Sweet the Sting – Nettles!

Nettles are so well known that they need no description.
They may be found, by feeling, in the darkest night.
~ Culpeper (1561)

As our clever herbalist friend, Culpeper, has written above, Nettles (Urtica dioica) love you so much and they are quite expressive about it with their sharp-toothed sting.  These green leafy wonders are a valuable wild food and can help us reset our bodies through their cleansing and nutritive powers.  Like many of our herbal friends, we want to invite Nettles into our life for the long run to get their full effect.  Nettles strengthen the kidneys and adrenal glands, activate the metabolism, nourish the liver and blood, and improve elasticity of veins.  By bringing Nettles into your body you’re opening up to wild, vital energy. Allergies run and hide when Nettles ride in as they strengthen the outer membranes of cells which makes them less vulnerable to inflammation and allergic reactions. Nettles help to regulate the thyroid and warm nettle tea helps the body to release excess mucus from the lungs and colon and stops the cycle of mucous membrane hyperactivity.

They’re also chock full of vitamins and minerals including:

• Iron
• Potassium
• Silica
• Vitamin B
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin K
• Magnesium
• Zinc
• Protein
• And more!

Overall, Nettles want to nourish you –
with their sharp-toothed love of awareness
they remind you of your greatness
and your right to feel awesome!

So how can you incorporate their green-sting goodness into your diet?  Nettles are delicious juiced and in a bright green smoothie.  They have a light, grassy taste which I enjoy quite often in teas.  You can also dehydrate the beauties and blend them up into a powder, making your own wild super food powder! I also use Nettles for my hair, in an herbal vinegar rinse, for beautiful bounce and shine as well as to strengthen my nails by soaking them in a strong Nettle tea.  I eat them, drink them, soak in them – we’re pretty good friends.

Eat Wild – Eat Free – Eat Nettles!

If you need more ways to express your Nettle love, be sure to check out the Nettle Appreciation Society on Facebook started by the always sparkling Kate Magic.