Uses for Nettles

Stinging Nettle - (Urtica dioica L. )

Is a called stinging because of it stinging hairs called trichomes on the leaves and stems, which act like hypodermic needles.  Grow's 3 to 7 ft tall in the summer . It bears small greenish or brownish numerous flowers.. The leaves and stems are very hairy with non-stinging hairs but many are stinging.

Time of Year: Spring through fall

 

Location:  All of North America

Click Here for map  If it does not grow in your area do a search to see what kind does

Nutrient Content

Vitamins A and C, magnesium and iron

USES 

Leaves , Roots and flowers

Add note: Wear glove when harvesting. They do not call it stinging nettle for nothing. It will cause an amazing itch. But....Cooking and drying neutralizes the sting of this plant. Very high in minerals, Iron, and Vit. A and C. Worth the work.  Chickweed or Dock Plant will stop the itching.
 
Editable uses

• Young leaves can be added to soups 

• Cook young leaves as a vegetable like a spinach. 

• The leaves can be dried and used in the winter

• You can make Nettle beer with the leaves

• Make a nice pesto sauce with them (I would add some garlic mustard to it) 

 

Medical Use

• Older leaves are used as a laxative.  make in a tea

• Tea from the root can help with digestive, urinary issues.

•  Make a paste and apply to arthritic areas it help relive pain

•  Also great for muscle aches.

•  Nettle is a histamine, So it help with allergy's. 

•  Steaming the teas helps with Asthma

•  Chew on the leaves after dental work, it will help stop bleeding.

•  Or rinse with the tea to help treat Gingivitis

•  The extract from nettle can help with diabetes

•  Dry and powder the root to help with thyroid issues...help maintain its health.

Other Uses

•     Nettles is a green dye from the leaves and yellow from the roots

•    Stems are used to make sting and cloth Click Here

•     And yes you can make paper with it by boiling down.

•     It also can be used as an ethanol

•     You can use the oil of the plant for dandruff 

•     Plant in your garden, it attracts good bugs.

•     Or even make a plant food by soaking the plant in water for a week and water your garden with it

•      The stems are strong enough to make great fishing traps