Spring Time Super Tonic Food, The Nettles

[suzanne sanders]

Stinging Nettle is a super tonic herb.  It is consider the "long life" herb and is a vitamin factory, rich in iron, calcium, potassium, silicon, magnesium, manganese, zinc and chromium as well as a host of other vitamins and minerals.   It even makes a great hair tonic! 

Stinging Nettle activates the metabolism by strengthening and toning the entire system.  Great for growing pains in young children.  Nettle is used for alleviating the symptoms of PMS, menopause, and is excellent for making a  reproductive tonic for men and women.  Rosemary Gladstar says it is a superb herb for the genitourinary system and will strengthen weak kidneys, essential for vitality and energy.  Also great for liver problems and is excellent for allergies and hay fever.  Stinging Nettle tastes really good! 

Now is the time of year to go look for it and harvest some.  I also like to dry it for future use.  Remember wear gloves! Make sure you do not collect Nettle where someone has sprayed chemicals!  

How to harvest: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eth05p_UYh8

How to make a Nettle infusion.  I really recommend this! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRoMWmQaWvU

 Of course you cook Nettle, there are some who eat it raw, but if eating it is new to you I do not suggest doing this yet.  Here are just a few great recipes that you can make using  this wonderful plant.  

Nettles Pesto

2 cups stinging nettles leaves, packe

1 cup basil leaves, packed

3 tablespoons lemon juice

3 tablespoons organic olive oil

2 medium cloves garlic, coarsely chopped

1. Place nettles leaves, basil, lemon juice, olive oil and garlic in a food processor or blender.  
2. Pulse ingredients until almost smooth
3. Serve on cucumbers, rice cakes, gluten free crackers, on top of rice, meat you can get really creative. 

Side note:  There have been times we did not have a blender to make our nettle pesto, so we blanched it.   Then chop it up with all the other ingredients.

Other Nettle Pesto recipes: 

http://myecoblog.org/2012/05/11/raw-kitchen-corner-stinging-nettle-...

Remember you do not have to put the cheese:

http://edibleportland.com/2011/03/stinging-nettle-pesto/

Steamed Nettle with Balsamic Vinegar on it is really yummy.  You can add it to your casseroles  eggs, soups, lasagna, smoothies and make hot tea.  Here is a link for some more ideas for your tastes buds: 

http://www.mariquita.com/recipes/nettles.html

I would like to urge you to try this wonderful herb called Nettle.  It is that time of year to use Nettle as a springtime elixir. It has more nutrients than any veggie you would buy at the store.  One of the earliest green plants to emerge each spring.  Remember Nettles are healthful have restorative benefits which boost the immune system and awaken the body to spring.