1.) This prehistoric plant has been in use by humans from the Bronze Age. Nettle stems contain a fibre, which may be used for making ropes, sails, nets, clothing and beddings.
2.) The plant has a long history of use as a medicine, as a food source and as a source of fibre.
3.) Nettles contain more iron than spinach and are a rich source of vitamin C.
5.) Nettle tea is a favourite herbal medicine used to treat conditions such as gout and rheumatism.
6.) Janice Schofield’s book, Discovering Wild Plants, tells us also that not only are nettles a true super food, they are used traditionally as a spring cleaning for the digestive system.
7.) The sting produced by the stinging nettle is an effective way to avoid being eaten and makes patches of stinging nettles an important haven for many caterpillars and other insects.
8.) Leaves and steams of the nettles has small fragile hair, which have many hollow stinging hairs called trichomes on the leaves and stems, which act like hypodermic needles, injecting histamine and other chemicals that produce a stinging sensation when contacted by humans and other animals.
9.)To enable fish to remain fresh during a fishing trip, in Eastern Europe people would wrap the fish in stinging nettles as it would not let bacteria to multiply.
10.) Leaves of the nettle may be used for producing beautiful and permanent green dye.
11.) In Dorset each year the Annual stinging Nettle Eating Contest takes place. Contestants are given two foot long stalks of stinging nettles and have one hour to eat as many leaves as possible.
12.) Nettle acts as a hair tonic and growth stimulant, restoring colour, and beauty to hair. It improves the health of skin, scalp, and hair; strengthens weakened hair follicles; and removes dandruff. It is composed into some shampoos, but also simple nettle tea can be used as a skin toner and hair rinse.
Check out my favorite stinging nettle recipe:
Why not book a course to learn more? See our Upcoming Events: https://www.londonbushcraft.com/bushcraftcourses
Alternatively, why not book a group course to learn more about what nature has to offer. For more information see www.londonbushcraft.com  Â
Interested in more blog posts about all things bushcraft, nature and ways we can look after the natural world we live in? https://www.londonbushcraft.com/blogÂ