How my relationship with Stinging Nettle has changed since the days I called it "Sting Weed" and ran off cursing it for giving me rashes as a kid growing up in Michigan. I ran through the fields of with an absolute disregard for their existence until, yeowch! The ones I grew up with in the Great Lakes were a little different variety than the ones I now step gingerly around in the forest, along trails and in my yard. They share the same characteristics, however, and are now a welcome presence for so many reasons.
Their lush green and purplish leaves have become a verdant symbol of Spring. I just want to reach out and pet them...and if you must know, I sometimes do. Clearly, there's a right and wrong way you can do this. You know when you've done it wrong.
Nettles are nutritious and medicinal. According to several sources(Schofield, 1989; Moore 1993; Brill 1994) they are packed with iron, calcium, vitamin C, D and B-complex, chlorophyll and trace minerals. They are also higher in protein than any other green vegetable found cultivated and at the market. It can be dried for tea, steamed, stewed, powdered, used as a diuretic or spring tonic, as well as for various ailments.
In the Fall when they are tall and fibrous, we can use them for cordage or leave them standing for the birds. The Juncos love to sit on the 4' to 6' tall stalks.
We've been harvesting Stinging Nettle, which grows wild around every corner here, for a little over a week now. So far, we've enjoyed it as a steamed side and in a cheesy-potato hash. David also makes a delicious nettle soup, homemade nettle pasta, and nettle lasagna. I'll be posting these recipes as we make them again this year, since we've prepared them from a healthy blend of memory and good fortune. Posts to look forward to!
Sources: Michael Moore, Medicinal Plants of the Pacific Northwest; "Wildman" Steve Brill, Identifying and Harvesting Edible and Medicinal Plants; Janice Schofield, Discovering Wild Plants