Here in the U.K most of us tend to avoid nettles like the plague but in reality these are some of the most useful and versatile plants around. In places like Holland, England and many other European countries these 'weeds' grow rife in woodland areas and will come back year after year with a vengeance if the roots below ground level are kept in place. In hotter climates it's not as freely available and many cultivate them especially. Nettles have been written about in sacred texts for thousands of years informing coming generations of its incredible health benefits and vast nutritional values.
Proven to aid low and high blood sugar levels by balancing them to neutral and even known to help people with joint problems such as arthritis, this has a sting that can be cured immediately by using its leaves own juice. On the market now there is even a variety that is grown especially for consumption, without spikes! Either way a good blending will get rid of all spikes and can be drunk in a juice, as a tea or even a wine! Nettles can be just as easily used in your families daily diet giving all of the vitamins they need that the body is designed to process unlike the tablets you see in the shops!
It's recommended that you eat the younger shoots as this is where most of the energy is concentrated and will pack the biggest punch. Eaten raw, the leaves can be rolled up in a wafer shape so all of the stinging hairs are pointing up and away from you. There may be a slight sting in your mouth but the sting will be counteracted by the juices almost immediately. There are plenty of plantsmen and botanists out there who are championing Nettles as the benefits are endless. As a gardener and designer myself I very much appreciate plants and their abilities to help us physically and mentally and would love to see more people embrace the benefits that stare us in the face.
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