March Herb of the month - Freeze-dried Nettles

Beyond the Sting - A Nutritional Powerhouse

While stinging nettles might be best known for their memorable introduction to unsuspecting passersby, there's much more to these early spring greens than meets the eye. Sprouting up across North America in forests, fields, and along waterways, nettles have a unique way of announcing their presence, thanks to tiny hairs that deliver a sting loaded with natural chemicals like histamines. This sting, though initially uncomfortable, fades to a gentle tingle and has even been embraced in traditional remedies to soothe joint discomfort through a process known as urtication, named after the nettle's Latin moniker, "Urtica dioica".

Don't let nettles prickly defense deter you! These plants are a nutritional treasure trove, offering an impressive array of benefits that go far beyond their sting. While fresh nettles are best for capturing their vibrant essence and nutritional profile, not everyone has access to them year-round. Here's where freeze-dried nettles shine as the best alternative. Unlike other drying methods, freeze-drying is the only process that preserves the full spectrum of nettles' benefits, ensuring that their essential minerals such as calcium, potassium, and iron, and their superior amino acid profile remain intact. With a host of polyphenols like carotenoids, nettles have earned their place as a cherished staple in traditional diets around the globe. 

Whether enjoyed in a hearty cooked dish, steeped as a soothing tea, or conveniently consumed as freeze-dried, nettles offer a delightful way to tap into their vast health benefits, proving they're truly a plant worth getting to know (just remember to handle them carefully!).

The Historical Use of Nettles

One of the intriguing roles nettles plays is in aiding the body during seasonal changes, especially when airborne allergens are prevalent, potentially triggering immune reactions. Despite its own histamine content, nettles act as a natural antihistamine, helping to manage the body’s allergic response. This application for nettles in modern herbalism is relatively new, having gained prominence only a few decades ago. Before then, seasonal allergies were not a significant issue for Indigenous communities before colonization, meaning there wasn't a longstanding tradition of using nettles for this purpose.

A turning point came in 1989 when naturopathic physician Ed Alstat, the founder of Eclectic, noticed nettles' potential in supporting the sinuses, almost by accident. An employee, intending to take Echinacea but mistakenly using nettles instead, experienced unexpected relief. This observation led Ed to conduct a rigorous clinical trial, which confirmed that freeze-dried nettles were indeed effective against allergic rhinitis, significantly more so than a placebo. 

Ed's discovery has since made its way into holistic health practices globally, underscoring the importance of using nettles in their fresh or freeze-dried form for maximum benefit against histamine reactions.

The Amazing Health Benefits of Nettles

Nettles might just be nature's unsung hero! Often brushed off for their prickly greeting, these leafy greens are bursting with benefits that can do wonders for your health. What's even more exciting is discovering the magic of freeze-dried nettles, which capture and preserve all the goodness of fresh nettles in a convenient, accessible form. From a powerhouse of essential nutrients to suppotring general wellness, freeze-dried nettles bring the garden's best directly to you without the sting. Let's dive into the myriad of benefits that nettles, especially when freeze-dried, have to offer, showcasing why this vibrant green deserves a spot in your wellness repertoire.

• Rich in Nutrients: Nettles are packed with vitamins (A, C, K, and several B vitamins), minerals (calcium, iron, magnesium), proteins, and amino acids.
• Inflammatory Support: Helpful for supporting healthy joints.
• Natural Antihistamine: Can support sinus health by acting as a natural antihistamine.
• Supports Prostate and Urinary Tract Health: The root has compounds which support the prostate and urinary functions.
• Boosts Immune System: High in antioxidants and compounds that can strengthen the body’s natural defenses.
• Promotes Lactation: Can be used as a galactagogue to support milk production in breastfeeding mothers.
• Improves Skin Health: Can be used topically to soothe the skin.
• Hair and Scalp Health: Used in hair care products to support scalp health.

Nettles offer a wide array of health benefits, making them a valuable addition to a healthy lifestyle, whether consumed as food, taken as a freeze-dried nettle supplement, or applied topically.

How to Harvest Stinging Nettles

Harvesting nettles requires some care to avoid their sting, necessitating gloves and protective clothing. Young nettles, before they flower and develop crystals potentially irritating to the urinary tract, are ideal for harvesting. 

Using garden pruners, only the top few leaves should be collected, ensuring the plant continues to thrive. It's also advised to harvest away from pollution to avoid toxin accumulation in the plants.

After harvesting, laying nettles out to allow any small critters to depart is a good practice. The sting of nettles diminishes upon drying or cooking. While air-drying them is a simple method for preservation, it's noted that air-dried nettles, though nutritious, don't offer the same antihistamine benefits as fresh or freeze-dried forms. 

It is best to freeze freshly harvested stinging nettles, they can be frozen as fresh, or they can be blanched and drained before freezing. If blanching your harvest of nettles, be sure to retain the liquid or "tea" as this is very nutritional and can be taken as a health tonic.