How Do You Harvest And Preserve Stinging Nettles?

Harvest the nettles by cutting off only the upper leaves (no larger than about 3” wide). Check the undersides of the leaves to make sure there is no white spittle present. Since you want only the leaves, you’ll save yourself a lot of effort later by cutting the leaves from the stems as you go.

How do you preserve stinging nettles?

To store your dried stinging nettle, keep the leaves and stems in big pieces to retain as much flavor and essential oils as possible. Store in paper bags or glass jars (avoid plastic bags as they may lead to condensation). Store in a cool, dark, dry place where temperatures are consistent. Use within 6-12 months.

Do you have to dry nettles for tea?

Make sure not to dry them to the point where they lose their green color and turn brown or black. You can also hang them to dry, use a dehydrator or be creative with your method. It’s just fine to use fresh plant material to make tea, I just prefer the taste of dried nettle.

How do you prepare nettles for consumption?

Nettles need to be thoroughly cleaned and de-stung before eating. To do this, the easiest method is blanching them in boiling water and rinsing them afterward, squeezing out the water before sautéing them or adding them into soups or stews.

How long does dried nettle last?

18 months
Once dried, the nettle will retain it’s potency for up to 18 months so you don’t need to be in a rush to consume it.

Can you eat stinging nettle raw?

It’s the simplest way of getting nettle into your body, but you can also cook it into larger dishes or even apply it topically if you have a skin irritation. Because the stings have to remain firm to cause the irritation, cooking the leaf instantly makes them safe – don’t try to eat the leaf raw in a salad or anything.

What are the health benefits of stinging nettle?

Here are 6 evidence-based benefits of stinging nettle.

• Contains Many Nutrients. Stinging nettle’s leaves and root provide a wide variety of nutrients, including (1):
• May Reduce Inflammation.
• May Treat Enlarged Prostate Symptoms.
• May Treat Hay Fever.
• May Lower Blood Pressure.
• May Aid Blood Sugar Control.

What part of stinging nettle is edible?

leaves
The leaves are edible at any stage of the plants’ growth. Cooking or drying them denatures the sting. They are nice and tender earlier in the season when they’re young. If they have already grown flowers and seeds, they’re still perfectly edible – just pick the smaller leaves near the top.

What part of the nettle can you eat?

People pick the roots, seeds, stems, young shoots and leaves of stinging nettle for food or medicinal use. Tall, mature plants can even be harvested for their long fibres which are ideal for making textiles or ropes. In this post, I focus on using the leaves and young, tender stems.

Can you drink nettle tea everyday?

Drinking just one cup of nettle tea every day can improve your health!

Which is better stinging nettle leaf or root?

Used externally, Nettle leaf can serve as a remedy for oily hair and dandruff. Nettle root is specific for prostate health (especially for alleviating the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia), and the seeds are used as a kidney-rejuvenating tonic in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

When should you eat nettles?

Nettles are best eaten when tender so early to mid spring is when they’re at their seasonal best.

Are all nettles edible?

Edible Parts
Leaves, stems and roots are edible. Young leaves are preferable however, no matter how far into the growing season be sure to remember that until dried or cooked, stinging nettle leaves will have those stinging hairs – never eat them raw!

Should you wash nettles?

Place nettles in a bucket, you don’t need to wash them if you are using them in the garden. Pour cold water over them. Let them steep, covered for 48 hours or even longer.

Does nettle tea thin your blood?

Antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs (blood thinners)
Stinging nettle may affect the blood’s ability to clot, and could interfere with blood-thinning drugs, including: Warfarin (Coumadin)

Is stinging nettle tea good for you?

The Bottom Line. Stinging nettle is a nutritious plant popular in Western herbal medicine. Studies suggest that it may reduce inflammation, hay fever symptoms, blood pressure and blood sugar levels — among other benefits.

Who should not drink nettle tea?

Pregnant people
Interactions. 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.

Is there a difference between nettle and stinging nettle?

Nettle leaf tea is derived from the leaves of the common nettle plant, also known as the stinging nettle. The scientific name for this plant is Urtica dioica. The ‘stinging’ moniker is apt, as handling the plant with exposed skin is known to produce a burning sensation that persists after contact.

Does nettle lower blood pressure?

Low blood pressure: Stinging nettle above ground parts might lower blood pressure. In theory, stinging nettle might increase the risk of blood pressure dropping too low in people prone to low blood pressure. If you have low blood pressure, discuss stinging nettle with your healthcare provider before starting it.

When should you not pick nettles?

Here’s just 4 times it is good not to pick nettles for food.

• Don’t pick Stinging Nettles when in Flower.
• Avoid polluted sites.
• Avoid when leave are tinged with purple.
• When you don’t have gloves or have lots of exposed skin.
• 26 comments on “When NOT to Eat Stinging Nettles”

Why does nettle tea turn black?

8. After steeping for many hours, the infusion will turn a very dark green color that is so dark it looks black in the jar and you won’t be able to see through it. 9. Next you need to strain the liquid out of the nettle leaves.