The so-called Stinging Nettle is a native plant, flowering from June. Nettles, which are high in boron, eaten as greens, or nettle tea, are taken for arthritic pain, hayfever, hives, osteoporosis, and prostate enlargement. The tea is made as an infusion, with honey or lemon to taste, and taken for stomach complaints. It is also a useful gargle and mouth wash. When cold it is a soothing lotion for burns and rashes. Rheumatics used to flog themselves (holming) with nettles to stimulate their joints and promote circulation, and nettle ointment relieves pain. Nettle juice stops nosebleeds, is also a useful gargle, soothes burns, and relieves the symptoms of asthma and bronchial complaints. It is also a good hair tonic and growth stimulant. Simmer nettle tops in water for 2 hours and strain. Add a little vinegar to use as a hair rinse if you have dandruff. The juice also relieves nettle stings, although so does rubbing with rosemary, mint or sage, but not dock leaves! Nettle fibres were once used to make thread for weaving sheets and tablecloths, and to make clothes and paper. The plant gives a green dye when boiled. It was once used to pack around fruit to assist ripening.
Traditionally, 1st May was Ducking Day, when girls were soaked with water, 2nd May was Sting Nettle Day, when girls had their legs stung, and 3rd May was Petticoat Day, when girls had their petticoats lifted.
The flowers are greenish-yellow on male plants and green on female plants. The formic acid that produces the stinging sensation is destroyed if nettles are boiled as one would do for spinach. The tops are rich in vitamins A and C, but should only be eaten before flowering starts as after this they become too tough. Ideally, the shoots, young leaves and tops are best picked only in the Spring. They can be tossed in a little butter and seasoned with salt and pepper.
Nettles - in poetry
Why not take a minute to enjoy two short poems about nettles? One, Nettles by Vernon Scannell (on the Tutorfair website) explores the poet's reaction to the time when his three-year-old son falls into a bed of nettles, while the other, shorter poem, Tall Nettles by Edward Thomas, finds in the same plant something unexpected.
