Unfortunately, the nettle does not have a particularly good reputation. Getting up close and personal with her requires courage. But: Their leaves don't just contain nettle toxins. They are used in medicine, in the kitchen and in the green paradises of many organic gardeners.
What can nettle leaves be used for and what are their benefits?
Nettle leaves are nutrient-rich, versatile and have healing properties. They can be used as tea, spinach, in smoothies, salads or soups and have an anti-inflammatory and flushing effect. The leaves are rich in protein, vitamin C, iron and calcium.
What do the leaves look like?
The leaves of the nettle differ depending on the species. What may be important to you is that the leaves of the small nettle contain more effective nettle poison (contact is more painful) than the leaves of the large nettle.
Characteristics that the leaves of all nettle species have in common are:
- opposed around the bristly stems
- adhering to stem
- elliptical to ovoid leaf blades
- serrated edge
- green color
- pointed ending
- existing stipules
The nettle poison – where exactly is it?
Most of the stinging hairs in which the nettle poison is located are on the upper side of the leaves. They are long tubes whose top tips are brittle like glass. When touched, the tips burst and the nettle poison, which is located in the lower tube area, is injected upwards into the skin.
Picking the leaves
From April - and in mild locations as early as March - the first leaves of the nettle can be picked. The ideal period for picking the leaves is between May and June. Ideally, you should only collect the young leaves. These taste best.
Versatile: tea, spinach, manure, mulch etc
The nettle leaves are safe to eat. They can be used in the kitchen both fresh, dried or previously frozen. For example, they are suitable for:
- Salads
- Tea
- Smoothies
- Juices
- Stews
- Soups
- Herb dips
- steamed vegetables (spinach)
- Casseroles
- Omlets
You can also use the leaves for mulching or to make nettle manure. The manure can be used as a fertilizer, pesticide and herbicide, among other things. Unlike chemicals, this does not harm the environment.
Nutritional and medicinal
Here are more benefits of nettle leaves:
- high protein
- Vitamin C-rich
- iron empire
- calcium-rich
- sweet-tart taste
- has a flushing and anti-inflammatory effect
- Use among others for/against: rheumatism, intestinal diseases, urinary tract infections, high blood pressure
- accumulate more nitrate as we get older
Tip
Do not harvest the leaves after it has rained as they will have lost a lot of their aroma.
