Nettle
Nettle (Urtica dioica and Urtica urens) grows everywhere near human dwellings and reaches a height of 15 to 150 cm.
Coarsely toothed leaves, which have stinging hairs, grow opposite on an unbranched tetragonal stem.
Inflorescences are yellowish green and upward in the male plant, gray-green and pendulous in the female.
Nettle
Image source: 185808869 – stock.adobe.com
Family: Urticaceae
Nettle is a great medicinal plant and was chosen as the medicinal plant of the year 2022 by the jury of the NHV Theophrastus Naturopathic Association. The reason for the choice of the defensible plant was its versatility. Because from the nettle can be used therapeutically both the whole herb and fruit, and the roots.
It is equally versatile in the kitchen for consumption.
Collection time
Collected in the spring are the fine shoot tips and young leaves. Can be used for soups, spinach, quiches, pesto or in wild herb salads.
Parts of the plant used: Shoot tips, seeds
Collection time in detail:
- Shoot tips: From March to early summer, carefully (gloves) pinch off the young shoot tips from the stems.
- Seeds: Summer
Healing effect and application
Healing effect:
Blood forming, blood purifying, hemostatic, metabolism stimulating, antioxidant, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, vitalizing, milk forming, anti-allergic
Application in naturopathy:
Accompanying urinary tract diseases (flushing of the draining urinary tract), stomach and intestinal complaints, liver and gall bladder disorders, rheumatism, gout, high blood pressure, hair loss, menstrual problems, allergies, spring fatigue, iron deficiency, is ideal for spring cure
Ingredients: (selection)
- Very much protein
- Vitamin C
- Minerals including iron
Applications
Tea and envelopes
Ingredients:
- 2 tsp dried or fresh nettle leaves
- 250 ml water
Preparation:
Pour 250 ml of boiling water over 2 tsp of dried or fresh nettle leaves. Covered 10 min. infuse and drink unsweetened. Tgl. Drink 2 cups. Use in short courses for 3 to 6 weeks.
Recipe for the kitchen:
Supplement to muesli / yogurt
The nettle seeds are added, for example, over the muesli or mixed into the yogurt.
Nettle spinach
Sauté onion and garlic in butter. Add finely chopped nettle leaves and cook for a few minutes. Add a little soy sauce, lemon juice, salt and pepper. The nettle spinach can also be combined very well with goutweed.
The nettle loses its burning property, for example, if it is crushed with a rolling pin or poured over with boiling water. You can also blanch them briefly before further processing.
References:
Beiser, Rudi: Our edible wild plants. Kosmos Nature Guide 2018
Bühring, Ursel: Praxis-Lehrbuch der modernen Heilpflanzenkunde; Grundlagen – Anwendung – Therapie. Sonntag Publishing House Stuttgart 2005
Pahlow, M. Pharmacist: Medicinal Plants. Bechtermünz Publishing House Augsburg 2001
Schneider, Christine: Finding wild herbs. Ulmer Publishing House Stuttgart 2017
Recipe by Dr. Markus Strauß www.dr-strauss.net
