Stinging Nettle is a weedy flowering perennial plant once known to Europe and now found worldwide. This plant has a medicinal history for use as food and tea, by using the leaves, stems and roots. The plant has rigid upright stems, with heart shaped leaves with pink or yellow flowers. The underside of the leaves and stem are covered with stiff tiny hairs which release stinging chemicals when touched.

For hundreds of years stinging nettle has been used for to treat painful muscles, joints, eczema, arthritis,  urinary tract infections, hay fever, insect bites, and sprains. The leaves and stems of nettle have been used historically to treat arthritis and relieve sore muscles.

Studies have also shown that stinging nettle has helped people reduce hay fever symptoms such as sneezing and itching.

Rich in phytochemicals, vitamins minerals, and antioxidants, nettle has shown to have some benefit for overall health and wellness.

Served as a tea, stinging nettle has a light earthy and nutty undertone, with a hint of sweetness.

And as always, be mindful of the food you eat. Avoid consuming if you have allergies or sensitivities to nettle or plants in the same family. Also void if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding because there isn’t enough information on its safety. Use with caution. The nettle may cause low blood pressure in some people.

Smell, Taste, Enjoy. Be Mindful of the Food You Eat!

References:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17509841/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844022010052