Nettles
March 2012
©Anne Calzada Herbalist

Nettles (Urtica diocia)
Urticacae
Energy: Cooling ,drying, slightly bitter and salty.
Parts Used: Leaves and seeds.

This is my favorite medicinal plant! When I first met Nettles, I knew that she was my ally. She has elements of fire and water, which is me.  I see her as a fire Spirit that nourishes my fire by balancing my water element.  To me she is like the High Priestess of the major arcana in tarot. She commands your respect and attention. With so much tender nourishment, she protects herself with her sting. Even her sting is powerful medicine! You will never forget her. Ever.

Nettles have been used endlessly for food and medicine. It is an extremely replenishing plant, lending numerous vitamins, minerals and trace minerals. Nettles contains calcium, magnesium, iron, silica, potassium, zinc and so much more... This plant is truly an ancient and modern day super food!! Nettles contain antihistamine properties. Used regularly before the allergy season hits, you will be ahead of the game!

I believe in using this plant as an infusion, or if you are lucky to have her fresh, that you can make some dishes with her. Dishes like, spanikopita, stews, soups, quiche, eggs....etc....use Nettles as you would Spinach, except as a salad, because of those formic acid in the little hairs, found underneath the leaves. If cooking with Nettles, be sure to cook thoroughly or steam through properly first before sauteing with eggs, as any raw leaf will contain the formic acid.  I have seen David Wolfe eat raw Nettle leaves, leaving a small sting in his mouth that lasted about 30 seconds. I have never eaten the raw leaves, but I want to try one this Spring. More on that later and not recommended to eat raw Nettles. The only exception for me would be to juice them! Pulverizing them renders the formic acid harmless! Once dried, the formic acid dries out and is no longer an issue. The seeds have been used in tincture form to boost the adrenal glands.

Traditionally, this plant has been used by people who have arthritis. It is called Urtification. The immune system  responds, having the adrenals releasing cortisol which is anti inflammatory and pain reducing. If you are stung and didn't intend on using Nettles for arthritis, you can soothe your sting with plantain leaves or a yellow dock leaf poultice. They are usually found near each other!
Just as it has been used to make rope or paper, its strength relays to its gifts for you! Nettles rebuilds and revitalizes your adrenal glands, which are the seat of your physical power. Your fight or flight energy. It cleanses and rebuilds your kidneys, which house vitality, vigor. It supports the endocrine system,the skeletal musculoskeletal system, the liver, the kidneys, the skin, pregnant or menopausal women.
 This plant is a blood cleanser with a very high chlorophyll content. Deep immunity is yours with Nettles as she rebuilds bone marrow. Your hair, skin and nails will become stronger, clearer and more lustrous! She is definitely one of my beauty secrets!
My favorite way of consuming Nettles is to use her as an infusion. I like to make infusions before I go to sleep and then they are ready in the morning or I make one in the morning and then it is ready in the afternoon. You can even use your left over infusion as a hair rinse or feed the rest of the infusion to your plants! They will love that! I enjoy her as an herbal vinegar as well! Nettles will enrich your garden soil. Other plants will thrive from her mineral rich chlorophyll! I love this warrior plant so much!!