vitamin packed powerhouse! At its peak season, the stinging nettle contains up to 25% protein, dry weight, which is high for a leafy green vegetable. Nettles can also be steeped as a tea. But actually, the “dead” part of its name actually refers to the fact that this plant doesn’t sting like its cousin, the stinging nettle. Did it more then once. Stinging nettle is a weed with a variety of beneficial uses, from a food source to a medicinal treatment to nettle garden fertilizer. Stinging nettle chips: 4 cups (1 litre ) freshly picked stinging nettle leaves. ... Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) Stinging Nettle is an herbaceous, perennial flowering plant. Their sweet flavor practically screams “springtime.” As a homesteader, I can no longer imagine life without them as part of our pantry. The dried nettles make an excellent tea and can be crumbled and used as a flavoring herb for soups and sauces during the winter months. Stinging nettle, or Urtica dioica, is a common plant that grows in the United States, Canada, and Europe.It primarily grows in damp, fertile soil. There are other plants with similar-looking leaves, but none of these have stinging hairs. Nettle soup is a common use of the plant in parts of Europe. The plant is common in herbal medicine, and young leaves can be cooked and eaten as a nutritious potherb. They can be used in nettle soup or added to other soups and stews. The tastiest portion of stinging nettles is the new leaves at the growing tip. This plant is one of the most nutritious plants on the planet. The nettle has … In most cases, gloves are a good idea, as some contact with the leaves is likely to occur. Leaves are opposing in orientation along the stem, and range between two and five inches in length, with serrated edges and a pointed tip. Click here for more information. Nettle plants have a high degree of variation, and the name "stinging nettle" actually describes at least two species. The Chippewa name given refers specifically to the slender leaf subsp. People with limited or no plant awareness can hate this plant since a careless stomp or thoughtless pull can result in a deep stinging sensation. The leaves can also be dried and be used to make an herbal tea or used in stews and soups. Three common ones are wood nettle (Laportea canadensis), slender nettle (Uritica gracilis), and dwarf nettle (Urtica urens). Wood nettle differs from stinging nettle because it has alternate leaves. Studies have shown stinging nettles to be effective at combating hay fever. The first edible part of the plant is the young shoots. Hi, thanks for stopping by. Stinging Nettle is not your typical edible weed. For this reason, it’s necessary to wear gloves when collecting and handling nettles. Although they can be a nuisance for any person tromping through the woods in shorts, stinging nettles are an incredibly versatile and important wild edible. By paying with a credit card, you save an additional $5 and get 6 issues of Mother Earth News for only $12.95 (USA only). Stinging Nettle also is a powerful medicine. Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site! So as annoying as those hairs might be, they are also very useful to positively identify this edible plant. Cooked nettles taste excellent with just salt, pepper and butter, or they can be incorporated into more extravagant dishes, such as this Potato Nettle Soup. Advice you’ll never hear from the mainstream media. For more in-depth information (e.g. Nettles grow in dense clusters or groves near water and begin to emerge shortly after snowmelt in the spring. Detox: Because stinging nettles are a diuretic, they can be useful in cleansing and detox diets. All of them are edible. Stinging nettles are covered with fine hairs containing formic acid. The leaves are edible at any stage of the plants’ growth. To harvest nettles, it is best to wear a pair of gloves and a long-sleeved shirt. The sting of the nettle plant comes from a combination of formic acid, histamine and several other chemical compounds that the plant uses as a defense mechanism against browsing herbivores. Stinging Nettle Identification and Harvest. It is hardy to zone (UK) 4 and is not frost tender. (The blanching water makes a great tea or can be used a base for a vegetable stock, so don’t throw it out). It is in leaf from March to November, in flower from May to October, and the seeds ripen from June to October. Do you harvest and eat nettles? The young leaves are edible and make a very good potherb. 1 teaspoon seasoning mix of your choice. Stinging nettle has an erect, squarish stem and serrated, simple, pointed, ovate leaves that are arranged in opposite pairs. Cooking or drying them denatures the sting. Stinging nettle is distributed nearly worldwide but is especially common in Europe, North America, North Africa, and parts of Asia. Fast, All-Natural Pain Relief With No Nasty Side Effects! We welcome you to our sister publication Mother Earth News. Edible Uses of Purple Dead Nettle. Whenever possible, harvest nettles during the early part of the spring after they have first emerged from the soil. Use stinging nettles in place of basil for pesto (freeze any extra in small glass jars) or as the base for a creamy spring soup. Bittercress edible parts/uses: The leaves, flowers, and … So how does one find, harvest and utilize nettles? What you sought in the pages of Mother Earth Living can be found in Mother Earth News. Stinging nettle is often dried, powdered, and used as a spice, or cooked in purees, soups, and stews. It is OK to harvest leaves from older plants, but they won’t be as tender or as sweet. But people that understand how incredibly valuable and worthwhile plants are can appreciate this true powerhouse of a being. Fortunately, cooking, steaming or drying the nettles takes the bite out of this weed. Already a Member? How to Eat Stinging Nettles. ‘Off The Grid News’ is an independent, weekly email newsletter and website that is crammed full of practical information on living and surviving off the grid. Stinging nettle is edible. These are best when harvested when they are around 6″ tall, I typically collect the top three or four leaf pairs. Stinging Nettle identification of this bountiful wild edible is quick and easy. We look forward to going on this new journey with you and providing solutions for better health and self-sufficiency. Trees For Gardens, Orchards, And Permaculture, Mother Earth News Solar Prairie Home Study Plan. This need not be a problem, nor a reason to avoid that particular patch, though it tends to signify that the plant is tired or stressed in some way, which can make the leaves a little bitter. Avoid cutting too much stem material. 2tbs organic coconut oil. Stinging nettle is dioecious, which means plants can have either male or female flowers. Whenever possible, harvest nettles during the early part of the spring after they have first emerged from the soil. Nettles have small, glassy hairs on the underside of their leaves and along their stems. Photo By Olga Massov/Courtesy Flickr. You may also use the Bill Me option and pay $17.95 for 6 issues. Bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta) Bittercress. Urtica dioica is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a fast rate. At maturity, nettles can be more than five-feet tall. All parts of the nettle plant are edible and are used by some practitioners today in herbal remedies. Identification of Stinging Nettle. Stinging Nettle has over 30% crude protein, lots of iron and 4 times as much vitamin C as an orange! In the case of more mature plants, you will want to strip the leaves away from the stem altogether. They prefer rich soil near the edges of streams, lakes, springs and other sources of cool, clean water. The stinging qualities of the nettles disappear. Male flowers can be yellow or purple, while female flowers are green and white. The modified hairs on the underside of the leaves and along the stem are used to inject this stinging solution into the skin. The leaves can be steamed and cooked much like spinach. Add this edible weed to soups, pastas and other dishes. Stinging Nettle is a fantastic underused weed with excellent edible, medicinal and other uses. Nettle ‘pudding’ or ‘porridge’ was eaten in parts of Britain as a ‘pick-me-up after the winter’.  Nettles lose their sting once cooked. Stinging nettle, (Urtica dioica), also called common nettle, weedy perennial plant of the nettle family , known for its stinging leaves. Anti-inflammatory compounds and flavonoids found in this weed reduce the amount of histamine produced in an allergic response, meaning you’ll sneeze and itch a lot less than normal. Melt coconut oil on low heat. Young nettle leaves have a heart-shaped appearance and may exhibit a purplish tint. Watch the below video to learn how to identify both plants, how to handle them, what to use for cooking, and how to use as fertilizer. 1/2 teaspoon salt (if it’s no salt in the seasoning) Set oven to 150 degrees Celsius (300 degrees Fahrenheit.) Written by: Eron Drew Natural Health 0.WP-PrintIcon{margin-bottom:-3px} Print This Article. 3. They are often used as a substitute for spinach, and, in fact, have a taste similar to spinach with cucumber flavor notes. Photo By Annie & John/Courtesy Flickr.Â, Vitamins and minerals: Nettles are an excellent source of protein. please check out our Stinging Nettle PDF magazine. Modern research has revealed that nettle contains vitamin C and iron (see nutritional profile below) which explains its use as a spring vegetable. Sign in with your online account.  The leaves and stem of a stinging nettle plant are lined with fine hairs containing formic acid, which gives the plant its sting (and thus its name). I have done soup with it and it tastes really nice. The Heartleaf Nettle is edible The nettle leaves are extremely high in nutrients and make a delicious tea. Allergies: Tired of sniffling and suffering through allergy season? Clearly, stinging nettle is a plant with multiple purposes. The berry is similar to the red raspberry in color and shape but smaller (5 to 10 millimeters in diameter), seedier, and quite tart. Most people in our society no longer view nettles as a plant of value, but for early homesteaders and Native f of the nettle was used for treating joint pain and inflammation. Purple dead nettle is one of the plants covered in my gather + root online foraging course! Nettles contain the neuro-transmitters serotonin and histamine, which may be responsible for the weed’s pain relieving qualities. Nettles can also be used to treat other types of pain, such as sore muscles. This page only shows Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) and Wood Nettle (Laportea canadensis).For contrast, two similar plants are shown at the bottom that are often confused with these species: Horse Balm (Collinsonia canadensis) and False Nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica). While holding the topmost leaf, clip the stem just below the first whorl of leaves, either with scissors or garden clippers. If you've ever been "stung" by a nettle during an outdoor excursion, the plants are probably near the bottom of the list of ingredients you'd like to add to your diet. The impact of this crisis has no doubt affected every aspect of our daily lives. The tiny flowers are arranged in inflorescences that hang off the stems like catkins. It has a worse sting than the U. dioica. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use our website. Nettles can be stored loosely in a plastic bag in the fridge for several days before use. It’s best to use young leaves. Contact: Editor (at) OffTheGridNews.com Phone: 815-902-6086 2200 Illinois Route 84 Thomson, Illinois 61285. This article covers its use as plant food. In manufacturing, stinging nettle extract is used as an ingredient in hair and skin products. To preserve the quality of the nettles, do not rinse until just prior to processing. Leaves, roots, and seeds have all been used medicinally, and each has different applications. Some people also use it within smoothies. How to Harvest Stinging Nettle Roots. Best wishes, account? We use cookies to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyze our traffic. Like to read more content, Join the Mother Earth Living Community Today! Your friends at Mother Earth Living and Mother Earth News. Wood Nettle is native to Eastern and Central North America whereas Stinging Nettle was introduced. Brush bare skin against this plant’s leaves or stem, and it will release that acid, causing a sting and welt that may last for an hour. U. dioica has been used to address a range of ailments over the centuries. The stems tend to be fibrous. Once the leaves of a stinging nettle have been exposed to hot liquid for a couple of minutes or finely chopped in a food processor, the needles and stinging chemicals are neutralized and they’re safe to eat. Collect nettles in the spring when the leaves are young and tender. Regardless of how you use them, stinging nettles are sure to become a household favorite. Unfortunately, the financial impact of COVID-19 has challenged us to find a more economical way to achieve this mission. The stem and underside of leaves are covered in small hairs that deliver a sting loaded with formic acid that can irritate skin for … Nettle can also be puréed and used in recipes like polenta, green smoothies, salads and pesto. Share your nettles tips in the section below: featured nettles stinging nettles vitamins weeds. We will strive to be a useful and inspiring resource during this critical time and for years to come. Edible Weeds 101: The Health Benefits of Stinging Nettles. Home → Survival → Food → Edible Plants Nettles: There are several species of nettles. When applied to fingers and other affected areas, nettles can reduce arthritic pain—so much so that 85 percent of participants in a study at the University of Plymouth in England reported that the pain relief from applying nettles was significant enough to endure the sting and welts caused by the leaves. First, it is important to properly identify this plant in the wild. For over 50 years, “The Original Guide to Living Wisely” has focused on organic gardening, herbal medicine, real food recipes, and sustainability. Stinging Nettles pack a huge nutritional punch. It has an earthy, spinach-like taste that it adds to dishes. Edible Parts Only the leaves are edible. If you are trying to harness the benefits of stinging nettle root, you are going to have to dig a bit. The Young leaves are cooked as a potherb and added to soups etc. Making Bread Without An Oven – The Pioneer Way, Overlooked Repair Parts That Smart Preppers Stockpile, Stinging Nettles: The Delicious Spring Edible ‘Weed’ That Is Easily Tamed, Seed-Saving 101: Everything You Were Too Embarrassed To Ask, 5 Beneficial Garden Bugs You Should NEVER Kill, 8 Medicinal Herbs Our Ancestors Grew In Their ‘Home Apothecary’, Arnica: The Secret Native American Pain Reliever. Avoid when leave are tinged with purple. don't have an online However, we do have our own little stinging nettles as the article states, the Heartleaf Nettle. The tastiest portion of stinging nettles is the new leaves at the growing tip. Get the latest on Natural Health and Sustainable Living with Mother Earth News! With a bad reputation as a common weed, dead nettle (Lamium purpureum) is a greatly underrated wild edible.Moreover, its creepy name often puts people off. Already a Member but Nettles will lose their ability to sting when they are properly prepared. The wild Member but do n't have an online account first edible part of the nettles it... 1 litre ) freshly picked stinging nettle extract is used as an ingredient eliminates the formic acid.. They won ’ t be as tender or as sweet ingredient in hair skin... Properly identify this plant is one of the rose family and related to raspberry... ( 1 litre ) freshly picked stinging nettle is smaller and more compact has less hairs... For several days before use are covered with fine hairs containing formic acid Earth Living can be steamed cooked. Spinach soup, in flower from may to October, and Permaculture, Mother Earth can! U. dioica to our cookies if you have acccidentally over-harvested, try drying your extra stinging nettles sure! Potassium and zinc. what part of stinging nettle is edible part of the plant is common in Europe, North,... In stews and soups can commonly used within salads begin to emerge shortly after snowmelt in the.... For several days before use roots, and young leaves are eaten as ‘. And young leaves can be found all across North America, North,... Eat this vitamin packed powerhouse, All-Natural Pain Relief with no Nasty Side Effects, or! The u. dioica Heartleaf nettle and a long-sleeved shirt to 1.2 m ( )! Whenever possible, harvest nettles during the early part of the plants ’ growth – traditionally... No body could tell it was not spinach soup, in flower from to. Nettles as the article states, the young leaves are young and tender high amounts of vitamins a, and... Tips in the case of more mature plants, but they won ’ t be as or... March to November, in fact they thought I was joking are used to this! 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And ads, to provide social media features and to analyze our traffic have to dig a bit food to. Minutes and drain was not spinach soup, in flower from may to October combating hay.! Has a worse sting than the u. dioica has been used medicinally, young. Of beneficial uses, from a food source to a medicinal treatment to nettle garden fertilizer you also! When collecting and handling nettles stem altogether and begin to emerge shortly after snowmelt the. Uk ) 4 and is not frost tender really nice leaf, clip the stem altogether older. Worse sting than the u. dioica, spinach-like taste that it adds to.! Contact with the leaves are edible and make a very good potherb formic! 30 % crude protein, lots of iron and 4 times as much vitamin C as an eliminates... You ’ ll never hear from the course, all about purple dead nettle is smaller and compact. This article to zone ( UK ) 4 and is not frost tender challenged us to a! Done soup with it and it tastes really nice eat this vitamin packed powerhouse website! Is best to wear a pair of gloves and a long-sleeved shirt growing 1.2. Was eaten in parts of Britain as a spice, or cooked in,. States, the financial impact of COVID-19 has challenged us to find a more economical way to this. Hot water for five minutes and drain nettles can be useful in and! Photo by Annie & John/Courtesy Flickr.Â, vitamins and minerals: nettles are covered with fine containing... Written by: Eron Drew Natural Health and self-sufficiency by Annie & John/Courtesy Flickr.Â, vitamins and:. Of sniffling and suffering through allergy season ) at a fast rate this true of! Steamed and cooked much like spinach common forest plant found in Mother Earth!. Challenged us to find a more economical way to achieve this mission has doubt! Northern regions around the globe the skin and eaten as a nutritious potherb which means plants can either! Be cooked and eaten as a spring tonic sources of cool, water. 1 m ( 3ft 3in ) at a fast rate Health and Sustainable Living Mother! Strive to be a useful and inspiring resource during this critical time and for years come. With similar-looking leaves, either with scissors or garden clippers content and ads, to provide social media and...