This past September, during my stay at home vacation, i immersed myself in the Wise Woman Tradition.  As an avid gardener i was intrigued by medicine growing in my own backyard.  I read about Comfrey, Chickweed, Red  Clover, Poke, and Nettles and many more.  Out of all of them Nettles seemed to me to be the best one for MCS and i decided to give it three months to see what would happen.  Spurred on by the loss of my main source of income, i stopped taking the homeopathic tonics and supplements suggested by my Environmental Doctor. 

The first two weeks were a bit rocky as my body weaned itself from what i had been taking while getting used to the nettles.  The first morning as i walked into the kitchen my body practically lunged toward the Nettles as if trying to tell me, "DRINK DRINK DRINK!"  And drink i did! The infusion was delicious and on that first day i drank it all down at once.  Each morning my body would feel as though it were magnetically attracted to the infusion waiting on my kitchen countertop.  Slowly i began to feel my body getting stronger, more resilient.  As my strength increased my reactions began to be less severe.  After three months i realized my hot flashes had dramatically decreased and today, six months later, my hot flashes are a thing of the past along with night sweats.  My leg and foot cramps are gone and i've never gone back to taking anything else.  Because nettles nourish the body, i am now able to tolerate many of the foods i'd become allergic to.  Nettles have long been given to people who are chronically ill to rebuild their systems.  They have done much more for me than what i've mentioned and have also worked far better than the things i'd been taking.   They are far less expensive, contain one ingredient and are considered safe to use with other medications. This spring, anti-capitalist gurl that i am, i hope to collect and dry my own nettles!

Nettles are loaded with nutrients and a high level of minerals, calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, manganese, silicon, sodium, iodine, and also sulfur.  They are a good source of B complex vitamins, beta-carotene, Vitamin C, along with providing tannin and chlorophyll.  No need to buy expensive algae or spirulina.  They contain more protein than any other vegetable and have high levels of absorbable amino acids.  It strengthens the adrenals and is effective for treating inflammatory conditions like bursitis, gout, rheumatism, arthritis and tendonitis.  Nettles is beneficial for kidneys, liver and circulatory system.  It will stop excessive menstrual bleeding, bloody urine, clots and help the body create the hormones it needs during menopause.  It is the traditional food for those with allergies [dust and pollen, asthma, hay fever] and aids the entire respiratory system and any lung related problems.  It's also a diuretic and will help with weight loss although you will most likely lose more water than pounds. Nettles also helps those with iron-deficiency anemia and much more!

If you plan to harvest your own nettles do so with caution!  To avoid being stung be sure to wear gloves.  You can harvest Nettles all summer long but the very best time is in the Spring.  To harvest snip off the young fresh tops of the plants.  Please be sure to harvest only those nettles that haven't been sprayed and stay away from those growing along busy roads.  You can harvest the roots in the autumn.  Please, before harvesting any plant be sure you have properly identified it. 

Besides being a health building infusion, nettles can also be cooked up in stews and soups, [don't worry, cooking takes the sting out of them] steamed like kale or spinach or made into a mineral rich vinegar.   One site i recently visited used it in lasagna!   I toss dried nettles into just about everything and often brew up an extra quart of infusion to use as a nutrient rich broth. 

 

Here are a few recipes:
 

How to make a stinging nettles infusion

1. In a quart size glass jar place one ounce of dried organic nettles [by weight]

2.  Pour boiling water over it and cover

3.  Let steep for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight

4.  Strain and enjoy! 

Although you can refrigerate your infusion i prefer to drink mine at room temperature.  Consume contents within 48 hours or it's likely to ferment.  You can feed any extra's to your plants.
 

Stinging nettles vinegar

Collect the fresh tops of nettles and loosely fill a quart sized mason jar.

 Pour in  apple cider vinegar to the top, [leave a one inch headspace]

Cover and let steep 4-6 weeks.  Strain and enjoy! 

Use to marinate vegetables, in salad dressings or for a nutritious drink add a teaspoon to water [if you'd like a sweeter drink add a bit of honey to taste]

 

Stinging Nettles Hair Rinse

Brew up an extra infusion and rinse your hair with it.  No need to rinse.  [can also use any leftover infusions for a very healing facial steam]  

Want to learn more about using nettles? click here.

 

Kathy Fitzpatrick is a writer, activist, and naturalist who loves to dig in the dirt, eat weeds and grows her own organic herbs and veggies. She is also State Campaign Representative Michigan, USA for MCS International.

 

 

 

 

SPRING TONIC SOUP

 

Preparation time: Collect the necessary weeds while preparing garden soil. After that, it will take roughly 45 minutes to get everything into the pot, and an hour to cook. Serves 13-15.

2 c/500ml onion, chopped
4 tablespoons/60ml olive oil
2 c/500ml fresh burdock root
1 c/250ml fresh dandelion
1 c/250ml fresh yellow dock
4 ounces/125ml seaweed
2 c/500ml carrot, sliced
6 c/1500ml potatoes, cubed
4 quarts/4 liters water
salt

Cook onion in oil in soup pot until golden. Add soaked, but not parboiled burdock root slices. Chop fresh dandelion leaves and roots; add. Chop fresh leaves and roots of yellow dock (Rumex crispus) and add. Add all remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and cook covered at least an hour.

 

from, Susun Weed's Healing Wise

Disclaimer

This newsletter is for educational proposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please see your health practioner before making any changes in your diet and/or lifestyle.

 

 

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