Stinging Nettle- The Neglected Superfood

Stinging Nettle- The Neglected Superfood
Host: Cat Ellis “The Herbal Prepper Live”

If there were one plant that survivalists, preppers, homesteaders, and bushcrafters were to want to have easy access to, it would have to be Stinging Nettle, (Urtica dioica). In this episode of Herbal Prepper Live, you will learn all about this incredible plant, how to prepare it both as an herbal remedy and as a meal, and which parts of the plants are harvested for what use, and even how to make your own herbal multivitamin.

Stinging nettle is a completely overlooked superfood that can mean the difference between life and death during a food shortage or famine. It is loaded with protein, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and a wide spectrum of beneficial chemicals.

While many of us stock up on multivitamins, much of the nutrients in those tablets are not entirely bioavailable. With most of the commercially available multivitamin supplements, you will be getting less nutrients absorbed into your body than what is indicated as the total amounts of nutrients on the label.

Stinging nettle is a storehouse of renewable, bioavailable nutrients, such as Vitamins A, C, D, E, K, bioflavinoids, B Vitamins like thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and B-6. Nettle is rich in minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, selenium, boron, iodine, copper, and chromium. The plant is approximately 40% protein when dried and is a complete protein with a very similar amino acid profile to eggs. Nettles are high in clorophyll, and very useful if you have been exposed to radiation, as well as addressing pancreatitis, and wound healing. If you had nothing else, nettles could keep you alive and healthy for a long time.

This doesn’t even begin to touch upon all the uses in herbal medicine for nettle. Nettle is a natural antihistamine, supports proper liver and kidney function, helps to maintain healthy blood sugar levels, reduces pain and inflammation. Both the slight caffeine content and the chlorophyll help to fight fatigue. Both prostate issues and respiratory issues, such as asthma and bronchitis, respond well to nettle. Every single part of the plant has either a nutritional or material use, including making cordage.

Of course, nettle does have an ability to “sting”. The hairs on the outside contain formic acid, the same chemical as in bee stings. It is totally neutralized when prepared in cooking or in herbal medicine making. But, while it’s growing, it will make crossing a border of nettle rather unpleasant for would be intruders. Mix in with taller, thorny plants, and you have a natural, hidden security fence! Security, nutrition, cordage, and herbal medicine- what more could a prepper ask for? Be sure to tune in to learn more about how nettle can benefit you!
Find “Ready Made” products from Stinging Nettle HERE!
Books on Stinging Nettle HERE!
The Herbal Prepper Website: http://www.herbalprepper.com/

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