Stinging Nettle-Ade Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you prepare stinging nettle for medicinal purposes? ›

There are several ways to prepare the leaves once you've taken them home. You can wash and dry them by leaving them in the open air, or you can freeze-dry them for long-term storage. If you freeze the leaves, blanch them first. Boil them in water for 2 minutes, then soak them in ice water for 2 more minutes.

Various bioactive chemical constituents have been isolated from stinging nettle to date, such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, amino acid, carotenoids, and fatty acids.

The root and above ground parts are used as medicine. Stinging nettle root is taken by mouth for urination problems related to an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia [BPH]).

At this point, it's best to think of stinging nettles in a similar fashion to spinach in terms of cooking the leaves. Quickly blanching them in a pot of boiling water will deaden the sting. But leave them for too long and - like spinach - the leaves will wilt too far, and start to lose flavour, texture and goodness.

Put the nettle leaf and alcohol in pint jar, stir and cover with the lid. Label the jar with contents. Place the jar in a cool, dark place, and shake it daily. After 2-3 weeks, strain into bowl and use wooden spoon to press down on herbs left in strainer to get all the goodness.

Lavender can not only be rubbed onto the skin as an insect repellent, but it can also be used to treat bee or wasp stings, insect bites and nettle stings.

Stinging Nettle oil is usually extracted from the dried leaves and root of the plant. Once the oil is heat extracted, the stinging properties of the fine hairs disappear.

Avoid if you're pregnant or breastfeeding because there isn't enough information on its safety. Use with caution if you're elderly because of the potential of causing low blood pressure. And use stinging nettle with caution if you have diabetes because of the potential that it may lower or raise blood sugar levels.

How long do you boil stinging nettles? ›

Alternatively, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and blanch the nettles for 4 minutes. Cool them quickly in a bowl of ice water. Squeeze the nettles as dry as possible before sautéing them.

For allergic rhinitis, the recommended dosage is 600 mg of dried nettle leaf per day taken in three separate doses. In benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a daily dose of 360 mg of aqueous root extract taken as 3 divided doses is suggested for up to 6 months.

Nettle root is recommended for complaints associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). We therefore conducted a comprehensive review of the literature to summarise the pharmacological and clinical effects of this plant material.

Young leaves can be used to make curries, herb soups, and sour soups. The root of the stinging nettle is used to treat mictional difficulties associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia, while the leaves are used to treat arthritis, rheumatism, and allergic rhinitis.

Separate Leaves From Stalks

Make sure that all of the leaves are separated from the stalks. Drop the leaves into a sink or bowl of warm water and let them sit for about 10 minutes. This washing process by itself will remove much of the sting from the nettles.

Because the stings have to remain firm to cause the irritation, cooking the leaf instantly makes them safe – don't try to eat the leaf raw in a salad or anything. There are plenty of recipes online for a variety of hot dishes, so see what you fancy. Think of the nettle leaf like spinach and use it in a similar way.

Eating Stinging Nettle

You can eat the young shoots and leaves. They are best in the early spring. Once nettle goes to flower, it loses much of its nutritional value. You can also eat nettle seeds, gather them in late summer or early fall.

Tea made with Fresh Nettle:

In a pot, boil some water. Once boiling, turn the heat down to a simmer and add in your fresh (already cleaned) Nettle leaf, taking care to protect your hands as the formic acid is still present. Cover with a lid and let simmer for a few minutes.