Stinging Nettle-Ade Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you make stinging nettles safe to eat? ›

Because the stings have to remain firm to cause the irritation, cooking the leaf instantly makes them safe – don't try to eat the leaf raw in a salad or anything. There are plenty of recipes online for a variety of hot dishes, so see what you fancy. Think of the nettle leaf like spinach and use it in a similar way.

Once the nettles have been washed, pick the leaves off the stalk. At this point, it's best to think of stinging nettles in a similar fashion to spinach in terms of cooking the leaves. Quickly blanching them in a pot of boiling water will deaden the sting.

To make your own nettle infusion, add 100 ml of water and a large handful of clean, young nettle leaves to a pan and bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and let the leaves simmer in the water for about 15-20 minutes. Strain through a fine sieve, discarding the used leaves.

There are several ways to prepare the leaves once you've taken them home. You can wash and dry them by leaving them in the open air, or you can freeze-dry them for long-term storage. If you freeze the leaves, blanch them first. Boil them in water for 2 minutes, then soak them in ice water for 2 more minutes.

Avoid if you're pregnant or breastfeeding because there isn't enough information on its safety. Use with caution if you're elderly because of the potential of causing low blood pressure. And use stinging nettle with caution if you have diabetes because of the potential that it may lower or raise blood sugar levels.

It is important to be careful when handling the nettle plant because touching it can cause an allergic rash. Stinging nettle should never be applied to an open wound. Because nettle can alter the menstrual cycle and may contribute to miscarriage, pregnant women should not use nettle.

Packed with a variety of polyphenolic compounds and pigments, nettle leaf detox drinks reduce liver inflammation. A regular cleanse with nettle leaf detox drinks can help lower blood pressure and improve the heart's antioxidant defenses.

This suggests that nettle has anti-inflammatory properties. However, the study focuses on eating nettle leaves as food rather than on consuming nettle tea. As a result, the tea may not have the same effect. The Arthritis Foundation suggest that people who want to try the tea drink one cup three times per day.

The bottom line. Whether you forage for your own leaves or buy it in a more convenient teabag form, having a cup of nettle tea every day offers a range of health and nutritional benefits, from reducing blood pressure to offering protective anti-inflammatories and antioxidants.

The chemical compounds in stinging nettle have a variety of health benefits for women. Because of its astringent characteristics, it can relieve unpleasant premenstrual symptoms including cramping and bloating, as well as reduce blood flow during menstruation.

Can you eat stinging nettle raw? ›

Scroll up to blog post to see everything you need to know about where to find nettles plus step-by-step instructions with photos! A word of caution: Do NOT eat stinging nettles raw. They will sting your skin and the inside of your mouth. The stingers must be deactivated before eating.

The root extract reduces estrogen synthesis and thus the conversion of androgens to estrogens via blocking aromatase (Gansser and Spiteller, 1995). It was also discovered that root extracts inhibit the prostate cell membrane's enzymatic activity, halting its growth (Chrubasik et al., 2007; Hirano et al., 1994).

Top Tip. Wear gloves and cover skin when handling stinging nettles to avoid irritation from stinging hairs.

There are few, if any, side effects. However, be careful when handling fresh stinging nettle leaves, as their hair-like barbs can harm your skin. These compounds can cause rashes, bumps, hives and itchiness. It might seem a bit scary, but fresh nettles can be eaten raw.

Repetition doesn't create immunity, it's not like a disease. Quite often the opposite happens. The more you're stung the more you react, whether the sting is from a plant or an insect.

When taken by mouth: Stinging nettle is possibly safe when used for up to 1 year. It might cause diarrhea, constipation, and upset stomach in some people.