Nettles!

🌿In California, we get our young nettle shoots in the early spring, but I know places where it's rainier, that get them for a longer period of time.

🌿 Nettles are mostly known for their needle like hairs that can easily penetrate the skin, which is the reasoning behind why they are called stinging nettles.

🌿 The stinging property of the nettle goes away when submerged in boiling water for a few seconds.

🌿 Nettles are known for a number of health benefits.

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🌿 Young nettle shoots have a high content of iron, silicic acid, and vitamins A and C.

🌿 Nettles are said to be good for kidney disorders and improving the function of the liver, gall bladder, and intestines.

​🌿 I’ve mostly used the nettles in tea as a tonic or blood builder when I’m a little anemic, or around my menstrual cycle.

🌿 An old practice to abate gout and rheumatism is to thrash the afflicted joints with nettle shoots. (I haven't tried it, but I would imagine it would increase blood flow to the area)😉

🌿 Pressing the boiled leaves against a wound will stop the bleeding and purify the blood.

🌿 In addition to using them in a tea, the young shoots can be cooked and eaten like other greens. I've sautéed them by themselves, or used them in pasta dishes and soups.

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Have you used nettles?  
​What is your favorite way to cook them or use them medicinally?