Another weed that just might be going unnoticed (just like dandelions!) is nettle.
Nothing short of a health-boosting herb. Nettle has — since ancient times — been an important source of food, fiber, and pharmaceuticals.
Wild nettles contain an array of vital nutrients including: tannic acid, lecithin, chlorophyll, iron, silicic acid, lime, potassium, phosphorus, sulfur, sodium, chlorine, and vitamins A + C.
To give you an idea of just how powerful this singular plant is, nettle has the potential to treat the following ailments – via the consciouslifenews.com
- Nettle stimulates the lymph system to boost immunity
- Nettle relieves arthritis symptoms
- Nettle promotes a release from uric acid from joints
- Helps support adrenal glands
- Promote milk production in lactating women
- Relieve menopausal symptoms
- Helps with menstrual cramps and bloating
- Helps break down kidney stones
- Reduce hypertension
- Support kidneys
- Helps asthma sufferers
- Reduces inflammation
- Minimizes skin problems
- Lessens nausea
- Cures the common cold
- Helps with osteoarthritis
- Alleviates diarrhea
- Helps with gastrointestinal disease, IBS, and constipation
- Reduces gingivitis and prevents plaque when used as a mouth wash.
- Has been shown to be helpful to in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
- Destroys intestinal worms + parasites
- Supports the endocrine health by helping the thyroid, spleen and pancreas
If harvesting wild nettle, be sure to cover up. I wear a sweater or jacket and gloves. If you get stung, nettle juice will ease the stinging of the rash brought on by contact with the plant’s own bristled leaves!
Using a glove and knife, gather the young, tender plants in April or May when they’re about six inches tall, wash them in running water, place them, still dripping, in a saucepan, steam the greens, covered, for about 15 minutes then chop and serve the vegetable with salt, pepper, and butter, olive or coconut oil.
You can also dry the leaves on a rack or tray on the countertop until no moisture remains. Store in glass jars to enjoy a medicinal tea throughout the year. I love mixing nettle with peppermint.
Nettle can be found in most health food stores – either bulk or in the herbal tea section.
I believe this plant to be one of the most powerful foods available today.
