Stinging, but beneficial nettle

Several native nettle species are found in the maritime region of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and occasionally species introduced from Europe, including Urtica dioica . Among market gardeners and organic gardeners, the dioecious nettle occupies a special place. Indeed, nettle manure is of immeasurable help in the vegetable garden, as it is used as a fertilizer and helps reduce the presence of certain pests.

Herbalists suggest nettle, in infusion or tincture, to improve the response to allergens and relieve allergies, hay fever, and asthma. I don't suffer much from seasonal allergies, but sometimes in August, I get a sneezing fit. I then make myself a liter of nettle tea and from the first cup, I feel relieved and the sneezing lessens and then disappears. Very rich in minerals and assimilable trace elements, including magnesium and iron, nettle is recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding and to treat problems of anemia and chronic fatigue. Mildly diuretic, nettle increases urine flow in cases of edema, inflammation of the prostate, and urinary tract infections.

A few years ago, I was so surprised to see one of our Belgian neighbors in our stinging nettle bed, bent double, whipping his arms to relieve his arthritic pain! Indeed, because it facilitates the elimination of toxins and remineralizes, nettle soothes painful joints. Its Latin name Urtica means to burn, and anyone who has ever picked up a nettle leaf or plant with their bare hands understands the origin of its name. Nettle has fine, glandular, brittle hairs that release formic acid, which is very irritating when it comes into contact with the skin, causing a burning sensation that reddens and heats the skin. Julius Caesar's soldiers rubbed their bodies with this herbaceous plant to keep warm during their northern campaigns!

This invasive perennial grows between 30 and 60 cm in height. It grows in sun or partial shade in moist, nitrogen-rich soil. It can be sown in spring or late summer. It is easily propagated by division from a mother plant. Transplant every 30 cm. The long, petiolate leaves resemble mint or lemon balm leaves, but are covered with stinging hairs. Its square, erect, and sturdy stems end in clusters of greenish flowers. Sometimes in spring, blackish caterpillars invade the nettle clump and can decimate it in a few days. A BTK treatment can neutralize them.

To best benefit from the active ingredients of nettle, the leaves are picked before flowering to dry them or make an extract in alcohol or vinegar. It helps increase energy levels and as Marie Provost says: "If you drink a liter of nettle infusion during the day, at the end of a long day of work, in the evening, you still have the energy to make your jams." She adds that it is THE plant she would take to a desert island. In spring, the very young leaves are eaten raw in salads, but as soon as they are more mature, they are used cooked in many recipes where it can replace spinach.

Diane Mackay, herbalist and seed grower.