Mother Nature’s Healer: Nettles

Amanda says: “The fresh young green leaves of dear nettle are gracing our hedges once more. Nettle magic is the gift of Mother Nature with her bountiful gifts. The flavour of nettle tea has been compared to that of mother’s milk, reminding us to sustain and nourish ourselves and bringing out the motherly love in all of us.

“Nettle has a beautiful transformative energy, turning infertile soils fertile. So, remembering that we are one with the earth, consider nettle for any reproductive / fertility issues.

“Astrologically, nettle is considered a masculine plant and is governed by Mars. Its element is fire. In Ayurvedic medicine, nettle energy is recognised as bitter, salty, cool and dry.”

“I usually take small scissors out when I collect mine, so I don’t get stung, and it helps promote regrowth. Please, only take what you need and with reverence, always asking permission. The more we connect with these beautiful plants, the more they will teach us. They are so full of goodness… very nutritious, taste a bit like spinach after cooking and are full of essential vitamins and minerals. Also by drying the leaves, you have a ready-made supply, all year. Nettles have antioxidants and detoxifying properties that help fight free radicals in the body to keep us strong and healthy.

“The plant itself is well known for producing a ‘sting’ on the skin. Blood flow is increased around the area which can in fact help with the reduction of inflammation. Inflammation is your body’s way of healing, fighting infections by trying to bring balance.

“Nettle root as a supplement shows some evidence that it can help with enlarged prostrate. It can also aid in lowering blood pressure by stimulating the nitric oxide production that helps the blood vessels widen.

“Nettles can stabilise blood sugar levels. They are a great liver tonic, complementing the natural detoxification process, protecting the liver from heavy metals, toxins and free radicals. They are also a natural diuretic and help flush the kidneys.

“They are highly nutritious plants due to the way their root systems draw up minerals from deep within the soil.

“In folk medicine, the simple nettle has been associated with many attributes, such as treating baldness, allergic rhinitis and rheumatic pain. Nettle tea has a cleansing, tonic, diuretic quality and is a blood purifier. Fresh nettle leaves used to be rubbed onto the skin in the treatment of rheumatism.”

Melt the oil. Sauté onions, garlic and celery until soft. Add chopped potatoes, carrots and stock, cook until soft, add the nettles towards the end, season to taste, add half a can of coconut milk. Blend and serve.

Nettle tea is easy to make. Just infuse the leaves in boiling water and strain. You may want to add a sweetener and of course you can mix it up with other herbs from the garden.

Did you know companion planting next to nettles can help keep certain fruits and vegetables disease-resistant and increase crops such as strawberries and tomatoes? They increase the oil content of other nearby herbs, for example peppermint, and they promote nitrogen-rich soil too.

The juice of the leaves can be used as a substitute for rennet used for curdling milks etc.

The seeds later in the year, are great to support the adrenals. Eat them fresh off the plant, freeze or tincture them.

A homeopathic remedy has been made from nettle called Urtica Urens. Here are some acute keynotes for using this remedy:

Stings. Swelling. Hives. Allergies. Nettle-type rash from allergies. Eruptions that burn with a violent itching. Ailments are better for rubbing, lying down. Worse after bathing and in the evening.

There is a wider remedy picture, but that would relate to dealing with chronic ailments – which require the involvement of a professional homeopath.