Boundaries, Strength, Vitality
The plant with the highest level of chlorophyll in North America, stinging nettles carries a strong punch in her service to the world. A beacon of boundaries and presence, nettles carries a sting, reminding one to stay present and focused in their walk. She does this externally in the forest, if you come upon a nettle stand without awareness, you will be stung. She also reflects this in one’s inner world as we deepen our relationship with the nettle spirit. It is through our integrity and commitment to walk in alignment with the Great Spirit that nettle keeps us and our relations in alignment. If the person working with nettle or anyone around them is acting or speaking in a way that is not in integrity, nettle is one of the first to come forward and speak up. She helps clean the blood—clearing the past and renewing one’s matrix to be of full service to the future generations. Nettle is a wonderful tonic for those who are run down, overworked, malnourished, about to get their moon time or just gave birth, those expecting to give birth, or anyone seeking more natural energy and vitality.
Genus and species: Urtica dioica
Family: Urticaceae
Description/habitat: Nettles are commonly found in spaces of twinkling sunlight, along rivers, streams, and lakes.
Energetics: heating and drying
Herbal actions: antioxidant, alterative, diuretic, tonic, styptic, vulnerary, trophorestorative, inflammation-modulating
Taste: salty
Parts Used: root, leaf, and seed
Tissue States: treats cold depression, damp stagnation
Clinical uses: After a long cold winter, nettles are wonderful to clear a cold damp tissue state and any fluid built up over the winter months. Nettles are a general “go-to” for an herbalist that cannot decipher the root cause of illness, as they nourish the body and detoxify that which is not in service to the system, clearing many things out of the way in order to get to a root cause. Nettle is rich in iron and builds the blood. It acts as a mild astringent in the urinary tract, strengthening the tissue. As one of the most nutrient-dense foods available (high in protein, iron, magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron, trace minerals, B complex vitamins, and many more), nettle is a great ally to have as both preventative and restorative medicine.
Constituents: Vitamin E, C, A, K, F, P, zinc, formic acid, iodine, carbonic acid, iron, copper, potassium, selenium, silica, boron, bromine, chlorine, chlorophyll, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, chromium, and sulfur. Calcium: 1 cup provides 32 to 42% of one’s daily requirement.
Vitamin B-complexes as well as riboflavin, thiamin, niacin, and B-6. All of these are present in high levels and act as antioxidants for the body. Nettle is medicine for the kidneys, boosting their function and cleansing them of toxins. Nettle is also an ally for both the female and male hormonal systems, helping to keep them balanced (for men I typically administer the seed or root, and for women, the leaf and stem).
Dosage and method of intake: To make a nettle infusion, put one ounce of dried nettles into a quart jar and fill to the top with the boiling water. Lid tightly and set aside to brew for at least four hours or overnight (I typically do it overnight unless I need the nettles ASAP).
To use, strain and squeeze the liquid out of the herb and refrigerate your infusion, as it will go bad at room temperature once it is done brewing. (If that happens, I use it as plant food for the garden. I find that the other greens I have growing really love a fermented nettle infusion!
Harvesting: Collect nettles in early to late spring in areas with snow, and collect in late winter in temperate climates. Harvest with gloves or with your bare hands and a clear mind once a connection is made with her.
Contraindications and cautions: Because nettles are both hot and drying as well as a diuretic, it is important to drink plenty of water when working with nettles. I do administer nettles to folks who have a hot and dry constitution, though it is important to make sure these people drink plenty of other liquids, and it can be useful to implement cooling and moistening herbs alongside the nettles.
