Stinging Nettles, Wild & Heirloom, Organic

Stinging Nettles, Wild & Heirloom

We spent our youth fearing Stinging Nettles. We try to avoid them while out walking, and being told not to touch them by our parents.

But now it seems we can’t get enough of these prickly little plants. What are the health benefits? And how to use them?

The nettle plant is full of nutrients that are really good for your health. They’re packed full of iron and vitamin C, magnesium and calcium. They have been used for years by different cultures.

You have to either cook or make tea from them. Once cooked, nettles taste like a mix between spinach and cucumber; fresh and wholesome. They make a great addition to dishes, adding a zing of flavour and a splash of colour. Nettle is great in sauces, risottos and soups.

Some Health Benefits of Stinging Nettles:

1. Immune boosting: Thanks to the iron, vitamin C and selenium, nettles give you a huge immune boost. Not only can that help fight against illnesses but can also give you an energy boost too, fighting fatigue and keeping your brain alert.
2. Boost circulation: The combination of vitamin C and iron is ideal for stimulating red blood cell production which helps your body’s circulation.
3. Help to reduce joint pain: Because nettle tea is a diuretic it helps to remove excess uric acid which, in turn, helps to alleviate joint pain. There is also evidence that, when applied topically, the nettle helps to reduce the pain from calcium build up in joints (arthritis).
4. Help to relax: There is a high concentration of B vitamins in the nettle leaf which can be released when infused in hot water. The B vitamins are a good one to take for stress and help to balance the contributing chemicals. Nettle tea is therefore often drunk from relaxation.
5. Good for skin & hair: It’s been said that nettle can be good for hair and skin; it supposedly helps to combat symptoms of eczema and reduces the appearance of spots. Thanks to the nettle’s natural anti-inflammatory properties, this could well be true. The plant contains a lot of chlorophyll, as an alkaline, this helps to cleanse and detoxify cells.

Please remember not to eat the leaf raw in a salad. There are plenty of recipes online for a variety of hot dishes, so see what you fancy. Think of the nettle leaf like spinach and use it in a similar way.