Stinging nettle

Stinging nettle is an invasive plant known for it’s painful sting; you should always wear gloves while harvesting this one!

Parts Used: Aerial parts, Leaves

Main Constituents: Amines, flavanoids, formic acid; glucoquinones, minerals ( Silica & Iron), Vitamins A, B, C; tannins

Actions/Medicinal Properties: Astringent, diuretic, tonic, nutritive, hemostatic, circulatory stimulant, galactogogue, hypnotensive, antiscorbutic, anti-allergenic, alterative, rubefacient.

Dosage: Tinctures should be taken three per day for allergic reactions; Drink 1 cup of infusions/teas daily for arthritis and rheumatism, gout, and eczema. Infusion can also be used as hair rinse for dandruff.

Stinging Nettle Through History

Though cursed by hikers, gardeners, and homeowners alike, stinging nettle is a nutritional powerhouse, a potent medicine and endlessly useful. Its praises have been sung across the globe and nettle appears in many fables and myths, as well as European, Asian, and American history. 

Records indicating the use of nettle are plentiful throughout European and Asian history. Widespread use is recorded as far back as the Late Bronze Age, or between 1570 and 1200 BCE, and continues today.

Roman soldiers in damp Britain found that rheumatic joints responded to a beating with nettles. Tyroleans threw nettles on the fire to avert thunderstorms, and gathered nettle before sunrise to protect their cattle from evil spirits.”

Folk Stories/Poems

old folk lore tells us we should cite this rhyme during the rubbing process.

Nettle in, Dock
Dock in, Nettle out
Dock rub, Nettle out

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Nettle Plant Stingers

Magical properties

Planet: Mars

Element: Fire

Properties: Protection against negative energies

Stuff a small cloth doll with nettles to remove a curse, or negative energies; Sprinkle the herb around the room to protect or add protection to sachets. Burn during rituals to banish negative energies.

Create a dream protector by filling a small cloth drawstring bag with dried nettle and hang over your pillow to protection against nightmares and negative energy while sleeping.

Make Nettle Moon Tea

Infuse water with moon energy by setting it outdoors to absorb moonlight during waxing phases; or place it near a windowsill indoors, where it can be touched by moonlight. Do this for one to three nights in a row. After infusion, bring moon water to a boil, and pour this over dried nettle leaves. let it infuse for up to 30 minutes; strain and soak up all that lovely moon energy with every sip!

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