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Thursday night: Chance of showers. Low minus 2. POP 60%
Current Temp: 3.1°C
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Get your ad here

Stinging nettle – the ultimate spring tonic

Featured in I Love Creston Magazine - Apr, 2012
Maya Skalinska - Master Herbalist
Nettle leaf is among the most valuable herbal remedies. It’s packed with nutrients and grows abundantly all over the
Kootenays.
Many shy away from this wonderful superfood, as it does sting, but read on to get some great tips on how to harvest and cook the plant, and get rid of the sting.
I’ll start with the amazing nutritional value you can get from
a bunch of young nettle leaf
cooked or steamed . . . a true superfood.
It is rich in iron, boron, calcium, potassium, sulphur, vitamin A, B complex, vitamin C, chlorophyl and antioxidants, as well as many constituents that have anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antiallergenic, decongestant and antihistamine effects, just to name a few. Nettles are also a great source of complete protein. So what does this all mean?
Nettle’s iron content makes it a wonderful blood builder, and the presence of vitamin C aids in the iron absorption, which makes nettle an excellent herb for anemia and fatigue.
Boron is a trace mineral essential for healthy bones as it helps bones retain calcium. It also has a beneficial influence on the body’s endocrine (hormonal) system, as hormones play a role in helping the body maintain healthy bones and joints. The boron and calcium combination helps prevent osteoporosis.
The antioxidants and high levels of potassium and chlorophyl help with cardiovascular disorders, tumours and immune deficiency.
In herbal medicine, nettle leaf is very effective for arthritis, rheumatism, gout, kidney disease, fluid retention and bladder infections. It also gently cleanses the body of metabolic wastes and has a stimulating effect on the lymphatic system, enhancing the excretion of wastes through the kidneys.
In freeze-dried form, nettle leaf is great for treating hay fever, asthma, seasonal allergies and hives.
Several clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of stinging nettle in treating enlarged prostate glands (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH). A combination of nettle root and saw palmetto was found to be equally as effective as prescription drugs for BPH, but without any side effects.
Harvest nettles in early spring, wearing long sleeves, gloves and boots. Using scissors, cut five to seven inches from the top. To dry, hang it in bunches upside down in a well-ventilated area. I find twist ties work great for keeping the bunches together.
Once dried, remove the leaves from the stems (I still wear gloves for this) and store in a glass container away from direct sunlight. In case you do get stung, rubbing rosemary, mint or sage leaves on the affected area takes the sting out.
If you have arthritis in your hands or wrists, don’t wear gloves. The sting is an effective medicine for arthritis.
I recommend three cups daily of nettle tea made with two to three teaspoons of dried leaf, steeped 10 to 15 minutes in a pint of boiling hot water or, for BPH, two to three teaspoons of the root per cup of tea.
For allergies, take one or two 240- to 300-milligram freeze-dried nettle capsules, three times per day. Nettle is completely non-toxic and safe to use.
Ingredients:
2 tbsp. butter, divided
1 onion, chopped
1 tsp. sea salt, plus more to taste
2-3 potatoes, chopped (or ˝ cup white rice)
4-6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1/2 to 1 lb. stinging nettle leaves (wear gloves to remove the leaves from stem)
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)
sour cream or yogurt (optional)
Preparation:
In a large pot, melt 1 tbsp. butter. Add onion and 1 tsp. salt. Cook, until onions are soft.
Add potatoes (or rice) and broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to maintain a steady simmer and cook 15 minutes.
Add nettles and cook until very tender. Stir in remaining 1 tbsp. butter, pepper and nutmeg.
Puree soup. Stir in cream, if using. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper.
Serve hot, garnished with sour cream or yogurt. Makes 4 to 6 servings.
There’s something very special about harvesting and making your own medicine.
I invite you to try it out this spring. Your body will thank you for it.
Maya Skalinska is a master herbalist and registered herbal therapist offering iridology, pulse and tongue analysis, herbal medicine, nutrition consultations and flower essences in Crawford Bay and at Vital Health in Creston. For more information or to book an appointment call 250-225-3493.

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