With the cooler weather upon us, nettles have been springing up in my garden. Although invasive and considered by many an “ouch” weed (if you’ve ever tried pulling nettles bare handed you know this lol) I consider them a gift even when they invade my carrot rows.
Nettles are full of antioxidants, help control allergies such as hay fever and help with inflammation among many things. I like to make a tea concentrate for my parents as it is great for arthritis and high blood pressure!
It is important to gather Nettles when they’re young. The taste is more pleasant and the sting is less. I always wear gloves when handling them because although they don’t feel as painful to me they make me itch.
Harvested this way you can always incorporate them into soups, tea and sometimes we even just steam them with salt and eat them that way. Some people even make pesto but I don’t find the flavor to my liking as such.
I harvest the tender plant ally while young and rinse throughly in cold water.
To make a nettle tea concentrate I pack the nettles into a glass or stainless container and pour just enough boiling water over them to cover the nettles completely.
I cover and let them steep this way for approximately 15 minutes. You do not want to over process them. Once cooled, I strain this concentrate in to clean glass jars. I keep this in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
A shot glass of this added to your daily smoothie or tea twice a day has such great benefits to your health! It’s a great plant ally to always have available in your home apothecary and garden! Have you tried nettles before?
May your home be filled with warmth, your pantry full and may you always have good health!
Xo,
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Please remember, although natural, this is a medicinal treatment and you should consult with your physician in case there’s a possibility of interfering with and medical condition or treatment. And please do not give to children without first consulting a medical professional. This is not intended to treat, prevent or cure any condition. Please consult with a licensed professional before administering this or other treatments you see online.