Foraging in nature feeds my soul, we are so fortunate to be surrounded by such abundance

My research of native plants has taught me that Stinging Nettle is a superstar!

Drinking the herb tea or eating the cooked fresh leaves builds the blood; strengthens the lungs, hair, nails.  It has been used to relieve seasonal allergies, who knew?!

So I’ve been out harvesting nettle VERY CAREFULLY!

It probably goes without saying to wear gloves, the sting can be painful.  Snip nettle stem about an inch above ground to as not to destroy the plant and always leave a few, we want to continue to harvest from these sites in years to come.

  Indigenous peoples would often leave a little gift such as tobacco when harvesting to give thanks to Mother Earth, I love this tradition and have adopted it.

It is always important to harvest respectfully.   Once cooked or dried, nettle will no longer sting.

Steamed nettle tastes a little like spinach and is a nutritional powerhouse supporting kidney, and adrenal burnout and  contains more protein than just about any other plant.

I set my harvest on a rack in my warm kitchen to dry and make an herbal infusion to use in my salves or use the dry leaf in tea.  Add a little peppermint and it’s really tasty.

*Please note these views are my own, and based on my research.  I am not a health care professional.

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