Take up to a teaspoon a day and see how you go, you can use more or less depending on how they affect you. Anything that increases the presence of acetylcholine in the synaptic space is found to produce analgesia (pain relief). Sprinkle them on salads, soups, in sandwiches or blend in smoothies. Nettle seed is used therapeutically both as freshly picked seed and as fresh nettle seed tincture. The flavor is sweet and salty, with a pleasant, earthy taste. Nettle seeds are tiny. Nettles are primarily used in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), diabetes, and arthritis. How to Use Stinging Nettle Tea as Fertilizer . Cook or Dehydrate. This gives more chances for them to grow. (Photo: CC0 Public Domain / Pixabay – NickyPe) While vitamins (A and C) and minerals ( Iron, magnesium, calcium and silicon) are contained in the whole plant, nettle seeds … Traditionally, stinging nettle slurry has been used on resource-intense plants, like tomatoes, as liquid fertilizer. Posted by Christopher Ng on 20th Jun 2016 Nice seeds and will be buying more. Nettle seeds are suitable for children. The ‘feel-good’ factor from eating raw dried nettle fruits/seeds is caused by the neurotransmitters acetylcholine nd serotonin, with choline and histamine also found in uncooked nettle venom. Another way to use nettle to activate your hair is by drinking its tea. Serotonin is mainly found in the gut and it also acts on the nervous system (CNS). Measure out your nettle leaf and use a tea strainer to keep them contained. You can use it either diluted or undiluted, with or instead of regular watering. The herb is generally safe to use, but it can cause side effects in some people. Nettle, or stinging nettle, is a shrub that comes from northern Europe and Asia. Or try season your soup with nettle seeds by adding them on the top. Plants & Seeds Gardening 101: Nettles Chew 5-20 grams of fresh green nettle seed well, as a refreshing stimulant. Their high protein and low fat content also make them attractive for the health-conscious. For a milder tasting tea, use 1 tsp (4.9 mL) of dried nettle leaf. by Silke Neumann For example, one quart of nettle tea to 10 quarts of water. You can take 1 to 2 tablespoons a day. We use only wild nettle seeds … To make your own home superfood green powder, gather nettles and dry them in your dehydrator or hang in bunches upside down in an airing cupboard. You can get a cheery mood and energy boost from nettle leaf and particularly from raw dried nettle seed (technically fruits and seeds), rubbed through a sieve to remove the irritating hairs. Nettle, or stinging nettle because of its stinging properties, is used both as a culinary herb and medicinally to treat various ailments, including those affecting the kidneys. You can read the original version here: Die Brennnessel, eine echte Nährstoffbombe und Bakterienbremse. Peat pots work great for nettles. Nettle tea is very potent, and therefore needs to be watered down before using it to feed other plants in your garden. Often maligned due to its painful “stings,” stinging nettle is actually a flavorful, high-protein superfood with a long history of use as a culinary, medicinal, and fiber plant. Apart from the fact that nettles do sting, nettles are a wonderful ingredient to use in soups, pasta dishes, frittatas—basically in any cooked dish where you would use young spinach. One hundred grams of stinging nettle leaves contain a similar amount of protein as the same amount of beans. Nettle seeds is a difficult supplement to find online. Season well with salt and pepper. You have three options for consuming stinging nettle seeds daily. I use Stinging Nettle to make an allergy tincture with equal parts of Horseradish root. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup, and then add the cream and season to taste with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Stinging Nettle soup is delicious, nutritious, and will save you a trip to the grocery store. Stinging nettles can be used to make a slurry that will fertilize and protect your plants. Some people experiment with nettle seed for recreation but I advise against exceeding this amount. When the battered leaves turn golden brown, remove from the oil with a slotted spoon and lay on a cooling rack. Here are 6 evidence-based benefits of stinging nettle. I’ve spoken to many women who have chosen to use nettle herb instead of iron supplements in the early stages of pregnancy to increase their iron levels. How to Use Stinging Nettle Seeds for the Best Health Benefits. Thank you :) Nice. One of the many stinging nettle benefits is that that tea made with its leaves is a mild diuretic, meaning that it will cause your body to pass more water, which helps flush out salts and any built-up fluids in your body. It smells awful, but stinging nettle slurry can be used as an all-natural fertilizer for plants and protect them against pests. Stinging nettles are truly global citizens. Benzodiazepines for example act as analgesics through their action of enhancing acetylcholine release. Cooked Nettle. So - Seed ID: the seeds grow on the female plant. 9 Things you need to know about Quinoa, Neither Nestlé nor Monsanto: This is the worst Company in the World, Magnum Ice Cream Introduces Non-Dairy Sea Salt Caramel Bars, Americans are Not Making the Connection Between Food and Climate Change, Ben & Jerry’s Launches First Non-Dairy Ice Cream Made of Sunflower Butter, Starbucks Announces “Multi-Decade Commitment to Become a Resource-Positive Company”, GFI Predicts Top 5 Alt Protein Trends for 2020, Swai Fish: 5 Reasons Not to Eat Pangasius. Tags: cooking healthy living plant practical tips, Subscribe to our newsletter Informative, free, inspiring, Stinging Nettle Benefits: How to Use Stinging Nettles as Medicine, in the Garden, and in the Kitchen, Stinging Nettle Tea: Benefits, Dosage, and Side Effects, useful tips on how to keep your houseplants alive, Benefits of Ginger: Uses, Health Effects and Recipes, Growing Mint: Mint Plant Care in your Garden or Kitchen, Growing Basil: Keeping Basil and Other Kitchen Herbs Fresh, Die Brennnessel, eine echte Nährstoffbombe und Bakterienbremse, Important Information regarding Health-related Topics, Decluttering Your Home: 4 Tips for Sorting Out Your Belongings, Why Injecting or Ingesting Disinfectant Might Kill You, Fighting Coronavirus: This isn’t About You, Healthy Inca Grain? Stinging nettles contain active compounds that possess significant anti-microbial properties. Sprinkle some roasted nettle seeds on your morning smoothie, or add to yogurt or granola for extra crunch. The plant that we nowadays consider a garden weed contains more vitamin C than citrus fruits and is also rich in minerals like iron, potassium, magnesium, and flavonoids. © Napiers Herbals Ltd 2020 • Bathgate, Edinburgh & Glasgow • Herbalists and Medical Botanists since 1860. If you’re working with small seeds, pour the seeds into the crease of a folded piece of paper and use a pencil to push the seeds … Add the diced potatoes and allow to simmer until the potatoes are soft. Pour hot water and let it work its magic, then strain and drink. Nettle seed also tastes delicious toasted and can be used instead of poppy seed in crackers, bread and sprinkled with chopped nuts into salads. Cover the seeds with 1/4 inch of soil, and be sure to keep the soil wet. You can mix ground nettle seeds into runny honey and store in glass jars. Take 3-4 freshly chopped leaves or 1 teaspoon dried nettle and brew the tea like you would brew any herbal tea. Nettle seeds. They can grow in any mild or temperate climate where the ground is rich in nitrogen. Drain and refrigerate or use immediately. Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) has been a staple in herbal medicine since ancient times, such as to treat arthritis and back pain. One stinging nettle benefit that is lesser known is that it can be incredibly useful in the garden. Serve fresh. It must be cooked or dehydrated before consuming. Thank you for sharing. However, clinical trials are limited. HOW TO USE IT. Nettle seeds are also used to restore energy (see below for more information). However, the use of nettle seed is still fairly uncommon. The most nutritious part of the nettle is hidden in its seeds. Chop the onion and sauté with the minced garlic. March 21, 2020 Avoid harvesting older, fibrous nettles. Perhaps among the most cherished benefits of stinging nettles is the fact that they taste great. Medieval herbals tell of nettle seeds' use for frostbite. Bake with them, as you would poppy or sesame seeds. The roots, stems and leaves of stinging nettle are edible. Fresh. Stinging Nettle Benefits: In the Garden. Some people experiment with nettle seed for recreation but I advise against exceeding this amount. I have made it for years. Start the Nettle Seeds Indoors. Sprinkle some roasted nettle seeds on your morning smoothie, or add to yogurt or granola for extra crunch. If you're gathering them, dry them first and gently rub through a sieve to remove the stalks. They are encased in what looks like green bishops hats (mitres) gathered in funny geometric clusters and are best gathered when green. But despite the fact that touching them will leave you with an unpleasant burn, and that they make themselves known in a particularly irritating way when you are trying to enjoy a stroll through the forest wearing shorts, the benefits of stinging nettles outweigh the drawbacks by far. Use 1-2 teaspoons daily in your warm nettle infusion or as a tasty spread. They can be used in nettle soup or added to other soups and stews. For this reason, using the casting method to plant them is most efficient. Nettle seeds need light to germinate, so you should use … In fact, nettle is approved in some European countries, such as Germany, for treating certain kidney aliments. Tip: For a more refreshing flavor, try adding lemon zest to your stinging nettle tea. Be careful too, if you boil fresh nettle fruit/seed in a ratio of 1:12 (eg 50 grams fruit/seed to 600 ml of water), a large wineglassful (250ml) may keep you wide awake for 12-36 hours! If you do have access to the plant itself, collect the leaves and hang them in a warm, low-humidity place to dry (be careful to wear gloves when picking the leaves, to avoid getting burned!). Leaves, roots, and seeds have all been used medicinally, and each has different applications. Acetylcholine is the most abundant neurotransmitter in our brains. People have been using nettles for food, medicine, fiber, and dyes since the Bronze Age. 2. In summer, this will happen relatively quickly, but in the spring or in a very shady spot it can take over a week to be ready. Incidentally, the prescence of acetylcholine in nettle venom may well explain the reason behind the ancient practice of urtification (being whipped with nettles for pain relief)! Drying nettle seed in the dehydrator When dry, take small handfuls of the seeds and rub through a sieve. Nettles are divided into six subspecies, all of which are used worldwide for a wide variety of purposes. Don’t try to eat stinging nettle raw! Planting, Care & Design of Nettles. Another surprising benefit of stinging nettles is that they contain an unusually high amount of protein. It will also attract birds that feast on nettle seeds. Tall, mature plants can even be harvested for their long fibres which are ideal for making textiles or ropes. If you live in an urban area and can’t find any stinging nettles growing nearby, you can buy dried leaves at most health food stores, or online on Amazon**. I am over the top happy with the results. Compared to many other seeds, nettle seeds are soft and could be eaten just like that but are better mixed in for example smoothies, yogurt and porridge. The benefits of stinging nettles are well known: the leaves have been used for thousands of years for medicinal purposes, food, tea, and even to make textiles. Great Post. The fermentation process releases all of the active chemicals in the plant, so be sure to wait until the process has completely run its course before you start using the liquid. You’ll know the fermentation is finished when the stink subsides and the foaming has stopped. Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica)is a fast-growing wild plant common across all of North America, though it prefers the moist, forested soil of the Pacific Northwest. Nettle seeds are so easy to incorporate into your daily diet and can be thought of as much as a nourishing ‘superfood’ as they are a medicine. Stinging nettles get their name from the fact that their leaves are covered with tiny sharp needles that release a painful combination formic acid, histamine, acetylcholine, serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine), plus other unknown compounds. Avocado Benefits: How Healthy is this Trending Superfood? After hanging the stems to allow the insects to escape, cut off the small strands of seeds and allow to air dry or use a dehydrator like this one. Common stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is a perennial plant found in temperate regions throughout the world. When the onions look glassy, add the stinging nettle leaves and allow to wilt. In herbal medicine they are used as an adrenal tonic for people who are burnt-out, run down, fatigued and low in energy, zest for life and libido. For being so prickly, stinging nettle offers a surprising assortment of food! Dried Nettle ‘Super’ Powder. Many people have tried nettle and wild garlic soup - a foraging classic - and nettle leaf tea is widely available. People pick the roots, seeds, stems, young shoots and leaves of stinging nettle for food or medicinal use. Simply go outside and pull this “weed” from your garden – and use it to make the perfect summertime dish. Here’s what to do: Wearing gloves, rinse your nettle leaves well and lay out to dry on a kitchen towel. So enjoy and remember to wear gloves when you pick them! How to use the nettle seeds; Recipes with nettle seeds ; Superpower of nettle seeds . How to Use Stinging Nettle Seeds Stinging nettle seeds can be eaten either as fresh green seeds or dried out and eaten by themselves or as a blend with other foods (it’s a great topping for yogurt). The tea is not the most delicious tasting tea, but it’s not bad either. Bubble Recipes: How to Make a DIY Bubble Solution For Kids, Minimalist Wardrobe: Closet Clearing Tips and Tricks, How to Store Ginger Root: 6 Ways to Keep Your Ginger Fresh for Longer, Zero Waste Bathroom: Tips for Using Less Plastic, 11 Flowers for Bees: Turn Your Garden or Balcony Into a Bee Paradise, Food Waste: 10 Pro Tips for Reducing Food Waste, 200 grams (7oz) of large stinging nettle leaves. categories: Health. Eating them in their raw or dried form. Heat oil in a pot on the stove. Nettle infusions are a reliable way to boost iron levels. Its main functions include regulation of mood, appetite, and sleep, and it influences memory and learning. Lucinda explains how to use them: Pick the green seeds directly off the nettle plant; If eating on the hoof, remove any sting by rubbing the seeds gently between your fingers into the palm of your hand, then eat. Even meats and fish were wrapped in nettle leaves, in attempts to preserve them for longer. Sprinkle them on salads, porridge, granola, smoothies, heck, even on your roast dinner! Plant 1-3 seeds in a pot that is filled with a good quality potting soil. If you are spraying the slurry on your plants to protect them from pests, be sure to do it in the evening, otherwise the leaves will burn in the sun. As the days lengthen, the female nettle produces inconspicuous flowers quickly followed by green seed, drooping like heavily-laden catkins from the upper third of the plant. You can take 1 to 2 tablespoons a day. You’ll probably want to wear kitchen gloves or use tongs to handle. Can’t afford to buy the Nettle and Radish allergy tincture I have used since 2004. Because of the stink, you won’t want to have the slurry anywhere near your open windows: place it on the far side of your garden, far away from your neighbor’s fence. It’s best to use young leaves. J. Kral, in "Phytoterapie", 1970, thought that this was due to growth hormone, and said that in their experience, a few weeks' worth of nettle seeds was very vitalizing to the elderly. Peel and dice the potatoes. Pour the vegetable broth over the wilted leaves and bring to boil. Dried nettle leaves can be really small and crumbly, which can make them difficult to remove when they’re done steeping. The leaves can be steamed and cooked much like spinach. Either as an appetizer or a crispy snack, stinging nettle leaves fried in beer pastry are the perfect way to satisfy your crunchy-snack impulse. Dip each leaf into the batter (holding it by the stem) and carefully drop into the hot oil. Benefits of stinging nettles come from all parts of the plant, including the seeds, which have been used for generations in traditional medicine. This article has been translated from German to English by Christie Sacco. Diuretics also help lower blood pressure by causing your blood vessels to relax and widen. The fresh seeds are much more potent than the dried version, so test them out to your preference. Once brown and dry, the seeds are of no use. I actually prefer to make my own. CAREFUL NOW. Important Information regarding Health-related Topics. It’s best to start the seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the final frost date in your region. It stimulates the nervous system (ANS), improving mood and heightening sensory perception, attention span, vigilance and intuition. The stronger the tea, the stronger the effects. Chew 5-20 grams of fresh green nettle seed well, as a refreshing stimulant. Plant 4 seeds if they are small. Here’s how to prepare stinging nettle tea and everything else you need to know about it: Stinging Nettle Tea: Benefits, Dosage, and Side Effects. In the northern hemisphere the season for nettles begins around April. To dilute it into a usable fertilizer, mix 1 part brewed nettle tea to 10 parts water. While it does appear to be edible, anyone considering eating it, should do more in-depth research on how to safely use it. Stinging nettle has a range of uses, and many people find it to be an effective remedy. Make a batter that is slightly thinner than pancake batter out of the flour, egg, and beer. To make the slurry, allow the stinging nettle to ferment in water. Acetylcholine disruption may be a primary cause of depression and possibly Alzheimer’s and muscle degeneration. Tip: For all those not blessed with either a garden or much talent for gardening, here are some useful tips on how to keep your houseplants alive. Nettle seed is used therapeutically both as freshly picked seed and as fresh nettle seed tincture. If you’re unfamiliar with this method, it means to place the seeds in your hand and gently toss them into the garden area. Soaking in water removes nettles’ stinging properties. Serotonin in nettle spines causes pain when you pick them! Some of these substan… Nettle can also be puréed and used in recipes like polenta, green smoothies, salads and pesto. Its abundance in many seeds and fruits may be to stimulate the gut to expel the seeds, and it can cause diarrhoea in quantity. Hoppe (1975) says to use nettle seeds for skin problems, rheumatism, small wounds and inflammation. Simply cut them back and young, tasty shoots will emerge. The nettle leaves are extremely high in nutrients and make a delicious tea. They are said to be a powerful aphrodisiac (so much so that monks in the Middle Ages were forbidden from eating them). Mint Images/Getty Images. White dead nettle (Lamium album) is from a different family of plants than stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), while it may mimic the look of stinging nettle, it is quite different. Posted by Deb H. on 20th Jun 2016 Restoring iron levels can also relieve fatigue. If both of the seeds start to grow, you can always cut back or remove the weakest looking plant. Wash leaves as soon after harvest as you can manage.