Stinging Nettle

Drinking house made nettle kombucha as I write this. I harvested some baby nettle shoots recently at the Wolf Tree Natural Trail. I only got stung a couple times. Look at the texture of the stingers on those stems!

I've been drinking quite a bit of nettle tea these last few weeks. Trying to stave off Spring allergies, for they are effective antihistamines. I've been sticking it in stir frys and made a white pasta sauce. Here are more recipes: http://www.thekitchn.com/stinging-nettles-8-recipes-for-145582 

If you want to go wildcrafting you may find the plant in shady areas in larger parks. They crop up where soil is fertile, in woodland areas. Now is the time to go and harvest the young plants, which are nutrient dense and fresh. I remember the first time I attempted to harvest nettle from a guidebook many years ago while on a camping trip. I was pretty sure I'd identified the plant correctly but was too intimidated to sting myself. I've now come to appreciate the subtle sting sensation that lasts about a half hour, though I don't go out of my way for it.

I started to do some research in books and online since I recently started selling an "Allergies Away" tea with the plant at a local market. Nettle is also a diuretic, which may be a problem if you are taking other drugs such as caffeine, alcohol or pharmaceuticals - increasing dehydration. At the same time it aids in lowering blood pressure and blood sugar. Additionally it may alter menstruation - so it seems nettle is powerfully connected to blood. Something to pay attention to if you are consuming a lot of it.