For centuries, nettle or stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) has been used as herbal medicine. The leaves sting unless dried, cooked, or freeze-dried.
Nettle provides antioxidants to help defend your cells against free radicals. It’s high in vitamins A, B, C, and K. Nettle also offers a great dosage of minerals like potassium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, and calcium. It’s also a powerful diuretic.
Health benefits of nettle
Things that are treated with nettle:
- Urinary problems, e.g. enlarged prostate
- Exzemas
- Gout
- Anemia
- Arthritis
- Joint pain
- Muscle pain
- Liver detox
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Inflammation
- High blood pressure
- High blood sugar
- Wound healing
How to use
You should pick nettles in the spring when they are most nutritious. They can be used for example in pesto, soups, salads, omelets, tea, and as a sprinkle in any kind of food.
Drying
Wash the leaves with fresh water (wear cloves so they don’t sting), and lay them out in a single layer on a surface. Let leaves dry out of direct sunlight until they crumble.
Leaves can be also dried in the oven. Heat oven to the lowest possible warmth and place leaves on a baking tray. Leave the oven door open a little and bake leaves for 3-4 hours.
You can also use a dehydrator if you have one. Wash leaves and pat them dry to avoid mold. Spread the leaves on the dehydrator’s trays and dry them at 95°F 12-16 hours.
Freeze-drying
Boil or steam leaves for 4-5 minutes, let cool, and freeze them in an airtight bag or container.
Enjoy!
If you are on any medication you must consult your healthcare personnel before using nettles.
Read also our article about dandelions.