Toleda, Osda Nvwoti: Stinging Nettle, The Good Medicine

Toleda. Stinging Nettle.

One of the first harvests of the Spring. Stinging Nettle comes alive with the rainfall and sprouts early, blessing the forest floor with a sweet, earthy and almost minty scent that is so thick in the air you can almost taste it. The springtime vibes that Nettle Nation gives off makes you want to go sprinting straight into the leafy green patch of plant relatives, but they carry with them an important reminder for the beginning of foraging season: The Honorable Harvest.

Stinging Nettles do a fabulous job at honoring their name. When you touch one, however slightly, you’ll feel the instant prick of a pin. They are covered in tiny little hairs that will stick to the skin and cause a slight burning, stinging, prickly sensation on the affected area. It only lasts for a short while, but the wrong kind of run-in with these plants and you’ll certainly be sorry.

However, if you carefully consider the plant, you’ll notice something quite special about it. The tops of the leaves are absent of these no-so-friendly pricklers. You can now ask the plant if you can harvest her sprouting tops for food and medicine. Once you feel that you’ve been given permission, very carefully pinch the top leaves down over the stem and clip off the top 1/3 of the plant. You can avoid getting stung this way.

If you do happen to get stung, don’t fret. In fact, the initial sting can be quite invigorating! The uncomfortable sensation will only last a short while afterwards. This was a “slap on the wrist”, so to speak, from your plant relative that you are moving too quickly and not being gentle enough. This harvest takes patience, kindness and a lot of gentleness.

Stinging Nettle makes one of my favorite teas for the Spring and Autumn. This Plant Relative has an abundance of vitamins and minerals that are important to help fight off colds and respiratory issues. It strengthens the blood, lungs, hair, nails and connective tissue; it was also used by Indigenous folks to increase the production of breast milk. This wonderful tea is also used medicinally to fight off gout, support kidney function, and as an antihistamine during the body’s natural responses to seasonal allergies. The root is used to treat enlarged prostate. The leaves can also be boiled (bonus, more tea) and eaten just like you would eat cooked spinach. There is a similar flavor, though a bit brighter, and they are delicious with a little bit of lemon juice, olive oil and toasted pine nuts or crushed toasted peanuts! Warning: be sure to blanche the leaves thoroughly and completely enough that you kill all of the stinging hairs… it will feel the same coming out of you as it does when you get stung on your skin, and it is not pleasant in such a sensitive area.

Ironically, if the plant is processed correctly, the oil can be used to create a salve that will treat almost any skin condition! Stings, cuts, scrapes, bug bites, acne, eczema, bacterial infections, sore muscles, chapped lips - you name it! The vitamins A, B, C, D, and K all help nourish the skin and soothe sore muscles and joints. Applying stinging nettle salve to arthritic areas also significantly reduces pain.

There is something called “tylcholine”, a neurotransmitter also found in the human body, and formic acid found in the venom of ants, within the stinging hairs along the stems. If you sting yourself with fresh leaves, it is said to help restore communication between the nerves. This can also help aid the repair of old injuries to the joints.

Purposefully stinging oneself by walking through a large patch of Stinging Nettle was also a ceremonial practice among the Kawaiisu People as a preparation for receiving medicine visions.

Toleda is one of my favorite Plant Relatives because she welcomes Spring, teaches the honorable harvest, provides essential vitamins and minerals we have been lacking from the Winter, provides delicious sources of food and drink, and offers powerful nvwoti (medicine). Wado to Nettle Nation!