Dead Nettle

Dead nettle

Purple deadnettle is not only a wild edible green, but a highly nutritious superfood. The leaves are edible, with the purple tops being even a little sweet. Since the leaves are relatively fuzzy, they are better used as an herb garnish or mixed with other greens in recipes, rather than being the star of the show.

Can you eat dead nettle raw?

Its leaves and tops can be eaten both raw and cooked, although to be honest, I'm not a fan of eating it raw since its leaves are hairy. I am not a fan of hairy foods! I have found that I like purple dead nettle as a pesto, dried for use in tea or tea blends, or cooked as you would spinach or kale.

What is Red Dead Nettle good for?

In terms of traditional medicinal uses, dried leaves have been used as a poultice to stem hemorrhaging whilst fresh bruised leaves have been applied to external wounds and cuts. The leaves are also made into a tea and drunk to promote perspiration and discharge from the kidneys in treating chills.

What does dead nettle taste like?

The purple deadnettle is actually in the mint family and that is revealed by its square shaped stem which it shares with peppermint, spearmint, and others. The leaves have a somewhat minty taste but have more of an earthy grassy taste than its mint cousins.

Can dead nettles sting you?

White dead-nettle does not sting. It displays dense clusters of white flowers in whorls around its stem, and can be found on disturbed ground, such as roadside verges.

What happens if you eat nettles?

Thanks to the iron, vitamin C and selenium, nettles give you a huge immune boost. Not only can that help fight against illnesses but can also give you an energy boost too, fighting fatigue and keeping your brain alert.

Why is it called dead nettle?

Though superficially similar to species of Urtica (true nettles) in appearance, it is not related and does not sting, hence the name "dead-nettle".

Is creeping Charlie and dead nettle the same?

Whereas henbit and purple deadnettle are winter annuals that flower in early spring and die in the late spring, creeping Charlie is a perennial that will flower in late spring. Flowers are light purple while leaves are kidney shaped and toothed and are attached with long petioles.

What is the difference between stinging nettle and dead nettle?

Stinging Nettles have long hairs on their stems, whereas a White Dead-nettle will only have short hairs. White Dead-nettles have distinctive white flowers. The flowers have a large hood and a flat lower lip for insects to land on. The flowers are connected to the stems via a long white tube, called a corolla.

Will dead nettle take over grass?

You might be surprised to know you can actually eat purple dead nettle, and it has sweet flowers and nutrient-rich leaves. But it's an aggressive grower that takes over lawns, fields and roadsides if given the chance.

What are the healing properties of nettle?

Stinging nettle has antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, anti-infectious, hypotensive, and antiulcer characteristics, as well as the ability to prevent cardiovascular disease, in all parts of the plant (leaves, stems, roots, and seeds).

How do you use dead nettle for allergies?

Ways to Use Purple Dead Nettle

1. Chopped purple dead nettle being turned into a tincture to relieve seasonal allergies.
2. Purple dead nettle is a highly nutritious super food and medicinal herb in your backyard! ...
3. Use the infused oil in salves, lotions bars, creams, body butters, and lip balm.

Where does dead nettle grow?

Purple Dead-nettle is usually considered a weed and originates from Europe and Asia. It is low growing and blooms occur throughout the year including warmer weather in winter. It can be found in lawns, along roads, gardens and meadows. It is often confused with Henbit and they can grow together.

What happens if you touch nettles?

Nettles are plants with sharp hairs on their leaves. If you touch them, these hairs inject irritants into the skin, making it itchy, red and swollen.

How long should a nettle sting last?

Nettle stings can be itchy and you may feel a stinging or burning sensation. This will usually settle down within a few minutes or a few days and you can often treat them yourself.

What time of year do nettles sting?

Take thick gloves! Nettles are best when very tender, so pick them in the spring when the nettles are just coming up or later in the season when they're growing well, but before they are flowering. Use rubber gloves or pinch the leaves hard, so you don't get stung.

Who shouldn't drink nettle tea?

Pregnant people should not take nettle or drink nettle tea. Due to a lack of research, children under the age of 12 years should also avoid nettle. It is important that people with existing conditions and those who take certain medications speak with a healthcare professional before trying nettle.

When should you not eat nettles?

It is not wise to eat nettles when flowering between June and October as they have a laxative effect and the plant will then contain cystolith crystals that can upset the urinary tract. The fresh growth from nettles that grow after being cut back is fine though.

Are there any poisonous nettles?

Gympie gympie. The nettle family is full of stinging plants, but none is quite as aggressive as the gympie gympie (Dendrocnide moroides). One of six stinging trees native to Australia (because of course) and also found in Indonesia, the gympie gympie is one of the most dangerous plants in the world.

What does dead nettle smell like?

It possesses a complex woody piney hay earthy green scent. Deadnettle is a herbaceous flowering plant native to Europe and Asia. overpriced, and smells like public bathroom soap.

12 Dead nettle Images