A friend of mine who lives in Denmark, seems to know quite a bit about herbs and their usage.Its a detailed an intricate subject.
If you are suffering from a disease or have symptoms of a disease then you should seek medical advice and guidance Any information given here is for general interest only.
Last year I discovered nettle soup yum! and then nettle tea . Urtica dioica, is the scientific name for the humble herbaceous plant the stinging nettle.
Here is what A.K. tells us about stinging nettles:
“A very hardy weed! one of the first to come up in spring and one of the last to disappear when winter comes along.
When the nettle starts to pop up from the ground its the time of year when we may be feeling a bit stagnant after the end of the long winter months, this is the perfect time to implement the nettle into our everyday life.
At one time nettle was respected used for food and medicine. Today it is living rather a humble life and often people try to get rid of it rather than use. But the nettle has a lot to offer. High in calcium, chromium, magnesium zinc,iron selenium,potassium, trace minerals, proteins, vitamins A and C , Nettle is a good all round nourishing tonic herb that is very healing for our body mind and spirit.
The whole plant can be used for in the treatment of several conditions e.g gout, rheumatism,iron deficiency, exhaustion, hay fever allergies, it has a nutritive and positive effect on the liver, is considered an excellent tonic for the reproductive system for both men and women, also assisting women re PMS etc just to name a few.
The seeds are used as both preventative and curative for prostate issues, helping to fortify and tone , it s a super herb for the genito urinary system, good for vital energy , strengthening weak kidneys and is indicated for liver disorders.
Here are a few easy to make recipes for using nettle in your every day life. please only use nettles that are not growing beside a road close to car fumes. Fresh nettles can also be used as spinach and added to any soup or juice.
Nettle salt with fresh nettle
For 500 gram
3 handful of fresh nettle tops (more for extra colour and taste)
½ kg. Sea salt (fine)
Collect the small shoots with a glove or bare hands and rinse under cold water.
Bend all the fresh shoots to a green moose in a food processor. Add the salt and mix well. Spread the mixture out on a kitchen cloth and let it dry in an airy place for a few days.
To avoid lumps, you can grind the lumps in your hand a few times, while drying.
If you want to speed up the process, you can put it in the oven on very low heat for an our or so.
Pesto – rich in minerals
For one small glass:
Two handful top shoots from the nettle
¼ fresh chilli.
1 tablespoon of shredded parmesan.
1 tablespoon of walnuts or pine nuts.
Olive oil.
A teaspoon of sea salt
Fresh pepper
Rinse nettles and put chilli, parmesan and nuts in your food processor. Blend till it has an even mass. Add the oil till the consistency is smooth, but still firm. Taste with salt and pepper.
You can also make very cool things with dried nettle; like teas, steam baths and dried nettle salt .
For an extra boost to your skin, nails and hair you can make nettle juice.
Take 1 handful of dried nettles and 1 litre of boiled water. Pour the water over the nettles and cover up. Leave for 8 hours, strain and drink. Keep it cool in the fridge and drink within 2 days. If any leftover, give it to you plants. Best to use any herbs for a longer time period for best results.”
Enjoy your nettle
Posted March 22nd 2015
By Wendy Datta
Written by AK
Photos by AK
Spring In Nettles
