The Stinging Nettle - Nettle Tea Benefits and Other Uses!

The stinging or common nettle grows abundantly in wastelands, woods, hedgerows, banks and gardens, and is native to Europe, North America, Africa and Asia. Although considered a weed by many, the nettle has many health benefits if taken as a tea, eaten (either cooked or raw) or as a lotion applied to sore joints or to the scalp. The nettle has had many uses throughout history, not only for it's health benefits, but also for the fibres in the stalks. In Neolithic times nettles were used to make string, and the Germans made their uniforms for the first world war out of nettle fibres!

The nettle is highly nutritious, containing a high concentration of vitamins, including vitamin C and B₂, minerals, and chlorophyll. Chlorophyll helps to build and replenish our red blood cells, boosting energy and improving well being almost instantly, and can be used to treat anemia. The nettle also helps boost the immune system, and it contains anti-inflammatories and natural pain relief, being of huge benefit to people suffering from rheumatic disorders and arthritis.

The yellow root of the nettle has been found to help treat an enlarged prostate, a condition that affects many men in midlife. After taking nettle root extract for a few months, both urine flow and frequency were shown to improve.

Nettles can be made into a lotion or rinse to use on the scalp, this helps with dandruff, improves growth and gives hair a healthy and glossy shine.

The nettle has also been found to lower blood pressure, lower blood sugar, and is a powerful diuretic. As with all herbal remedies, if you are currently on any medication then you should check with your pharmacist or doctor before taking nettle, particularly if you are already taking a diuretic or blood pressure medication, or if you are diabetic.

50g fresh young nettle tops

500ml boiled water

Steep the nettles in the boiled water, cover and leave for 10 minutes. Strain and serve. This will make 3 cups that can be drunk through the day to ease the pain of arthritis.

Nettles shoud be harvested from young plants in spring before they flower. Be sure to wear gloves to prevent getting stung, and cut the top 15cm from the plants. The tops will quickly regrow and can be harvested again throughout the season. The leaves can be dried to store for a year. The roots should be harvested in the autumn.

Alternitively, root extract and dried leaves can be bought from phamacies and health food shops.

450g fresh nettle tops

25g butter

1 medium onion

2 garlic cloves

400g potatoes peeled and chopped

150ml double cream

1 litre vegetable stock

grated nutmeg to taste

salt and pepper to taste

1. Melt the butter and gently fry the onion and garlic in a large pan for 10 minutes. Add the nettles and potatoes and fry for a further 2 minutes.
2. Add the stock, bring to the boil, cover and turn the heat down to simmer for around 15 minutes.
3. Puree the mixture with a handheld blender, then stir in the cream.
4. Season with the nutmeg, salt and pepper. Serve immediately

1 large bunch of nettle leaves, fresh or dried

500ml water

500ml white wine vinegar

1 tbsp lavender (or 10 drops essential oil)

The lavender can be replaced with any aromatic herb of your choosing!

1. Put the nettles, water and vinegar in a large pan, cover and simmer over a gentle heat for 2 hours.
2. Stir in the lavender (or herbs of your choosing) and allow to cool.
3. Strain through a sieve lined with fine weaved muslin, and filter into bottles.

This will keep for 1 month, use as a final, leave in hair rinse after shampooing, or apply to the scalp every other night to strengthen your hair.