We recently removed a ton of Himalayan Blackberry for a couple of reasons: 1) It’s incredibly invasive and 2) those darn prickles hurt! I don’t mind being prickled but it hurts the toddlers when they get entangled in it. So guess what popped up underneath? Stinging nettle, a herbaceous perennial native to Canada.
The latin name of Stinging Nettle is Urtica dioica. And ouch, they really do sting. Just ask my sister Vanessa who refused to use the outhouse because, well, it’s an outhouse and accidentally fell on a patch of stinging nettle with her bare butt. LOL. It is the tiny hairs on the nettle that break off and readily sting, causing redness, swelling and itching. It can actually be quite painful. We will need to confine the nettle to certain areas of the property because we don’t want the tots or anyone else to get stung. When we forage for it, we are careful to use very heavy gloves.
You might be asking – why would they want stinging nettles? Like the blackberries, they have some AMAZING properties. Stinging nettle is extremely rich in vitamins and minerals, including high levels of Calcium, Manganese, Vitamins K and A. When I went to Holistic Nutrition school, the very talented culinary chef and nutritionist Andrea raved about the qualities they possessed and we made delicious soups and salads. In fact, this morning we blanched it and made nettle tea. Then, for breakfast I used the leaves just like I use spinach in omelettes. For dinner we will be having a hearty creamy nettle soup with whatever vegetables we have on hand.
Since at least medieval Europe, our ancestors would use stinging nettle as a diuretic and for joint pain. Interestingly, while it is normally painful to touch, if you put it on an already painful part of the body it can help alleviate the pain. It is also used for eczema, arthritis and gout. It has been really helpful with BPH Benign Prostate Hyperplasia and urinary issues. For many people it has greatly reduced Hayfever because of the antihistamine properties.
I just know I am going to be foraging a ton more of this and dehydrating it for future uses.
Becky is a Clinical Hypnotherapist, Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Landscape & Production Horticulturist, Arborist and budding Herbalist, who recognizes and specializes in the link between healthy soil, the gut and the brain. She also loves being the mom to her two wild and crazy kids Brooke & Connor whom keep her and her ever loving, creative husband Jay on their toes.
Becky is a Clinical Hypnotherapist, Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Landscape & Production Horticulturist, Arborist and budding Herbalist, who recognizes and specializes in the link between healthy soil, the gut and the brain. She also loves being the mom to her two wild and crazy kids Brooke & Connor whom keep her and her ever loving, creative husband Jay on their toes.
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