Get Stung by Stinging Nettle

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My favorite time of year! This week has brought signs of spring everywhere I go. Change is here, and it is welcomed!

A few exciting sightings:

• Daffodils in bloom
• Glorious, aromatic Daphne flowers
• Camelias everywhere in all colors
• Robins attacking a giant holly tree while at clinic (all the berries were gone within 8 hours!)
• More pregnant women showin their baby bumps
• STINGING NETTLES!!

I am a stinging nettle FREAK. Love it. I love seeing it, I love eating it, I love getting stung by it (well, not that much). It is a powerful, strong, abundant, nourishing herb.

Have you ever gotten stung by it while running through fields Laura Ingalls style? It's not that pleasant. These stinging hairs on the leaves serve as protection, gaurding the edibility and medicinal value. Just THINK. It must be an amazing herb if it can make you react so strongly (stinging sensation represents incredible vitality)!!!

Nettles are RICH in minerals (phosphorus, magnesium, sulfur, iron), flavonoids and carotenoids. It is used as an anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy, diuretic and tonic. Many helpful uses include:

1. Men with benign prostatic hypertrophy
2. Diarrhea, making a strong syrup from the root
3. Edema, Cardiac Heart Failure
4. Migraines
5. Colds, flus
6. Allergies- reduces histamine-mediated allergic reactions!!!!
7. Inflammation, swollen joints, ARTHRITIS
8. Pain relief
   

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What can you do with it?

• Harvest (WITH GLOVES) in the spring before they flower for they have more fiber. Here is a great video to show you how.
• Steam or saute with a little bit of grapeseed oil, add some garlic and onions and MMMM!
• Hang and dry, Infuse in hot water for a nourishing tea
• Great alternative to spinach or kale in stews, lasagna, soups, pesto, etc.
• Grow in your garden with other herbs and veggies. They help boost the nutrients in the soil (the above minerals and nitrogen, and is low in phosphates, encouraging beneficial insects).
• Visit a naturopathic physician in your area. They may prescribe it in a tincture, tea or capsule form.
  

Don't worry, the stingers are eliminated with light heat. You won't sting your mouth if you eat it after light cooking.

• If you DO get stung by fresh Stinging Nettles either in harvesting or running through the fields- rub with Rosemary, Mint or Sage leaves.

Happy Spring everyone!! (well, not fellow Sconnies- you have a bit to go yet...)