Brush against a nettle (Urtica dioica) leaf, and you’ll regret it — an itchy, stinging rash spreads across your skin, thanks to the plant’s tiny, needle-like hairs.
I just began an herbalism course in January and Nettle was our first herb to learn about. This past month (Feb), my daughter got the flu, and I treated her with daily nourishing infusions of nettle tea (a large handful of nettles steeped in just under boiling water, for 4-8 hours, strain and serve). She was better within a few days, and she loves the taste of nettle tea. I have started nettle seeds in milk jugs outside, so hopefully we will have a patch of nettle in the yard this year. Thank you for the article
When I was a teenager I used nettle infusion to get rid of dandruff. I'm not sure which type of dandruff it cures (mine is caused by highly sensitive skin, not fungal).
Also, in my country we make a rustic dish with nettle, we boil/steam it to remove the stinging, then cook it with rice. It's delicious, and healthy!
It is often the poison that is the medicine! The weed that’s the teacher! I loved this. Thank you. I’m sold. I want to buy some now and have no idea where to do so 😅
If you’re looking to make an infusion, head to your grocery store and check out their tea aisle. Traditional medicinals is a great brand. Use 2-3 tea bags to a cup! It has a pleasant earthy taste!
Ooo nettle! They keep appearing to me. I think I need to work with them again. I didn’t realize they were an antihistamine which I’ve been thinking about finding one so thank you for appearing in my inbox.
My plant medicine teacher used to say plants have a way to tell/show of what they could be used for. Like creating an allergic reaction to show us they’d be good for allergies.
Unless I’m REALLY trying I’m not stung by nettle which I find fascinating.
I had a teacher that transferred a tray with a few plants on it (including nettle) into my car and she broken out all over both arms. Yet I had to really unset the leaves (like punching/pinching the plant) to get stung, it’s left me pondering.
My grandparents would pick the tops, boil them to make a tea. The tea was a tonic for the blood. As a treatment for boils, they would be gone in less than a week.
I love that you wrote about nettles! I learned so many new things about this plant. Nettle can also be cooked and paired with other vegetables to make curry. It tastes sort of like spinach but more earthier, and it’s better to eat them when they don’t have flowers. It can be bitter otherwise. Nettle certainly has so many nutritional and medicinal value.
Thank you for writing this. This has been a question that has come up in my brain more times than I can think. And while have a good understanding of how and why, I so greatly appreciate your writing. On one hand as an avid mountain biker, I for sure have had more than my fair share of running into stinging nettles. On the other hand as a functional medicine provider specializing in mineral balances, and nutrigenomics you know nettles is a very regular compound in my arsenal. So just about every time I suggest or prescribe the use of nettles — this question comes into my mind.
Hey all! It’s come to my attention I messed up!
The photo I selected for this article is not actually Urtica dioica 🫣🫠 it seems to be a dead nettle.
This is why plant identification is important! Always room to improve.
Please reference the correct plant here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/stinging-nettle-urtica-dioica
I apologize and will make sure double & triple check my sources 🦋🤍🌿
I can now rest.
People have questioned me for years about this.
I have Multiple Sclerosis. It is a hidden illness, something I have learned to deal with & to hide since first being diagnosed.
There are many many symptoms which you have to deal with.
One of the afflictions that afect me, is chronic leg pain. From the hips to the toes.
So, in the spring, summmer months, I walk through dense patches of nettles, in only very short shorts, and sting my legs.
It is very painful, but not as bad as the ms leg pain.
Then the magic begins!
After an hour or so, it is still tingling like crazy. After 4 hours, the legs feel like they have been washed with tiger balm or deep heat.
The next day, you can feel every pore in your legs, it is bliss.
It is bliss, because the moment taking the original stroll through the plants, the leg pain disappears!
That is how the brain works.
Thankyou
This is fascinating! I’m also a MS warrior. My right side from my leg up to under my right arm is numb/has crossed wires. I may try this!
Just started brewing nettle overnight and drinking before bed for restorative sleep 🌱
I just began an herbalism course in January and Nettle was our first herb to learn about. This past month (Feb), my daughter got the flu, and I treated her with daily nourishing infusions of nettle tea (a large handful of nettles steeped in just under boiling water, for 4-8 hours, strain and serve). She was better within a few days, and she loves the taste of nettle tea. I have started nettle seeds in milk jugs outside, so hopefully we will have a patch of nettle in the yard this year. Thank you for the article
When I was a teenager I used nettle infusion to get rid of dandruff. I'm not sure which type of dandruff it cures (mine is caused by highly sensitive skin, not fungal).
Also, in my country we make a rustic dish with nettle, we boil/steam it to remove the stinging, then cook it with rice. It's delicious, and healthy!
So much great history involving plants and medicinal use. Nearly every story we do on a specific crop involves its early use in medicine.
Fascinating
It is often the poison that is the medicine! The weed that’s the teacher! I loved this. Thank you. I’m sold. I want to buy some now and have no idea where to do so 😅
If you’re looking to make an infusion, head to your grocery store and check out their tea aisle. Traditional medicinals is a great brand. Use 2-3 tea bags to a cup! It has a pleasant earthy taste!
Thank you for the tip!
Ooo nettle! They keep appearing to me. I think I need to work with them again. I didn’t realize they were an antihistamine which I’ve been thinking about finding one so thank you for appearing in my inbox.
My plant medicine teacher used to say plants have a way to tell/show of what they could be used for. Like creating an allergic reaction to show us they’d be good for allergies.
Unless I’m REALLY trying I’m not stung by nettle which I find fascinating.
I had a teacher that transferred a tray with a few plants on it (including nettle) into my car and she broken out all over both arms. Yet I had to really unset the leaves (like punching/pinching the plant) to get stung, it’s left me pondering.
My grandparents would pick the tops, boil them to make a tea. The tea was a tonic for the blood. As a treatment for boils, they would be gone in less than a week.
I love that you wrote about nettles! I learned so many new things about this plant. Nettle can also be cooked and paired with other vegetables to make curry. It tastes sort of like spinach but more earthier, and it’s better to eat them when they don’t have flowers. It can be bitter otherwise. Nettle certainly has so many nutritional and medicinal value.
Thank you for writing this. This has been a question that has come up in my brain more times than I can think. And while have a good understanding of how and why, I so greatly appreciate your writing. On one hand as an avid mountain biker, I for sure have had more than my fair share of running into stinging nettles. On the other hand as a functional medicine provider specializing in mineral balances, and nutrigenomics you know nettles is a very regular compound in my arsenal. So just about every time I suggest or prescribe the use of nettles — this question comes into my mind.
I love that it is time for love letters to nettle!