My Love Affair with STINGING NETTLES

 What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Nettles……..Stinging Nettles…….Oh how I love thee…..let me count the ways and share them with you….

 Although I’ve known about this plant for many years, my love affair with Stinging Nettles began just a few years ago.   It was actually one of the first “weeds” I discovered over 10 years ago when I first moved onto my property.  Before I knew better, Nettles was a just a scary weed that I would avoid brushing against or weeding without gloves, lest I’d feel the sting and breakout in a rash.

My very first encounter with Nettles was casual.  About 25 years ago I was diagnosed with anemia and a friend recommended I try Nettles tea to bring up my iron levels.  So I bought some from the health food store and began drinking as a tea.   It wasn’t long before I had forgotten all about the Nettles of my past -  until I became pregnant. 

 I had read that nettles was a good tonic for pregnancy so I decided to buy some from the health food store and get back to drinking it again.  I also drank red raspberry leaf tea, another tonic recommended for pregnant women.  I was excited to discover that I had red raspberry leaves on my property and decided to try and harvest the raspberry leaves myself to make a tea.   However, it was inconceivable to me to even think of harvesting stinging nettles – ouch! 

For a long while I had read & heard of stories of individuals actually harvesting & eating wild nettles not just for medicinal purposes but for food.  Really?  I was intrigued. Well, it took me awhile but a couple of years ago I decided to FINALLY give it a try.  It had been on my “list of things to do” for a long time.
 

Honestly, I really wasn’t interested in sautéing or cooking with them since I prefer to eat a diet of mostly raw foods, especially when it comes to greens.  I had heard of people using them raw in smoothies.  Since I was already drinking green smoothies everyday, sometimes 2x a day, this just seemed like the most logical place for me to start.  And needless to say, stinging nettles & I have become good friends........that's how my love affair began. 

Yes, nettles and I have progressed - our “relationship” has evolved - in fact, I love nettles so much that I no longer need to wear gloves to harvest.  Just like any relationship, if you are gentle, respectful & kind, you will be repaid with gentleness, respect, and kindness (and in the case of nettles lots of health benefits too) – if not – look out – your gonna get stung!   

  

"Yard Crackers" - Nettles& yellowdock,
& numerous other seeds - "Garden Herb Cheeze Spread"
Nut Based w/Wild garlic Mustard & Chives

Other ways I love my nettles include incorporating them into my crackers, dips & desserts to add a unique flavor and lots of nutrition or dehydrated and used as a tea.   I love the smell and taste of nettles – for some reason it reminds me of green tea but without the caffeine side effects.   

Here’s a recipe for one of my favorite Nettles Smoothies

Wild Edible Green Smoothie

We serve this whenever in season at the B&B and during our retreats – besides being high in protein, loaded with vitamins & minerals; it’s also great for cleansing.  Wild edibles are much more nutrient dense than cultivated greens;  you may actually feel a “buzz” of energy after you drink this.  But what about the “stinging” of the nettles?  You can wear gloves to harvest – once blended, the sting will be gone.  And……you may also be wondering about taste…..absolutely wonderful….I refuse to eat or drink anything JUST because it’s “good for you” – no nose holding going on here. 

1-2  cups stinging nettle leaves

½ lambsquarters

1/2 cup kale

2 frozen bananas

1 cup strawberries or 1 cup papaya
1 cup pineapple (optional - for extra sweetness)

½ cup spring water

Blend all ingredients together in a *high speed blender pour and top w/bee **pollen (optional)

Note:  When harvesting Nettles, use just the leaves and only harvest BEFORE they begin going to seed.

 If you do not have access to any of these greens – you can substitute spinach, swiss chard, kale, or collards.

*You can make this in a regular blender, although I prefer using a Vita-Mix - (for more info on vita-mix please visit my website)

**Besides being loaded with nutrients, bee pollen is great for allergies & ENERGY - be sure to know EXACTLY where your bee pollen is coming from – how & where it is harvested is of the utmost importance.   I use local New York pollen gathered by hand from a small apiary which is eco-conscious and really loves their bees.  You can purchase this on my website or in my Etsy store if interested.  

Caution:  Do not harvest or eat nettles when they begin flowering or going to seed – can cause irritation to the urinary tract.   I am not giving advice or recommending anyone to eat nettles or any other wild edible.  Please be sure to get proper training or consult with an expert (which I am not).