nettles

Andy Hamilton · Sat Feb 26, 2005 2:24 pm

Just been doing a bit of research for herb of the month and found that there is going to be a national nettle week in may. So that is herb of the month sorted for may http://www.nettles.org.uk/ any suggestions of what to write about?

Wombat · Post: # 1175Post **Wombat** » Sun Feb 27, 2005 7:22 am

What they look like ie, how you recognise them - they are supposedly naturalised here, but I can't think that I have ever seen them!

Andy Hamilton · Sun Feb 27, 2005 1:56 pm

have a look at the nettle soup article - http://www.selfsufficientish.com/nettles.htm there is a picture there. I will update that at some point with one that is easier to see.

realwildchild · Thu Mar 03, 2005 8:13 am

Having tried Nettle soup for the first time last year, I would recommend it to everyone!

Have decided that Nettles are fantastic - I can't believe that I used to curse them (although I still get fed up with the roots everywhere

) They make fantastic soup, can be steamed as a side veg (a little like spinach) they freeze well and make a brilliant organic spray for the growing veg.

Hail to the nettle, thats what I say

judyofthewoods · Thu Mar 03, 2005 11:21 am

Wellcome, realwildchild. Would you believe it, the first thing I actually planted here was nettles and dandelions.

Andy Hamilton · Thu Mar 03, 2005 5:42 pm

judyofthewoods wrote:Wellcome, realwildchild. Would you believe it, the first thing I actually planted here was nettles and dandelions.

I quite like the story you said about nettle leaves and salads Judy, sounds like the sort of thing I would do.

realwildchild · Fri Mar 04, 2005 9:05 am

Hmmm, dandilions. I've never tried these, I've been told that they are quite bitter?

Did you make a nettle salad?

I know that they are supposed to lose their sting an hour or so once picked but I've never been brave enough to put it to the test.

....or is there a more sinister story linked to this?

[/quote]

judyofthewoods · Mon Mar 07, 2005 2:15 am

I thought if I ate very young raw nettle leaves they would be fine in a slad, with painful consequences.

realwildchild · Tue Mar 08, 2005 12:30 pm

ouch!

realwildchild · Tue Mar 08, 2005 12:32 pm

How long did you leave them between picking and eating? I'm sure that I have read that after 2 or 3 hours the sting goes, but have never tried this out to see if it is true.

Has anyone any idea if this is true or not?

Andy Hamilton · Tue Mar 08, 2005 12:45 pm

I just did a bit of research myself Lesley Bremness in "the complete book of herbs" list in the nettle uses section "eat in a salad".

The leaves muyst loose their sting once picked in that case I guess. Still after hearing about judy's experience I would be pretty reluctant.

Guest · Post: # 1368Post **Guest** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 5:49 pm

I'm sure I read somewhere about the use of nettles to make a hair rinse. Not sure of the method though. Any ideas?

Chickenlady · Tue Mar 08, 2005 5:51 pm

whoops! Me again! Can't seem to make my computer log me in automatically...

Andy Hamilton · Tue Mar 08, 2005 6:56 pm

nettle scalp conditioner

125 g of nettle tops
600 ml water
600 ml cider vinegar
4 drops of rosemary oil

boil nettle tips, vinegar and water for half hour. Cool and strain..
Transfer into a sterilised bottle add the rosemary oil. keep in the fridge and use within a month.

Message into the scalp daily and let it dry naturaly. This is suposed to promote hair growth and conditions the scalp.

I have just bought a book on full of natural body treatments so there should be a page popping up at some point. Will experiment with a few first.

judyofthewoods · Tue Mar 08, 2005 10:05 pm

I can assure you, they don't loose their sting after picking! They might be suitable after blanching perhaps, minimum cooking just for the nettles and added to a normal salad.