nettle tea

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Well interestingly, I have started drinking a big cup every day, and I do notice a really nice effect. About halfway through it, I notice a slight warm flush through my whole body, very subtle but definitely there, and this very pleasant effect lasts for several hours. It's a nice feeling of physical vibrancy and well being. Sort of like the feeling after being out in the sun for 10 or 15 minutes.

I then started reading about all the good stuff nettle is supposed to do for you, and in fact it has a variety of vitamins and nutrients in it...minerals, B complex, calcium, magnesium, vit.E, just to name a few. Then there is a long list of physical issues nettle can help with. Pretty impressive really.
My usual default is to be skeptical about herb health claims, but this lovely warm glow feeling is something I now look forward to in my afternoon, and knowing it has nutritional benefits too is definitely a plus.
Diggin' my nettle tea!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I have some stinging nettle growing in my yard. Today for the first time I cut the tender 4" tips of each stalk and simmered them quickly in water, let them sit for a few mintues, then drained and added a dab of butter and a dash of salt. Oh my goodness, they are really good! In a spinach-y sort of way, but with their own flavor. DH didn't care for them, but I thought they were a real treat! Supposed to be loaded with nutrition, so I guess I'll be an avid nettle-picker from now on.
I saved the cooking water which was quite potent, and added a touch of honey and put it in the fridge for a 'tonic tea'.

[staceysue]

I cook up nettles and eat them in the spring. They're delicious.

I also get use Simplers Nettle-Radish compound for my allegery-induced sinus headaches and it has really worked wonders.

[badger]

hmm, I'll have to give it a try again. It could very well be that the leaves inside the tea bag was old. It was packaged only in a thin cardboard box and sat in my cupboard for a while.

It's interesting that I've never noticed nettle here, but I see it all the time in England. Even got "stung" once, and itched like a bajeezus!

[staceysue]

Wherever there's nettle, you'll usually find yellow dock growing next to it. If you chew up a yellow dock leaf and rub it on the place where you got stung, it will take the sting out. Just one of those interesting facts that are stuck in my head.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

That cooked nettle was so delicious that I'm now going to cordon off the area there so the nettles can continue to grow without danger of being mowed again.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

That cooked nettle was so delicious that I'm now going to cordon off the area there so the nettles can continue to grow without danger of being mowed again.

Update, one year later....
Now it's the following Spring. The nettles have been coming up nicely in that area that I cordoned off. They were growing all fresh and bushy and tender, about 7" tall.
I snipped off the top 3" of most of the shoots, and had enough for one big bowl of the nettle tops simmered in water for a couple minutes. I added a pinch of sea salt and a pat of butter. YUM!!!!!!!!!! I think they are even better than steamed fresh spinach. I know they are supposed to be incredibly nutritious.
Next week I'll probably have enough for another serving!