Foraging Tender, Young Nettle Leaves

Nettles

Nettles are prime detoxifyers ideal for adding to any detox programme or just using for a general health boost at any time of year. They are one of the best spring tonic plants and are of course easy to identify and find anywhere. They have a general tonic and blood- cleansing action. They dispel any stagnancy that may have accumulated over the winter months

Nutritious and Delicious Nettle Recipes

Now is a great time to harvest fresh new nettle leaves when they are at their sweetest. Nettles are incredibly nutritious and can be used like any other green leaved vegetable such as spinach or kale. Nettle makes a lovely sweet herbal tea or add to soups, stews or anything you fancy to enjoy their health giving properties. Nettles are often used in Italian cookery and could be used for making fresh pasta or gnocchi.

Nettles are excellent for gut health and give food a lovely flavour.

Nutritional Profile Of Nettle

Nettle leaves are high in fibre, vitamins and minerals and antioxidant compounds including polyphenols and carotenoids. They are protein-rich, high in vitamin C, B vitamins, vitamin A, zinc, magnesium, calcium and iron.

Here are a links to a selection of Nettle recipes-

Wild Garlic and Nettle Soup

Nettle Pesto

Jamie Oilver's Nettle Ravioli

Nettle Spanakopitta

Medicinal Uses Of Nettle

Nettles have many medicinal properties, their actions include-

• Hypoglycemic

• Anti-inflammatory

• Analgesic

• Antirheumatic

• Anticarcinogenic

• Anti-proliferative

• Antioxidant

• Antibacterial

• Hypolipemic

• Antiviral

• Anti-colitis

• Anti-Alzheimer

Nettle has the following health benefits-

• Aids in pregnancy

• Improves blood circulation

• Improves heart health

• Improves gastrointestinal health

• Treats respiratory problems

• Strengthens the bones

• Reduces the risk of prostate cancer

• Helps in detoxification

• Aids in blood sugar control

• Helps prevent diabetes

• Boosts immunity

• Reduces inflammation

• Prevents kidney stones

Nettles are really quite incredible and safe to use at all stages of life. They are prime detoxifyers and help remove uric acid from the blood, improving joint pain and arthritis. They are excellent for anyone who has allergic symptoms as they have an antihistamine action too.

Spring Detox With Nettle

Detoxymel

Spring Detoxymel

Oxymel are herbs infused in a mixture of vinegar and honey, they are an ancient way of extracting the properties of medicinal plants in acid (oxy) and honey (mel). The process creates a sweet and sour formulation with the properties of the herbs combined with those of the vinegar and honey. They are often used for immune-boosting, sore throats and other respiratory issues. They are great for detoxes and for metabolic support.

Spring Detoxymel

Spring Detoxymel

Handful of fresh Cleavers

Handful of Fresh Nettle leaves

Handful of Fresh Violet Flower

1 part Raw Apple Cider Vinegar

1 part Raw Honey

Fill a jar with the herbs and cover with the vinegar and honey, leave to infuse for 1-2 weeks. Strain through muslin cloth and store for 6 months

Take as a tonic 1-2 tbsps daily or use with hot water to drink or as a dressing

You can play around with the ratio of honey to vinegar depending on taste

Alternatively, just infuse the herbs in the vinegar if you prefer (makes a tasty dressing) . The vinegar can be used cosmetically, for stings or mixed with flower water or witch hazel for skin toning.

Nettle Infusion

A simple fresh Nettle leaf infusion makes a pleasant herbal tea, sweet and mild in taste and full of nutrition and health benefits. Drink freely.

Nettle Infusion

Cosmetic Benefits of Nettles

Nettle is a common ingredient in many cosmetics and has the following benefits for skin and hair-

• Hydrating

• Nourishing

• Soothes eczema and other skin irritations

• Anti-aging

• Anti-seborrheic

• Astringent

• Promotes hair growth

• Hair conditioning

Nettle leaves are full of flavonoids, phenyl proponoids and caffiec acid and can be used for senstive skins.

They make excellent products such as toners and creams for acne-prone and sensitve skin

Nettle Leaf Powder

Drying and powdering nettle leaves gives you a slightly abrasive powder that can be used in a face scrub, mask or incorporated into creams and serums.

Nettles ready for oven-drying

Another great way to use Nettle Leaf powder is to add to food as a sprinkle for anything- salads, vegetables, pasta- the list goes on!

Add to smoothies or use in baking, stews or soups.

Nettle Powder

Gather some fresh Nettle tops

Either hang upside down by their stems in bunches in a shady, well-ventilated space for 3-5 days.

Or-

Spread on a baking tray and bake on the lowest oven setting for approx one hour, check regularly.

Using your fingers rub the dry leaves into powder then add to a pestle and mortar and grind until you achieve the desired texture.

Use an electric blender if you have one suitable

Store in a glass jar for up to a year

Nettle Oil

Nettle Powder Infusing in Oil

Nettle powder makes a quick oil for cosmetic use, infuse by adding to a jar and pouring over olive oil, leave to macerate for 2-4 weeks before straining and adding a drop of vitamin E oil to prevent spoiling.

To speed the process, make a heated infusion in a double-boiler, gently heating the powder in oil for several hours.

Use the Nettle Oil for hair and skin formulations. Apply directly to hair or skin or combine with other oils such as jojoba for hair conditioning and a couple of drops of essential oils like Rosemary or Peppermint to improve circulation to the scalp.

For the face combine with Rosehip seed oil to create an anti-aging treatment, add a couple of drops of Frankincense essential oil to gain extra anti-wrinkle benefits.