With the noises of the city muffled by a crisp, fresh white blanket, Edinburgh is even more magical than usual. Although I enjoy the snow and going out for a walk in it, pushing the stroller through choppy snow, leave me longing for spring to come and the opportunity to go out and forage again.
One of my favourite herbs is the often-misjudged nettle (Urtica dioica). Commonly seen as weed it is actually a very nutritive herb, full of minerals, vitamins, and a high content of vitamin C, which helps the proper absorption of iron. This makes nettle not only excellent nourishment for convalescent patients, but also a superb ingredient for a spring tonic, as it is a fabulous detoxifying remedy. Furthermore, it helps with hay fever, eczema, and asthma.
It is said that nettle might have been brought to Great Britain by Roman soldiers, to rub stiff limbs as they were told the British winter was harsh and unbearable. Rubbing nettle on the skin was also traditionally used for cases of arthritic ailments. This continues to be a prescription in modern times, as rubbing the affected area with nettle has shown to relieve pain for 4-8 days. A small (n=40) but randomised study concluded, that the effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs might be increased by stewed nettle.
If you’re chest feeding, consider having a cup of nettle tea, as it promotes milk production. This effect can be seen not only in humans, but also in farm animals. So, should you have chickens, you might want to give them some nettle too as it encourages them to be more prolific layers!
Next time when you are out walking, find a patch (away from the reach of dogs being emptied ;)) and gather the young leaves at the top, leaving the sturdier leaves behind. Remember to bring some gloves with you, to avoid the urtica rash. With that, you can cook yourself a delicious soup, or the aforementioned pancakes, or even prepare a hair rinse! Here are some recipes to get you started! If you try any of them out, let us know how it goes!
Nettle Soup:
- 250 g Nettle leaves
- 50 g oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 250g cooked potatoes, peeled and diced
- 900 ml milk
- 1 tsp each sweet marjoram, sage, lemon thyme
- 2 tbsp cream and parsley, chopped
- Wear gloves while washing the nettle and cutting off the stalks.
- In a saucepan heat the oil and glaze the onion.
- Add the nettle and gently stew for ca. 10 minutes.
- Add the potatoes, herbs and milk, simmer for further 10 minutes
- Let cool down and use an immerging blender.
- Return to pan over gentle heat.
- Serve in bowl and add cream and parsley.
- Serve with some home baked bread.
(From McVicar, J. 2009).
Nettle Pancakes:
- 15 g nettle seads
- 60 g rye flower
- Water
- Honey
- Mix the ingredient to a slightly thicker batter than for common pancakes.
- Back in the oven at 180° till golden brown.
- Give them to your child as a treat before going to bed.
- Let us know if it works ☺
Nettle Hair Tonic:
- 1 large bunch of fresh nettle tops
- 500 ml water
- 500 ml white wine (or apple cider) vinegar
- 1tbps of fresh or dried herbs:
- Chamomile or sunflower for blond hair
Sage or rosemary for dark hair - Calendula or marigold for red hair
- In a large pan mix the nettles, water and vinegar and simmer for 2 hours.
- Add the herbs and stir.
- Let cool down, strain through a muslin and bottle.
- Use within a week.
(From Iverson, Chr., 2019)
References:
Featured image: Atlas de poche des plantes des champs, des prairies et des bois, Paris :P. Klincksieck,[1894]. biodiversitylibrary.org/page/11018439
- Chrubasik, S., Enderlein,W., Bauer, R., Grabner, W., (1997) ‘Evidence for antirheumatic effectiveness of Herba Urticae dioicae in acute arthritis: A pilot study’, Phytomedicine, Volume 4, Issue 2, Pages 105-108,
- Frate Indovino (1981) Il nuovo Segreto della Salute; Erbe e Cure di Frate Indovino, Perugia, Edizioni Frate Indovino
- Grieve, M. (1937) A Modern Herbal, Great Britain, Mackays of Chatham
- Hoffmann, D. (1996) The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal, USA, Element Books Limited, Vermont, Healing Arts Press
- Iverson, Chr. (2019) The Hedgerow Apothecary, London, Summersdale
- McIntyre, A. (2019) The Complete Herbal Tutor, London, Aeon Books
- McVicar, J. (2009) Jekka’s Complete Herb Book, Great Britain, Kyle Cathie Limited
- Ody, P. (2017) The Complete Medicinal Herbal, New York, Skyhorse Publishing
- Mills, S.Y. (1991) Out of the Earth: The Essential Book of Herbal Medicine, London, Viking Arkana