Stinging Nettle Uses and Benefits | Mineral Rich Tea Recipe

When you hear the term stinging nettle, do you cringe? Or do you lean in to hear more about this amazing super food? I hope that after reading this post, you will be in the second camp because stinging nettle needs to become a part of your life!

What is Stinging Nettle?

Stinging nettle is just like it sounds. It’s a nettle plant that stings when you touch it! Ouch. But hear me out. Stinging Nettle or Urtica dioica (it’s botanical name) grows in the wild and can also be cultivated. The leaves and stems are covered with tiny prickles and when touched, break off into the skin. Stinging nettle doesn’t sting like a typical pokey brier. The prickles cause a local skin reaction that stings similar, albeit not quite as painful, to a wasp sting. Often a nettle sting takes a while to fade away. God knew this, however, and he made other plants that relieve nettle stings.

How To Relieve Nettle Sting

I was fascinated to learn about plants that were known to relieve nettle sting. And the amazing thing is that they often grow near stinging nettle! Yellow dock (a.k.a. curly dock) grows prolifically in the wild, along roadsides, and in disturbed soil, and greatly relieves nettle sting. Plantain leaf is another sting reliever. I have personally experienced yellow dock to bring relief to nettle sting. We have a lot of yellow dock growing near our garden, and when stung by nettle, I pick and bruise a leaf to apply to my sting. It definitely helps!

Stinging Nettle Vs. Dead Nettle

If you’ve been in the garden or backyard, you have probably come across another type of nettle. It is called Dead Nettle because it does not sting. Dead Nettle is a prolific weed and does not resemble stinging nettle in its plant structure or medicinal benefits. It makes great chicken and rabbit feed once you’ve weeded it from your garden.

Growing Stinging Nettle

After reading about the health and medicinal benefits of stinging nettle, I was eager to plant some in our garden. We ordered two plants through the mail from one of our favorite plant companies. Only one plant survived, but goodness gracious, did it spread! I had heard that you should plant stinging nettle in a place where it can spread so we gave it plenty of space.

We did not anticipate how tall and bushy our nettle would grow. Before long it started to block the garden walkway. When we decided to build a hoop house next to it, we didn’t think about it encroaching into that growing space. After letting it grow for two years, we decided it was time to relocate to a secluded spot away from any of our gardens! It survived the transplant and continues to thrive.

Give Stinging Nettle plenty of space to grow and spread! It has a prolific root system which makes new little plants pop up everywhere around the original plant. It is a great herb to have growing. Just make sure to pick a good spot for it!

Bundle Up!

It goes without saying that it’s a good idea to bundle up when harvesting stinging nettle! I am a silly sight when I go out to harvest this prickly jewel. Clad in an oversized rain jacket, pants, boots, and two pairs of rubber gardening gloves, I clumsily gather my harvest. Until it is fully dry and crushed or boiled, nettle keeps its sting, so always wear gloves when handling it.

Harvest at the Ideal Time

Stinging nettle should be harvested in the spring when it is tender and leafy. As the weather gets warm, the nettle will start to flower in preparation for making seeds. Once it has begun to flower, it has passed the time to harvest. At this point, it is not good to use. If the plant starts flowering during the springtime, you can cut it back and wait for new growth before harvesting. Cut the top few inches of the plant when harvesting.

Preserving Stinging Nettle

I like to dry my stinging nettle immediately after harvesting it. Keeping my gloves on, I tie it in small bundles and hang it up to dry. You can also lay it out on a flat surface and rotate it every day or two, so it dries on all sides. Make sure it is out of direct sunlight and that the area has good ventilation. When it is fully dry, pull the leaves off of the stems, making sure to wear protective gloves. From there, store the dried leaves in jars ready for recipes, tinctures, and teas.

How To Use Stinging Nettle

Stinging nettle can be used in a variety of ways whether fresh or dried. It can be cooked, added to soups or smoothies, made into teas, tinctures and vinegars, and used in recipes.

Stinging Nettle will lose its sting if dried and crushed, boiled, or cooked. To be safe, handle with care regardless of your preparation.

Stinging Nettle Health Benefits

Stinging nettle is specifically known for its antihistamine properties. It is a fantastic ally for allergies. It is also full of vitamins A, C, E and K, and minerals, including calcium, iron and magnesium. Stinging nettle is often used to aid the body in eliminating waste through the urinary system. It is also tonifying to the kidneys, it releives water retention, and promotes prostate health. For breastfeeding mothers, stinging nettle leaf may increase milk production. It is also safe during pregnancy and is often combined with red raspberry leaf tea. See our Stinging Nettle and Red Raspberry Leaf Tea Recipe below.

Grow It Yourself

Stinging Nettle has been a welcome addition to our farm! Learn from our mistake that you really should put it far away from your other plants and work areas because it is an invasive, prickly plant. In its own area, however, we are happy to have it around. Spring is in the air, and soon it will be time to start harvesting it! Do you have any in your area?

~Hannah