Flora Friday - Nettles

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Hello all!! This week's Flora Friday is about Nettles!


Nettles belong to the family Urticaceae in which the species is further divided into 6 subspecies, 5 of which sting. I have determined that the Nettles pictured here are Common Nettles (Urtica dioica), other names include:

- Stinging Nettle
- Giant Nettle
- Nettle
- European Nettle
- Lateng
- California Nettle
- Slender Nettle
- Tall Nettle
- Big-sting Nettle
- Common Stinging Nettle
- Wild Nettle
- Great Nettle
- Greater Nettle
- European Stinging Nettle
- True Nettle



Where to find

Common Nettles are originally native to Europe, some of temperate Asia and western North Africa but are now world wide! Nettles prefer damp, fertile, disturbed ground so I can be found on and around agricultural sites, gardens, hedgerows, fields, woodlands and the like. 


Edible Parts

Surprisingly, this plant is edible!! Nettles have a similar taste to spinach when cooked and contain vitamins A, C, iron, potassium, maganese and calcium. Soaking the Nettles in water or cooking them, will remove the stinging chemicals from the plant which allows then to be consumed and handled. Popular recipes include:

- Pesto
- Purée
- Polenta
- Soup
- Cornish Yarg (cheese with a similar taste to Gouda)
- Dough filling for Börek pastry

Once Nettles have entered their flowering and seed setting stage, they should NOT be consumed as the leaves produce particals called Cystoliths. These particals can irritate the urinary tract. Using them after they have flowered will also harm your liver and consuming them as a tea whilst pregnant can cause the uterus to contract!


The leaves and flowers can be dried and used as a tea. Young Nettles can also be used to make beer. 


Medicinal Uses

Nettles have been used for various ailments over the centuries and some uses still persist in modern times, these include treating:

- Painful muscles and joints
- Eczema
- Arthritis/Osteoarthritis
- Gout
- Anemia
- Enlarged Prostate symptoms
- Inflammation
- Hay fever
- Lowering blood pressure
- Blood sugar control
- Urinary tract infections

Do not substitute Nettles for ongoing treatment.


Magical Uses

Nettles are associated with Mars, fire, masculinity, Arises ♈, Scorpio ♏ and Libra ♎. Their properties include:

- Protection
- Healing
- Strength
- Love
- Banishing
- Binding
- Courage


Victorian Flower Language

In Victorian Flower Language, Nettles mean cruelty due to the stinging nature of the plant. If paired with Oleander it means that a betrayal has been discovered and a pairing with Petunia means that an apology has been deemed insincere.


This blog is for educational purposes only, consult local experts if you're unsure. Consult your doctor before trying home remedies!

If you get stung by a Nettle, use an antihistamine cream or anti itch cream or find one of these👇🏻
This is a Dock Leaf and rubbing one on a Nettle sting site is said to stop the stinging sensation.

           Use caution when handling Nettles!!



I hope you've enjoyed this week's Flora Friday!! Keep your eye out for next week!!



Blessings,

C )0(


👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

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