After the war food was scarce my mother send us kids to get nettles which was growing abundantly at the creek side ,she made almost every day spinach with whatever we had she surely kept the whole family healthy
Thank you for pointing out the pre-flowering foraging time. There are so many saying you can eat it all year, and I never liked to pick it when it's actually pregnant and birthing, and Ive asked even all professionals/herbalists, and they too said all year long and were not concerned or anything by that point. Again, thank you for your qualitative approach. Love
As a child my grandma and I used to pick nettles (without gloves) and she'd make the most delicious potato nettle soup. It was my favorite thing to eat and I hope to start foraging for them again. I wish I'd lived with my grandma in the village instead of moving to Los Angeles with my family. I'd have so much more knowledge about foraging by learning from my grandma and the other villagers. I'm just happy that the desire to forage has awakened within me. Now as an adult I'm happy to learn from you. Thanks for your amazing channel.
Lol...my nettle loves all our property. When we first moved here 12 years ago, my second son first discovered it...screaming into the house j thought he was dying! We really wern't sure till he calmed down what was going on...one hour later. When I found it, I tried getting rid of it. Thank goodness its stubborn cause once i started researching nettle.. wow. I propagated it into my front yard but kinda wished I wouldn't have...lol. We have it everywhere on our five acres and I love it. Make salves with it, dehydrate it and eat it, tincture it as well.
Hello Monica, in this video I try to show you all the ID details so you know you have the right plant. Best to match your specimen with the video images. But still, even better if you can find someone in person to verify your ID.
I just recently found your channel and it has become my favorite "go to" on learning herbs. When you speak, I can feel the knowledge you have in what you're doing and I trust what you're saying...which is such a relief given how many channels are out there these days you have to be careful who you listen to. Thank you for sharing your knowledge !!
I sell more of this seed than I thought I would. There seems to be quite a bit of demand for it so someone is using it for something. Some of the larger seed suppliers seem to run out of bulk seed on a yearly basis. I haven't even used it yet myself I only got into it as I saw there was a demand for it and I therefor think it has a lot of inherent value. Plus I like having it on the fence line to help preserve my privacy.
So much information in your videos! Thank you for sharing and teaching. I’m not sure if I have this in south Louisiana but I’m going to keep an eye out.
DO YOU HAVE A BOOK WITH RECIPES ABOUT THIS AND OTHER STUFF YOU SPEAK OF? I WANT TO LEARN SO BADLY. I DON'T KNOW HOW TO GROW IT, CAN IT BE GROWN IN TOTES ON MY PATIO. I AM DISABLED, I CAN'T PLOW. THANKS SO MUCH ALSO DO YOU SELL YOUR STUFF?
Thanks, I have 2 books: "Foraging & Feasting: A Field Guide and Wild Food Cookbook" and "Earthly Bodies & Heavenly Hair: Natural and Health Personal Care for Everybody" More about them here: www.botanicalartspress.com/ and here: bookshop.org/p/books/earthly-bodies-heavenly-hair-natural-and-healthy-bodycare-for-every-body-dina-falconi/11815893 Some of the plants can be grown in containers, depending on the herb. Nettle, is probably best grown in the ground.
Wondering if you'd comment on the anti-- Inflammatory response that the stinging helps with joint pain / arthritis etc ....& that topical use of the leaves can be a great help with these issues.... similar to bee venom. Dr. Berg told a story of a farmer who had severe crippling arthritis & could barely walk who flipped his tractor over upon hitting a beehive.....the bees could have stung him to death , but instead they mostly bit the backs of his knees , resulting in marked reduction in his disability. We are surrounded by an amazing life force that is SO much different than the current scientific world view says .....
Hello Thomas, thank you for your comment. I would be curious to hear more about the nettle sting therapy as well. I have heard of folks being helped, but also of it being very uncomfortable......
Do you think it's okay to still pick nettles in early May? I know it's not ideal, and late March/early April is best. But I was too ill/constrained & not able to. Have you harvested them around this time of year before? X
Ah, thanks, but I am not doc! Generally speaking, herbs can be helpful with urinary burning, but of course the specific person/ situation needs addressing. It's best to work with a holistic healthcare provider in person for best care / results. Having said that, cornsilk and marshmallow root are considered soothing for the urinary tract.
Hello Dina, I have these plants in my yard, or they look very similar to the stinging nettle, but it doesn't sting when I touch the stalk. Any insight?
Hello Kate, as you are thinking, if it doesn't sting you don't have stinging nettle (Urtica dioica). But there are a few look a-likes. Perhaps it is White Vervain. More about it here: gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/verbena/urticifolia/ Let us know what you figure out.
Dina can nettle be picked in summer or fall? 🤔? Just wondering keeping to spring is the best time, for the most you can get out of the nettle. Also when is a good time to plant it? Can you plant the seeds in the fall? With winter on its way after that? Thanks a ton!!!! ❤️
Yes, nettle can be picked all growing season. For leaf harvest best to gather before flower, so spring. Or if cut back and new growth occurs that looks tender and succulent, it can be harvested it again. Flower and seed are harvested during those stages of growth. Best to plant it by dividing and transplanting its roots. Spring or fall are usually the best times to do this, when there is plenty of rain and it's not too hot.
Thanks, everything is different, except that they both have hairs / prickly irritating components. More about identifying thistle (btw there are many species of this thistle) here: gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/genus/cirsium/
I watched your video & read the full email. Is use of this herb contraindicated in people like me who get frequent rashes? I have lupus & deal with itchy, fine rashes pretty frequently.
Hello Nancy, thanks for your question. It may be contraindicated for you, but I suggest, if you'd like to try it, start with a small amount and see how it affects you. Keep me posted.
Hmmm..... I suggest looking for it in light sun to part shade in moist, fertile, well drained soil, in meadows, riverbanks, woodland openings, edges, compost piles, gardens. Perhaps an old farm with good amounts of animal manure piles. Good luck and keep us posted.
Its very easy to start from seed. You can find seed online. You have to plant in the winter though to cold treat the seed. I planted hundreds of seeds last fall and have hundreds of plants coming up. It takes me at least an hour to get to my nettle patch but now I'll have one in my yard.
