Stinging Nettle – Materia Medica
Nettles is an Herb widely known, and known well, Stinging nettles. Famous for their bite when we brush up against them, or worse… fall into a patch as a kid. OOF. But truly they are so much more than just a nuisance, their bite is a part of the magic and nourishment that is found in this easy to identify, and powerful herb. Urtica diocia is an herb that I use almost every day, it is found in majority of the remedies offered here at the farmacy and I grow them all over the gardens. Stinging Nettles as a supplement, will remind you not to judge the bite at first experience, there is much more than just the Sting of the Nettle…
When is harvest, best?
In the gardens I tend to get 3 cuttings of stinging nettles each season, which is so great because as the season goes on, there are a few different ways to work with stinging nettles for allergies, detox, and nourishment. The first growth cycle is perfect for making food, as the leaves are SO tender, they make great pesto, pizza sauce and even sauteed. Once the plant is exposed to heat the sting is naturalized, so you are getting all the good without the bite. As they grow they become a more versatile medicine through summer and into the fall.
Not only are they tenacious, but are relentless in their remedies, and most of the information I find out there, stops the recommendation to work with stinging nettles for all ailments after the tender spring growth, in my experience, and understanding of the plant, you are missing out on so much of the potential that stinging nettles offers especially when it comes to allergies, detoxification and even the nutrient profile of stinging nettles.
Their list of uses, like most medicinal herbs, goes on and on, and similar to hemp in strength, appearance, and nutritional value. Their stalk can be woven into rope or made into cloth, this making Nettles diverse in use for the homestead beyond just the apothecary and farmacy; truly a dynamic plant.
When harvesting the nettle late in the season, you have a lot more plant material to work with along with the foliage and seeds, the stalk will be prime for making materials. This leading to your harvesting being even more multipurpose, and more sustainable, since you will ultimately be spreading seed as you chop those plants down. The leaves will not be as tender for eating in your foods, but when using the whole plant for extracts you are going to get more out of the whole plant.
It’s Beauty is More than Its Bite
The appearance of Nettles is striking when harvesting late in the season. I have seen it growing well over my head in the Rockies. In the North West, it will get so tall, more rain is better! Because this woodland lovely is so rich in Chlorophyll, it is a stunning green, especially when it grows with it’s feet wet. The beautiful leaves are alternating around the tall stalk, and are very deeply serrated, though the only true identification you need beyond these is the sting, the hairs coat the entire plant, and just the slightest brush up against it will send the formic acid right into your skin. Arnica takes care of this rather well, I have timed my Arnica Pain Balm and within 20 minutes, the raised bumps from some nettle bites were nearly gone completely… and no burning either.
Along the edges of the stem and stalk are the sure telling notion that you are looking at nettles. Little hairs, spiny almost thorny but softer than that will be lining the entire plant. These soft little spikes are a sure sign of Stinging Nettle. When you look at them under a microscope, they are barbed. Not only does this action prick the skin, it houses a sort of venom. Showing you where Nettle gets it’s bite. If you brush them lightly. You can get away with experiencing the plant with out a sting. But get in a rapid flow of harvesting these tall stalks, you are sure to be stung.
It is not devastating, but when pricked relentlessly, expect your skin to be burning for many hours. Tingling like pins and needles. If you are sensitive like me, you will have welts, and be very red. I have walked out of harvesting burning and itching like mad. The kind of itching that wakes you up in the night, and makes it difficult to shower! So be mindful, quiet and delicate when you are working with this plant. Respect goes both ways, and it is sure to reciprocate the gesture.
Besides it’s height. When nettle has gone to seed it becomes majestic. AT the top of the stalk where the leaves are tighter. You will find tassels of seeds dangling from the stems. I love this appearance, it makes nettle look so elegant. Decorating stream beds, and creeks. While also giving it’s offering to the forest floor. More foilage please! Let’s get this under growth party rolling. Leaving it’s mark whenever the wind blows.
If you look very closely at these tiny seeds. You will see individual little balls. At the end of the seed pod, when they open up, a tiny tuft, looking like a barb will be perched at the end. They fly easily, and I love to shake them out when I grab a section of stalks. If they fall in the water, only traveling in the stream to let the stand grow and travel. This making late season harvesting even more thrilling.
Sustainable Harvest
Early fall houses seeds and roots ready to become medicines, when you are working with the rhythms of the forest our impact becomes beneficial instead of detrimental. When a plant we love has gone to seed, we can spread seed as we harvest, I do this in the farmacy gardens as well, and it works BEAUTIFULLY. When in the wild, these practices will ensure that your stand of wild stinging nettles is going to grow, and expand from what your originally found. I have seen this happen from my harvesting in the same places year after year. I watch and document these stands of plants, and because I am tending to them, as the garden needs to be, the wild plant populations I visit are expanding and thriving.
Farm Life
I originally wrote this post 5 years ago… and I am happy to report that 85% of the plants that I work with in the farmacy, are grown here at the farm… just for fun… I am going to leave this paragraph, because seeing this come to fruition, is magical for me and our community!
The next phase of sustainability involves taking seeds and roots to the farm. I full believe that one day the garden I am beginning will house the main bulk of my harvesting sapces. Trees, shrubs and herbaceous perennials of this region. Some harvested from the wild, and some from cultivated crops throughout our country. Restoring native populations and cultivating a community crop of medicines of the wild lands that we love.
from the blog archives of ECA… this is so cool, as it has come to pass here at the Farmacy Gardens of Enchantment Creek Apothecary! I counted the species this last year, in preparation for the retreat… there are 90 different medicinal plants, foods, and flowers growing on this 3/4 acre space…
Stimulating and Nutrient Dense
‘Let thy food be thy medicine. And thy medicine be thy food”
HIippocrates – 460 BC
Not only is our Nettle plant a marvelous medicinal, it is prolific in it’s production of nutrients. Stinging nettles can be relied upon in survival situations in the forest, and I consider it the multi vitamin of the woodlands.
There are many nutrients in Nettles that create it’s sustenance, color, and strength. Being a well rounded food it is high in many minerals, vitamins, amino acids, and omega oils. Each of these aspects of nutrition add to its’s medicine. The high mounts of iron and chlorophyll are responsible for it’s strengthening the blood and nervous system.
Along with enzymes and minerals, the nettle is encouraging to a strong digestive tract. Electrolytes keep our muscles contracting and relaxing so if we are found in that survival situation. We can keep on keepin on! Along with the nourishment, you won’t have to worry about feeding your muscles either. Nettles are incredibly high in protein and can be relied upon for a sustainable source of this vital nutrient.
Vitamin Vinegar Bitters
Each aspect of this nutritious plant lead to proper functioning of the body. When you start to explore our Herbal Offerings at Enchantment Creek, Nettles is a repeat ingredient. Most of my Vitamin Vinegar Blends have nettles in them, this because vinegar is an excellent menstruum for extracting minerals, and vitamins.
These bitters are not only encouraging to the digestive system in working well, the high dose of chlorophyll acts as a passive detox to your system. Taking heavy metals, metabolic wastes and other substances down to the liver to be processed and excreted. Then you have the added benefit of the giant boots of nutrients along with all of the digestion and detoxification support. Specifically nettles are a nutritive tonic in water and vinegar, they are an excellent remedy for the kidneys with diuretic action, stinging nettles are a go to for seasonal allergies, and they can also be relied upon as a mild laxative.
Herbal Actions of Nettles
A general Qi strengthener, nettles are also an alternative, an old herbal word meaning ‘to clean the blood’. This is the ultimate way to keep your body clean and clear of all sorts of toxic wastes, even metabolic wastes that are created from actions within the body. This is most likely related to the Chlorophyl that stinging nettles are rich in that acts as a passive detox to rid the body of heavy metals, and water soluble wastes, delivering those substances to the liver to then be excreted through the bowels.
With stinging Nettles helping to strengthen the liver and gallbladder through it’s digestive bitter properties and chlorophyl detoxing, your body is generally more clean and clear, thus less waste for the liver to handle, this paired with the homeopathic like action of the formic acid, which stimulates a histamine response, stinging nettles are an excellent remedy for seasonal allergies.
Each of these actions are showing to be nourishing and encouraging to vital energies of our bodily systems. Nettles are an excellent addition to daily tea time, vinegars, and meals. Adding nourishment and a powerful healing ally to many tissues in the body. Though specific to digestion, the urinary tract and the respiratory system, Nettles will lead to overall vitality of our system by creating balanced states in our eliminatory organs.
