6 Ways To Use Stinging Nettle

Have you ever wondered how to use Stinging Nettle?

Here are 6 suggestions:

• Pound bruised fresh nettle leaves with salt and apply three times daily will help those with external ulcers, boils, abscesses and infected splinters.
• Powdered nettle leaves applied to razor and glass cuts and nosebleeds will staunch bleeding.
• Make a hair rinse from infusing fresh plant material in a cup of hot water. Let steep and cool. Strain the infusion and add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. This will help balance over-oily scalps.
• Those with hemorrhoids will respond to the above infusion (minus vinegar) in a sitz bath form.
• As a tonic for adrenals and kidneys, try a cup of the infusion daily for six weeks and then three of four cups a week after that.
• In the spring, sautee leaves and eat like spinach, or add to rice or omelets.

Be Careful When Harvesting Nettles!!!!!

These plants are not called stinging nettles for nothing. They can really hurt. Be sure to wear your gardening gloves while harvesting. Nettles “sting” because of histamine and formic acid in the hairs that trigger the familiar allergic response.

Last night I harvested my nettle. Even with gloves on, she usually gets a piece of me. This time I asked her for permission first before harvesting. I know it sounds crazy but she was very nice and did not sting me!!! I thanked her for my bounty.

Always remember the Herbalist Golden Rules – 5 tips to help you harvest herbs.

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