Author: Mónika Silye

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Nettle Mulled White Wine

We are coming to the end of the year 2021. We have grown so many nettles, cooked many dishes out of it, drank countless cups of nettle tea and nettle beer, used nettle for dying, we fertilized our plants with it, we got to know its historical uses, like magic spells, clothes, and furthermore its healing powers.

If everyone would have known nettle’s healing properties, it would be the most produced crop worldwide like cane sugar, corn, wheat, apples and potatoes. There would be too many healthy people on this planet. Imagine a world where there is no allergy, no high blood pressure, no anemia, no hormone imbalances, no dandruff, no baldness, no vitamin deficiency, no digestion problems, no joint pain and no cancer. It’s hard to believe that a common weed can solve all these problems, isn’t it? But the common stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is capable of all these things.

Now, let’s prepare the year’s last nettle beverage: Nettle Mulled White Wine.

Ingredients:

  • A bottle of white wine (750 ml)
  • 2 cups of water
  • 3 tablespoons of dried nettle leaf
  • ½ cup of sugar
  • A small piece of ginger (the size depends on how much you like the taste), chopped
  • 1 organic lemon, sliced
  • 1 organic orange, sliced
  • 6-8 cloves
  • 3-4 cinnamon sticks
  • 3-4 star anise

Preparation:

Combine wine and water, bring them to boil. Add the nettle, ginger and sugar. Let them simmer when you add lemon and orange. Cook for about 15 minutes, then give it the spices. Remove from heat. Strain it into mugs and enjoy this healing warm drink!

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Nettle Powder

The health benefits of nettle (Urtica dioica) are absolutely amazing! We can use the roots, stems, leaves, flowers and seeds of nettle for different purposes. The leaves and stems are covered with stinging hairs that stop most people from using nettle. 

How to use nettle when you don’t want to touch them in the first place? And how can you add nettle to your eating plan if you don’t grow your own fresh stinging nettle? 

One of the practical forms of using nettle is leaf powder. The powder made of dried nettle leaves is actually a concentrated form of nutrients contained in these leaves that are rich in minerals (calcium, potassium, silica, sulfur, magnesium, iron, copper), vitamins (vitamin A, vitamin B2, vitamin B9, vitamin C, Vitamin D, vitamin K), amino acids, proteins, polysaccharides, plant pigments (chlorophyll, carotenoids), fatty acids, sterols, tannins and many other phytochemicals.  

Nettle leaf powder can be used as a nutrient-rich food additive in sauces, soups or salads, as well as a conditioning agent in cosmetic preparations, shampoos and hair masks. It is rich in green pigment, chlorophyll, so it is perfectly usable as natural food, cosmetic and soap colorant. Its high content of proteins, vitamins and minerals makes nettle leaf powder a great dietary supplement. It is often sold in capsule or tablet form as well. Nettle is well-known for its high iron content and it is often recommended to people suffering from iron deficiency.

You can use nettle leaf powder in cookies and biscuits as well. Sweet nettle may sound unusual, but worth a try. This nettle shortbread recipe is based on traditional Scottish shortbreads.

Nettle shortbread recipe

Ingredients:

  • 160 g butter at room temperature
  • 310 g flour
  • 70 g sugar
  • 3 tablespoons nettle leaf powder
  • ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 egg yolks

Preparation:

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
  2. Cut butter into small pieces.
  3. Mix the dry ingredients (flour, nettle powder, baking powder and sugar).
  4. Add butter and mix until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.
  5. Add the egg yolks and form a ball of the dough. If you want a softer dough, add a tablespoon milk.
  6. Roll dough on parchment paper to about 1 cm thick. Cut into squares, triangles or use a decorative cutter.
  7. Bake for 15 – 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Enjoy this green shortbread with a cup of tea, while lying on the sofa with a book to read on the cold winter days!

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Nettle Tea Blends

There is nothing better on a cold, wet, windy winter day, than a blanket and a steaming mug of herbal tea. Herbal teas are wonderful winter companions. Not only are they tasty they also have many benefits for your health. Making your own winter peace herbal tea blend is a simple task that can help you relax. This spicy tea is packed with iron and vitamin C, which when mixed together, are easily absorbed by your body.

  • 2 parts dried nettle leaves
  • 1 part rose hips
  • ½ part cinnamon (crushed)
  • ½ part chamomile flowers

For a fruity taste, you can add dried fruits as well (raisin, cranberry, apricot). Combine the herbs in a mason jar. Use one teaspoon of tea blend to a cup of boiling water. Let steep the herbs for 10 minutes, then strain and drink. Add honey if you like it sweet.

Enjoy!

Other Nettle Tea Blend suggestions: 

Sore Throat Tea:

  • 2 parts nettle
  • 1 part echinacea
  • 1 part thyme
  • ½ part sage

Hormone Balance Tea:

  • 3 parts nettle
  • 1 part raspberry leaf
  • ½ part lady’s mantle
  • ½ part sage

Be Happy Tea:

  • 2 parts nettle
  • 1 part St John’s Wort
  • ½ part hibiscus
  • ½ part peppermint

Good Night Tea:

  • 1 part nettle
  • 1 part lavender flowers
  • 1 part chamomile
  • ½ part dried hop cone

Make sure you always label your tea blends. Hope you enjoy this wintertime activity with dried herbs in your kitchen!

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Nettle Fruit Leather or Nettle Roll-Ups

Nettle is such an amazing plant! All parts of the herb are useful, filled with minerals, vitamins, nutrients and dietary fiber, among other beneficial components. But when we make a nettle tea and strain it after steeping enough time to get the healing juice and nutrients out of the leaves for example, the leftover strained nettle is just a “waste” that usually ends up in the compost heap. Though, it is still beneficial for human health. Here is an easy and delicious snack recipe using leftover nettle, that your kids will love too. You will never throw away the strained nettle after you tried this nettle fruit leather again! But of course, you can use dried and re-hydrated nettle for this recipe. In this case, you will get an even more nutritious superfood!

Ingredients:

  • Leftover strained nettle or 1 cup dried nettle, soaked in water for an hour
  • 4 large apples
  • 4 large pears
  • 1 ½ cup water
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • 2 tbs honey

Preparation:

Wash, core and cut your fruits into chunks. You don’t have to peel them unless they don’t seem too nice. Add the nettle and water and cook until soft, then puree the mixture with a blender. Add the honey. Use food wrap or baking paper to line your trays. Pour the puree onto the sheet and stick it into a cool oven set as low as you can. You are aiming to dry it, not cook it. It can take anything from about 3 hours to about 10 hours to totally dry out. When it’s dried, cut even strips and roll them up.

It is easy to store nettle and fruits this way if your family doesn’t eat the rolls too fast.

Enjoy!

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Nettle for your Hair

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is a nutritional powerhouse. More than 100 chemical components have been identified in nettle, including minerals (iron, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper) as well as the vitamins A, C, K, and B. Nettle also contains phytonutrients: chlorophyll, beta-carotene, lutein, quercetin, all of which are incredible for hair, nails and skin. Because of its nourishing, diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties, nettle is a natural beautifier herb to skin, nails and hair. 

Let’s have a closer look at how nettle can help your hair!

Nettle enhances blood circulation, so your hair roots get more supply of nutrients and oxygen. It has super antioxidants that help to get rid of hair-damaging compounds. Carotenoids, flavonoids and vitamin C in nettle act like a shield and protect hair from damaging free radicals. This stinging herb can inhibit the formation of DHT – the hormone that causes male and female baldness. Because of its astringent nature, nettle can get rid of oily scalp, dandruff, and reduce irritation and itchiness. Its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties keep the scalp in good health.

Nettle is a safe and natural way to stop hair loss and make hair healthy and glossy. Drinking nettle tea may also help battle hair loss, as iron can help with circulation to the scalp, in turn fueling hair growth. Nettles will also help with an imbalance of sebum (the oil that your pores produce) which can make a difference if you suffer from dandruff or dry scalp.

You don’t need to buy expensive artificial products and pills to grow your hair faster. It’s easy and beneficial to make your own homemade nettle hair tonic.

Ingredients:

  • 5 tablespoons of dried nettle
  • 2 cups of water
  • A few drops of your favourite essential oil (tea tree oil or rosemary oil works the best)
  • A bottle for storing

Preparation:

Bring water to a boil and then pour over the herb, letting it steep for 20 minutes. If it cooled, strain it, and add your essential oil. Pour your hair tonic into a bottle. To use, pour over your hair in the shower and massage or comb in, let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then rinse.

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Nettle Oil

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is a popular herbal plant in many parts of the world. It contains protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals, making it an ideal all-around tonic. It also has anti-inflammatory, anti-asthmatic, antirheumatic, anticonvulsant, antihistamine, hypotensive and anti-anaphylactic properties. 

There are a lot of ways to use nettle for different health issues internally and externally. One way to reap its benefits is nettle oil. The beneficial effects of the herb can be passed on to the oil infusion really well.

Nettle oil is usually extracted from the leaves of the plant that contain provitamin A, vitamins B1 and K, sistosterin and xanthophylls. This mineral-rich nettle oil is a powerful remedy with a wide spectrum of uses. 

Nettle has been used for healthy hair since medieval times. The extract enhances blood circulation that is essential for hair roots to get a sufficient supply of nutrients. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant features allow using nettle extract for the treatment of alopecia and a healthy scalp. Massaging the scalp helps to combat hair loss effectively.  Nettle oil is very effective to relieve dry, tense scalp, it helps scalp conditions like psoriasis and dandruff. It also contributes to hair regrowth, nettle leaves contain sulfur and silica that make the hair healthier and shinier.

Nettle oil helps to ease stiff joints as well. People who suffer from inflammation-related disorders like rheumatism, arthritis and osteoporosis can benefit too from nettle oil. Nettle oil extract has also shown promise in helping skin abrasions and burns to heal. Topical application of nettle oil may help ease insect bites, eczema and chickenpox. Thanks to its antihistamine benefit the nettle oil is useful for spring and seasonal allergies such as hay fever.

How to prepare your own nettle oil?

You can make nettle oil by extracting leaves of nettle in any oil of your choice. Extra virgin olive oil is the most suitable for any type of skin. For a “good night” purpose oil, use slow absorption oils such as avocado or sunflower oil, but if you intend to use a “good morning” oil, choose a fast-absorbing oil such as fractionated coconut oil or grapeseed oil.

There are two basic infusion methods: the slow traditional method and the fast infusion method.

If you want to try the traditional infusion, pack dried nettle in a jar and immerse it completely with oil. Cover with a lid tightly and leave on a sunny windowsill for 2-3 weeks. Stir or shake it daily. Strain the mixture through a cheesecloth. Store your nettle oil in a clean and sterilized bottle, in a cool place away from sunlight.

If you want to hurry, you might prefer trying the fast method. Place the uncovered jar with herbs and oil into a double boiler. Watch out for the temperature, it shouldn’t exceed 50 ℃. Let it simmer for 5 hours for the herb to release its medicinal properties. Be careful and make sure that the water doesn’t evaporate. Let it cool to room temperature. Strain the mixture with the cheesecloth, store your nettle oil in a sterilized jar in a dark place away from direct sunlight.

The extracted nettle oil can be used in massage oils, creams, salves, hair conditioners, shampoos or soaps.

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Magical Nettle

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) has been used for many things by many cultures in history. Food, medicine, beer, paper, fabric…and even magic. Nettle can be used as an anti-aging tonic that can purify the blood. It is also thought to help break curses and spells.

The healing powers of stinging nettle are steeped in folklore. In the fairy tale of “The Wild Swans” by Hans Christian Andersen, the heroine must weave a coat of nettle to save her brothers from a curse that turned them into swans. It has been said that stings from the nettle can prevent sorcery. Nettle is a good protective plant that is considered good at breaking spells and jinxes.

According to the Anglo-Saxon “Nine Herbs Charm“, recorded in the 10th century, nettle was used as a protection against “elf-shot” (mysterious pains in humans or livestock caused by the arrows of the Elvin folk) and “flying venom” (believed at the time to be one of the four primary causes of illness). In Norse myth, nettle is associated with Thor, the God of Thunder; and with Loki, the trickster god, whose magical fishing net is made from this plant. In Celtic lore, thick stands of nettle indicate that there are fairy dwellings close by, and the sting of the nettle protects against fairy mischief, black magic, and other forms of sorcery.

Stinging nettle is used in potions designed to transition a difficult situation into a nurturing one. The leaves can be burned to drive out negative energies or break curses.

Even J. K. Rowling was inspired by this herb. According to the Harry Potter Wiki, nettle was used in Potion-making: dried nettle was used in the Boil-Cure Potion and nettle was presumably the main ingredient of beverages like nettle wine and nettle tea. Nettle could also be made into a soup and was rumored to improve the glossiness of one’s hair. Nettle was covered in the Herbology lessons at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone film was released to cinemas in the United Kingdom and the United States on 16 November 2001. Exactly 20 years ago!

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How to make Nettle Tincture?

While many of us only think about our health nowadays when something goes wrong, traditional herbalism teaches us to actively tend to our body consistently throughout our life. We only appreciate health when we are ill. We should change that attitude for our own well-being.

Whether you need an earthy tonic tea, a hearty pesto, or a fresh green juice, nettle is there for you. Nettle (Urtica dioica) has been used for ages as a powerful spring tonic, to promote joint health and overall wellness.

If you feel yourself a budding herbalist, try to make a health-supporting tincture with nettle. Tinctures are alcoholic extracts of plants. They have a long history of use, and can easily be taken on the go.

This method is a simple way to make tinctures. We prefer using brandy or vodka when first starting out because their ratios of alcohol to water are appropriate for many herbs, so nettle too. If you want something extraordinary alcohol with a fruity smell, you can use Hungarian pálinka as well. You can make tinctures of nettle root and nettle leaves too. But be aware that they have different pharmacological effects!

If you don’t want to bother with stinging hairs of fresh nettle leaves, you can also use dried nettle in your tincture.

When using dried nettles, fill your jar ½ way and then cover all the way to the top with alcohol as a solvent. Then, put the cap on it, set it upright and label your jar:

  • What kind of alcohol you used, and the percent of alcohol by volume.
  • Whether you used fresh or dried herbs.
  • The name of the plant and plant part used.
  • The date you made the tincture.

Let the mixture macerate and shake the jar every day. Make sure the herbs stay covered with alcohol. Store it in a cool dark place.

After 4-6 weeks have passed, you can then press out your tincture. To start the pressing process, open your jar, put a muslin or cheesecloth over the top and then flip over the jar above a large bowl to drain out the liquid while separating the herb. Once all the liquid has gone into the bowl, you can then use both your hands to squeeze out any remaining liquid from the herb.

Next, pour that liquid (which is now your tincture) into a liquid measuring cup. Place your funnel in the mouth of your dosage bottle and carefully pour your liquid into it.

We suggest taking about ½-1 teaspoon (or 30-35 drops) of nettle tincture 3 times a day when you’re feeling like you need some joint support or a herbal tonic. Because of the alcohol content, doesn’t apply to children nor during pregnancy.

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Harvesting nettle root for men’s health

Growing out one’s facial hair for 30 days is called “Movember” or “No-Shave November,” and it’s meant to raise awareness worldwide for men’s health: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention. Men are dying too young. Let’s bring a change!

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) has been used as a medicinal plant for centuries. It is commonly used as a diuretic to rid the body of excess water and to treat painful muscles and joints, eczema, arthritis, gout, and anemia. The roots have different pharmacological effects than the leaves. Because nettle root can alter the menstrual cycle and may contribute to miscarriage, pregnant women should not use nettle root.

Nettle root is used widely to treat Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and for reducing enlarged prostate, prostate cancer prevention, and helping urination in older men. For this use, the roots should be harvested in late fall.

How to harvest nettle roots sustainably?

The roots are found in two layers. Young roots that become next year’s crop will be on the soil surface. The thicker roots below are the ones that should be harvested. If you are lucky, the loose soil allows nettle roots to be pulled up easily. If not, use a spade to dig them out. Harvest no more than 1/3rd of the roots in any given area. This will ensure that next year’s harvest will be just as plentiful as this year’s. Settle the ground back after harvest to leave it undisturbed.

Shake your nettle roots to knock off most of the dirt. Using pruning shears or scissors, clip off the leaves and dead stems that remain attached to the roots. Fill a sink with cool water and swish the roots through the water to remove any additional dirt. Line a wicker basket with a towel, drain the cleaned roots in the basket for a few hours.

These freshly wilted roots can be used in nettle root extract. If you want to use the roots later, cut them into small pieces and dry them. The thicker the diameter of the root, the shorter the piece should be. It takes about 5 to 7 days to fully air dry. With a dehydrator, the roots will dry in approximately one day at 38-40 °C.

DO NOT self-treat with nettle root for BPH. It is important to work with a doctor and to make sure you have a proper diagnosis to rule out prostate cancer.

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Nettle Pasta

25 October World Pasta Day

Pasta is one of the world’s most favorite foods! We celebrate World Pasta Day today. The goal of this day is to call attention not just to the product of pasta, but to new, healthy, and creative ways to enjoy a pasta meal. 

The world has enjoyed this dish since the first century A.D. Pasta are divided into two main categories: dried (pasta secca) and fresh (pasta fresca). Most dried pasta is produced commercially by machines and fresh pasta is traditionally produced by hand.

Dried pasta surged in popularity during the 14th and 15th centuries — mainly for its easy storage. This allowed people to bring pasta along on ships when exploring the New World. One of the first pasta factories of Europe was established in Pest, Hungary in 1859, which worked with steam machines.

Fresh stinging nettle is one of our most nutritious wild foods and makes a great cooked green, and it’s also a perfect addition to fresh hand-made pasta. Since it keeps its bright green color after cooking, it makes a beautiful and healthful pasta.

Let’s celebrate World Pasta Day with this home-made nettle pasta!

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups of fresh nettle leaves or 1 cup of nettle leaf powder
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 and a half cup all-purpose flour
  • A pinch of sea salt

Preparation:

  1. If you use freshly picked nettle, blanch them for 3 minutes, rinse in cold water and squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
  2. Puree egg and nettle (blanched or powder) to a smooth consistency. 
  3. Add flour and salt and mix to combine. It shouldn’t be sticky but should hold together when pinched. Knowing when the consistency is right is something that takes practice.
  4. Gather into a ball, turn out onto a floured surface and knead for a few minutes until smooth and elastic.
  5. Wrap in plastic wrap and let rest for half an hour in the fridge. Roll out and cut whatever pasta shape you prefer. You can do it with a pasta machine or a sharp chef’s knife.
  6. When ready to use, boil in salted water for 2 to 3 minutes or until al dente. Toss with olive oil or butter to prevent sticking.
  7. Add your favourite pasta sauce. Green herbs, garlic and spices work well with olive oil and cheese to nettle pasta.

Enjoy!