21 Comments
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Bergamotte's avatar

Thanks for this comprehensive writeup on a fantastic herb, Gavin! The benefits of nettle are well known in Mediterranean countries, particularly Cyprus—old mountain villagers know to “stab” their knees with the fresh leaves to ease joint pain. And nettles find their way into soups here, adding beauty (color) and nutrition to cooked foods.

Gavin Mounsey's avatar

Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment.

That is interesting about the “self-stabbing” knee pain medicine. I have experienced that effect on the finger joints so I know it works.

Nettle stuffed ravioli or nettle wontons are also yummy :)

Josie Beug, DVM, CVA's avatar

She is one of my favorites!!

HoldingTheLine(HTL)'s avatar

I had no idea. That's one thing we have plenty of, probably only second to Virginia creeper LOL.

Sandy K's avatar

Thank you for this in depth study! I just discovered spring nettles growing on the edge of the back yard yesterday and wanted to learn more about the spiritual meanings. 🌿🙏

Gavin Mounsey's avatar

You are most welcome Sandy :) thanks for reading and taking the time to comment.

Ahh yes so perhaps they arrived in your yard to offer their protective gifts?

I had them appear along my fence against the yard of a neighbour that our dog did not trust and barked at so they may have been energetically protecting us in some way there.

I was grateful they arrived as I now have endless tea and soup Ingredients!

Annie Waters's avatar

Beautifully written, very attractive and engaging writing style, makes me want to have nettles around, despite the obstacles of summer heat.

Carnie outlaw's avatar

I actually used nettles to make compost tea. They breakdown easily and the vegetables plants love it!

Ea Himmelbjerg 🌿's avatar

Hi Gavin

Thank you for being a fountain of knowledge🌸 I have the opposite problem....nettles are disappearing from my garden. I am lucky that I have access to a public area where there are more, but they are also disappearing there. The land is fertile soil not having been polluted by amy chemicals or sprays. No idea why nettles are disappearing. Any tips for growing more??

I find them the tastiest when they are 2-3 cm(aound an inch). They have a hazelnutty taste at that size. That taste is gone when the plant grows beyond the 3 cm.

John Gonter's avatar

The ideal plant for soothing arthritic hands via self-flagellation. And you can eat them after you’re done.

Carnie outlaw's avatar

Do you flog yourself with them?

Gavin Mounsey's avatar

not regularly, but I have tried it when I had a damaged tendon in my hand and it worked well for mitigating pain

Carnie outlaw's avatar

I’ve picked them before without gloves and the stinging numbing sensation help with my carpal tunnel.

Ashley Rodriguez's avatar

I have never seen a more extensive resource for nettles! Amazing work.

Geri White's avatar

We are just seeing the nettles rising a little higher above the grass in the pasture and LOVE nettles pesto every year at this time! Planning on making it this week.

Justmefelinefine's avatar

Another winner. I love nettles, thank you for even more ways to love them and as always learned something new!

Barbara Sinclair's avatar

I've yet to find any Nettles growing here. I did throw some seeds out last year. I'll have to keep an eye out to see if any will show up!

I stumbled upon some Motherwort growing in a random spot the other day! Super excited about that. :)

Thanks for another comprehensive article, Gavin. 💚

Carnie outlaw's avatar

The areas I find them growing wild where I live are usually in the more shady wetter areas.

Wolfgang Exel Watson's avatar

Stinging Nettle salad (baby Nettle) is a very powerful green.

Ambria's avatar

Thank you for this most informative post. I appreciate being able to learn so much about different plants and their medicine. I need to see about growing some Nettle in my backyard.

The BarefootHealer's avatar

Nice post on one of my favorite plants for health of humans and soils.

A wonderfully nutritive and remediating plant with many benefits, for many conditions, in both males and females. 👏👏🤗