Stinging Nettle ( Urtica dioica )

ruralherbalist
Jul 12, 2022
1 min read

Stinging nettle is readily available in New Zealand Wildcraft and is so nutritious!

I don't understand why we don't use this mofe regularly? Yes it's a little stingy so it's best to wear gloves wirh foraging for nettle. The nettle family’s needle-like hairs are hollow and loaded with toxic histamine, serotonin and formic acid capable of causing pain, itching and inflammation when a fragile silica tip pierces skin.

How do we get rid of these itcy little spikes?

The cooking process breaks down the stinging hairs, and the leaves are versatile and can be used in a variety of ways, including soup, pesto, beer and tea.

Can stinging nettles be eaten raw?

Yes, but It's not recommended that stinging nettles are eaten raw – as they'll sting you!

Oouch!

So what are the benefits of eating nettles?

Nettle leaf is a rich source of antioxidants, which are needed for reducing the number of free radicals in your system. Vitamin C, for instance, is a powerful aid to the immune system.

Leaves of nettle plants are rich in a number of nutrients, including:

vitamins C, D, and K
minerals such as iron, selenium, zinc, and magnesium
fatty acids, such as alpha-linolenic acid
antioxidants, such as polyphenols, carotenoids, and terpenoids
sterols

Because nettles contain numerous important vitamins and minerals, consuming nettle tea may help people get more of them. Its iron content, in particular, may help people who are prone to anemia and other nutritional deficiencies.

You can purchase organic stinging nettle here at https://www.theruralherbalist.com/product-page/nettle

Why not try it in a refreshing herbal drink?