How to Use Stinging Nettle

Would you like to learn how to use stinging nettle to create some herbal remedies? 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

You might find stinging nettle growing in the wild or you can cultivate it in your garden. Keep in mind that it will spread so plant it in a location where you are ok with it spreading. If it is in your garden, you may have so much of it that you are wondering how to use stinging nettle. If you don't have a garden or cannot find it locally you can purchase some online here.

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
  • Can be used as a bandage or poultice.
  • Dry the leaves for tee
  • Use the dried leaves to make an infused oil
  • Powder the dried leaves to make capsules
  • Use fresh leaves to make a tincture (this post explains in detail how to make a tincture with any herb.)

Nettle tincture is popular for helping with seasonal allergies and skin conditions.

how to use stinging nettle

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

How to Use Stinging Nettle for 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 15-30 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.

Stinging Nettle Tea Benefits

Stinging nettle is a good source of some vitamins and minerals Making stinging nettle tea is an effective way to extract and benefit from the vitamins and minerals it contains. A 1/4 cup of dried nettle weighs about 5 grams.

In 5g of nettle, it contains:

  • 25 mg calcium
  • 17 mg potassium
  • 25 mcg Vitamin K
  • 100 IU Vitamin A

Stinging nettle can be used in larger quantities in soups to really take advantage of these vitamins and minerals.

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