Thrive With Nettle

Stinging Nettle tells the story of the survivor who thrives. Nettle has a history of growing in abandoned human habitats, and can re-establish itself after the devastation of wildfires. She is always found near to us, showing her affinity or working with our bodies. Nettle is the first herb that I look to for rehabilitation and building up strength after trauma, hardship, or intense experiences that deplete our resources.

I have heard anecdotally of nourishing infusions made from Nettle being the only thing that worked in a woman who was severely anemic to build up her Iron content, stop feeling so ill, and test normal again on a blood workup. Look to Nettle as the warrior queen that can lead the cells of your body to victory and abundance.

Call in powerful protection with nettle

Nettle is also highly protective. One of the most curious things about her sting is that it is conditional. Whether or not you get stung depends entirely on how you touch her. If you are careless, oblivious, or handle her with disregard, look out! Ouch! She will let you know she is there.

If you are aware, careful, and confident, you can harvest an entire nettle patch with no injury; the only side-effect you may have is a delicious tingly buzz that lasts for hours and builds your life-force from the inside out. If you are careless enough to get a sting, never fear. Nature always provides, look for Dock or Jewelweed growing nearby, antidotes to the pain of nettle’s sting.

Rebuild depleted systems with Nettle

Nettle is excellent for conditions in which something needs to be re-built. As mentioned, she is the number one herb for anemia, and can also loosen and dissolve kidney stones, as well as re-build the kidneys after damage. Nettle is a primary herb for folks recovering from restrictive eating patterns such as anorexia, bulimia, and orthorexia. Look to nettle to heal your relationship to nourishment.

Nettle is also extremely useful as a fertility tonic due to its highly nutritive content. If find yourself unable to become pregnant or unable help someone else become pregnant, spend some time with nettle. It also serves as an excellent pregnancy tonic to keep mother and baby nourished and growing, and prepare the mother for producing abundant milk and fortifying herself for the huge energy expenditure that is childbirth and caring for an infant.

cool inflammation with nettle

Anytime there are chronic inflammatory issues, call in Nettle as your ally. Nettle is especially useful to help heal allergies and asthma, both reactive conditions that are highly malleable by nourishing the immune system.

Nettle is wonderful for folks experiencing stiff and/or painful joints, both internally and externally. The particularly desperate and/or brave can try a process called urtication, in which a handful of fresh stinging nettle is whipped against a stubborn joint injury or arthritic joints for 10-15 minutes, bringing about long-lasting healing in the soft tissues.

I have seen this done on a woman with a knee injury and watched the knee visibly become significantly less swollen and her mobility increase within a few hours. This can also be done by a medicine person as a ceremony in which the whole body is whipped, producing an altered state and transformation of the person as a whole.

ways to work with nettle

If urtication doesn’t feel quite up your alley, might I suggest drinking nourishing infusion made from Nettle? In my opinion this is the best way to access the nutritive and tonic effects of Stinging Nettle. Steeping the herb in just boiled water for 4-8 hours will unlock the treasure chest of vitamins and minerals locked in her cells. The ratio for these infusions is 1 oz. of herb to 1 quart of water. For more information about Nourishing Herbal Infusions, check out this article.

You can also use the infusion externally as a hair rinse to brighten and thicken your locks. Tincture of nettle is useful for the anti-inflammatory effects, but not necessarily the nutritive benefits. Nettle is also one of the most historic pot herbs. To remove the sting you need only dry the leaves or expose them to heat. Nettle soup is one of my favorite Spring meals, as is nettle pesto. You can also saute nettle with your favorite veggies or eggs, or used dried nettle in bread recipes; the possibilities are endless, really.

Nettle Seeds can be gathered in the Fall and made into a tincture and used along with Red Sage or Astragalus for increasing kidney health. You can also decoct the seeds as a nutritive tonic throughout the year.

All in all…

I consider Stinging Nettle a “wonder herb”, and quite honestly I could write an entire book about the many benefits this herb has. The next time you are wondering which plant may help your body heal, just remember this adage:

“When in doubt, use Nettle”.

Keep your eyes peeled for spring growth of Stinging Nettle near waterways or soggy soil, and consider asking her permission to make her your next Green Ally. I trust that once you engage with her, she will truly become a beloved friend.

In Love,

Susan Marie

P.S. I’ll be talking about Nettles more extensively in my upcoming class Rejuvenating Spring Tonics in Arcata, CA. Visit the Classes page to learn more!

P.P.S. If you would like to learn more about Nettles on your own time, there is an excellent, comprehensive section on Nettles in Susun Weed’s book Healing Wise.

Queen Nettles// Green Ally