Alison Carrington,
Graduate Practitioner, Paua Clinic
Nourishing Nettle
A weed by any other name…
Nettle (urtica dioica), is commonly regarded as a weed and known for its irritating sting when touched….but there is a lot more to the humble nettle plant than meets the eye: it is hiding a vast array of medicinal properties. The herbal actions of Nettle Leaf tincture include: anti-rheumatic, anti-allergic, depurative (helping with detoxification and the elimination of metabolic waste products), styptic (helping stem bleeding when applied topically). It is used in conditions such as allergic rhinitis, osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis, eczema, urinary tract conditions and prevention of kidney stones, internal blood loss including uterine haemorrhaging and is a topical treatment for nosebleeds, burns and inflammation of the mouth and throat. Nettle Root tincture is used to treat conditions such as enlarged prostate.
Well-known American herbalist Susun Weed describes Nettle as being “rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, especially the critical trace minerals: anti-cancer selenium, immune-enhancing sulphur, memory-enhancing zinc, diabetes-chasing chromium, and bone-building boron”. Susun promotes the making of nettle infusions which are able to draw out even more of nettle’s cocktail of vitamins and minerals, including more than 1000 milligrams of calcium, 15000 IU of vitamin A, 760 milligrams of vitamin K, 10% protein, and lavish amounts of most B vitamins.
She goes on to say:”There is no denser nutrition found in any plant, not even bluegreen algae; and nettle is much more reasonably priced than any supplement.” It has often been referred to as being a multi-vitamin in a cup!
Nettle builds energy from the inside out by nourishing the adrenal glands, which could be considered “Energy Central”. Nettle smoothly and persistently carries optimum nourishment to every cell in the body. It is said that regular use of this deeply nourishing herb not only increases energy, it brings a shine and swing to the hair, strengthens fingernails, clears and firms skin, restores elasticity to blood vessels, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, counters incontinence, improves digestion, reduces cancer risk, and strengthens the lungs. There are not many herbs that have such an effect on the body!
Nettle builds energy from the inside out by nourishing the adrenal glands, which could be considered “Energy Central”. Nettle smoothly and persistently carries optimum nourishment to every cell in the body. It is said that regular use of this deeply nourishing herb not only increases energy, it brings a shine and swing to the hair, strengthens fingernails, clears and firms skin, restores elasticity to blood vessels, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, counters incontinence, improves digestion, reduces cancer risk, and strengthens the lungs. There are not many herbs that have such an effect on the body!
Nettle infusion is delicious over ice. It has a rich green herbaceous taste, and some like to add a little apple juice to sweeten it. Or stir in some miso, for a salty drink. Drink it within a few days, as nettle infusion doesn’t keep for long.
Nettle can also be made into a soup or a nourishing tea, and is available online through stores such as https://www.healthpost.co.nz.
There are so many incredible ways you can use nettle! There are 281 ideas on this Pinterest page about Foraging for Nettles.
- Bowlful of young nettle leaves
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Freshly ground pepper
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
Method
Wash and dry the nettles, stripping the leaves from any stem
Combine the seasoning ingredients in a large bowl, and toss in your leaves so they get a good coating.
Place on a baking sheet in a single layer. Note the leaves will still sting at this stage so DON’T be tempted to try one yet! Cooking the leaves will denature the sting.
Bake in a low oven at around 130ºC until they crisp up. How long they take will depend how much moisture is in them. These ones took 25 minutes, and were turned once.
Pop them in a bowl and tuck in. The nutritional yeast is full of essential vitamins, so is a great addition. These Nettle Crisps are very more-ish as well as being packed with nutrients, so you might say they are a guilt-free snack!
References
