The Devil's Plaything

One of the many gifts of nature, also known as stinging nettle. Stinging nettles are often considered common pesky and irritating weeds found in moist shady places across Europe, North America and Asia. I often hear of mountain bikers abruptly coming across them here in Colorado as they may grow up to 4 feet tall in the deep summer months.  Their leaves and stems are lined with stinging hairs made of silica.  When those hairs touch skin, they break off and inject a variety of chemicals including histamine which is why we get the painful reaction!

I use stinging nettle in a variety of herbal tea recipes, specifically my Raspberry Leaf Tea which is a super nourishing and supportive blend. Useful for those colds, coughs and throat dryness. Here are some quick and easy useful facts for you to take home. 

1. They're chock full of nutrients! Vitamin A, C, K, some B as well.  Minerals like potassium, iron, and calcium.  And all of the essential amino acids. 

2.  They're helpful in reducing inflammation. If you've got arthritis or stagnation somewhere its a fun little game to se how many times you can prick yourself. ha! It actually relieves the pain through the topical stings - AMAZING!

3. Helpful in relieving hay fever allergies.  Yep, you got that right! Steep the leaves in boiled water for a few minutes and strain for some nettle tea or sauté some up for your next salad. One of my favorite sites, Witchipedia, has a great tip about freeze drying nettle tables for this very reason.  "Freeze-drying retains the sting chemicals which are helpful with allergic conditions."

4.  They're probably growing in your backyard.  Go look! I was telling my uncle David about them and he found them growing all over his property. Now he knows how to use them - how special! 

I just love this plant and it's magical powers. I have a few babies starting to grow and I can't wait to harvest them for future use!