How to Use Stinging Nettle

Stinging nettle is well known for it's sting, hence the name. If you ever brush up against this plant in the wild, you will know by the stinging feeling on your skin. It grows in temperate regions worldwide and is full of healthy vitamins and nutrients.

 Key Actions

• Diuretic
• Tonic
• Astringent
• Prevents hemorrhaging
• Antiallergenic
• Reduces prostate enlargement
• Anti-inflammatory

Medicinal Uses

• Fever
• Arthritis
• Anemia
• Burns, Insect bites, wounds
• Allergies
• Cleansing
• Improve breast milk production
• Helps with heavy menstruation

Nettle can be prepared in many ways to receive it's benefits. The young spring greens can be cooked and eaten in soups or a sauté or used as a bandage or poultice. It can be dried for tea, for making infused oil, or for filling capsules. Nettle tincture is popular for helping with seasonal allergies and skin conditions.

How to Make Nettle Tincture for Allergies

1. Fill a glass mason jar with fresh nettles, sliced or crushed
2. Pour over top, 100 proof vodka, filling the jar completely
3. Let sit for 4-6 weeks, shaking daily
4. Strain out the liquid through a fine mesh strainer (or herb press) and bottle with a tight fitting lid.
5. Store in a dark cabinet for up to 5 years.
6. Dosage: 1/2-1 tsp, twice daily

Nettle Tea

1. 1 tbsp. dried and crushed nettle leaves
2. 1 cup boiling water
3. Pour boiling water over the dried nettle leaves
4. Allow to steep for 10-15 minutes to extract all the nutrients
5. Strain, drink twice daily

A handy tool for making tea with loose herbs or tea is a French press, preferably one that does not have any plastic like this one.