When most home gardeners see stinging nettles, their first instinct is to grab the shears and a shovel. It’s usually a “search and destroy” mission—cut the tops, dig out the roots, and get them out of the yard. But hold on a second! Before you wage war on these prickly plants, you might be surprised to learn that nettles aren’t actually weeds at all. They’re incredibly versatile plants that can do wonders for your kitchen, your health, and your garden.
In the Kitchen
If you’ve ever tried cooked nettles, you know they taste and feel a whole lot like spinach. Because of that, they’re a fantastic (and free!) substitute in almost any recipe. I love tossing them into soups or blending them into green smoothies for a nice, earthy flavor boost. They also work beautifully in homemade herb sauces or pestos. Just remember: once they’re cooked or dried, they lose their sting!
For Your Health
Nettles are a staple in the world of herbal medicine. Most folks enjoy them as a soothing tea made from dried leaves, but you can also find nettle-based tinctures for topical use. They’ve been used for ages to help with a variety of ailments, including:
- Relief from rheumatism
- Urinary tract infections
- Joint pain and inflammation
In the Garden
It’s ironic that we call them weeds, because nettles are actually one of the best natural weed killers out there. They’re also a lifesaver if you’re dealing with an aphid infestation. The secret is making a “nettle tea” or liquid manure.
First, go out and pick enough nettles to fill a container about three-quarters full. Top it off with water, cover it up, and let it sit in a shady spot for about two weeks. Fair warning: this stuff gets pretty stinky, so you’ll want to keep it in a far corner of the yard! Once it’s fermented, you can spray it (pure or diluted) directly onto aphids or pour it over stubborn weeds you want to get rid of. It’s organic, effective, and totally free!
