Nettles and Burdock

Stinging Nettle Urtica dioica

What's in the sting?

What makes stinging nettles sting? Histamine is the answer, as well as a small dose of formic acid. You've probably heard of antihistamines, like Benadryl, that are taken for allergies, well, histamine is the chemical that incites those little stinging welts that nettles brings when handled - like a little allergic reaction. Gloves and long sleeves are most definately recommended when handling nettles although I know some folks who have handled nettles enough that it no longer seems to bother them. The sting is temporary and does not spread.

Not to worry though! Once dried the stinging effect of nettle's fine prickly hairs is no longer active, which makes it safe for handling, not to mention drinking in tea and using in other herbal preparations.

One of my favorite herbal teas is made with stinging nettles. It's cool, drying characteristic can be very refreshing as well as nutritious. A strong tea is also useful for soaking a cloth to use as an herbal compress for joint and nerve pains, to soothe hemorrhoids, or to use as a nourishing herbal hair rinse. The leaves of stinging nettle supply minerals including iron and silica, and are high in vitamin C in addition to being a source of vitamins A and B. The leaves also contain some serotonin.

Stimulating!

Nettles get the body going in several ways, including the ways of elimination. Nettles will clean out your system via the kidneys. It has been used to in cases of gout due to it ability to eliminate uric acid. Nettles are often recommended for skin problems since the toxins that it helps the body eliminate are often responsible for these. Nettles also help to relieve bleeding.

Some medieval history

Stinging nettles were a staple in the kitchen during medieval times. This wild herb provided greens to be cooked with many a meal. Nettles were also used for treating rheumatic pains by flogging the affected area with nettle branches. The resulting redness and warmth from the increased blood flow brought relief to the afflicted. This process, called urtication, was also used as a treatment for paralysis.

The Romans also used nettles. A piece would be carried by a soldier to bring courage. It was also rubbed on the skin to bring warmth.

Don't we just hate these prickly pests?

Now you can put them to use! Whether it's in tea, as a veggie or in the compost, you may discover nettles and burdock to be more useful than you thought before. If nothing else, both of these herbs are a healthy addition to the compost, not only making it richer but aiding in breakdown.

Take heed to know your herbs before you pick - at a quick glance rhubarb can be misplaced for burdock if you are not aware that rhubarb has red stalks. While the stalks of rhubarb can be a pie baker's delight the leaves contain a high level of oxalates that can be toxic to your system.

Burdock Articum lappa

The underside of a burdock leaf.

A very deep herb

You may think you'll never get to the end of a burdock root as you dig it out of the earth. That's ok, get as much as you can and the remaining root will spring up again next year in to new burdock plants. It's deep character matches with its cool, bitter characteristic. This root, like nettle leaves, is an herbal cleanser. Burdock root has been used to clear renal stones and to stimulate the liver to process toxins for elimination by the kidneys.

Burdock root is also a freebie for the kitchen. Alone, or with other roots like carrots, dandelion and parsnips it can make a tasty side dish or complement a stew. I recommend it with herbs and garlic.

burdock plant showing young burrs developing

This young burdock plant is just beginning to grow the nasty burrs known for their unwanted hitch-hiking capabilities.

The top for on top

The leaves can be gathered to use as an herbal tea but I like to use them as a poultice for the skin. Wrapped around sores and abrasions it soothes and reduces inflammation. Nature's first aid! And don't forget to throw it all in the compost when you're done.

What's in those hitch-hikers?

Those burrs are just trying to bring the seeds they enclose to further pastures. Their needles are hooked and, like velcro, they will cling to anything clingable. Beware - they are prolific and if you are handling them don't let them drop just anywhere or they will come back to haunt you.

That said, those burdock seeds inside the burrs are useful as well. They contain essential fatty acids as well as vitamins A and riboflavin. They have a cool but slightly spicy character. An herbal decoction of burdock seeds (made by boiling seeds in water and then straining) can be used for hot, feverish colds and sore throats.