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Backyard Forage

Stinging Nettle

beholdher.life Pinterest fresh pin Backyard Forage Wild Edibles Nettle Tea

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Common Nettle (Urtica dioica), sometimes referred to as stinging nettle or simply nettle leaf is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the family Urticaceae. One of the most applicable plants used. They strengthen and support the entire body. Nettles can be sauteed, or made into pesto, soup, or added to your daily smoothie but, I love a nice cup of Nettle tea finished off with a dollop of honey. Nettle can provide an assortment of health benefits including; detoxification, improved blood circulation, skin health, heart health, anti-inflammatory, improved respiratory conditions, eases the symptoms of menopause and treat PMS.

Clearly, a cup of tea goes a long way to better overall health and well being.

WARNING: It is always recommended to introduce new foods to your diet slowly so that you may monitor how your body responds. While Nettles are an edible wild it is cautioned for pregnant and breastfeeding women to avoid the use of. When in doubt, always speak with a medical and/or nutritional expert before consuming.

beholdher.life Pinterest fresh pin Backyard Forage Wild Edibles Nettle Tea
I have a significant patch of nettle on the back slope side of a rock garden.
In early Spring I clear the patch allowing the huge crop of Nettles to appear.
beholdher.life Pinterest fresh pin Backyard Forage Wild Edibles Nettle Tea
I harvest the Nettle when they are young and I highly recommend boots, gloves and pruners. Handling these without protection will lead to irritated, itchy skin. However there are those who claim that the sting of a Nettle assists with their arthritic pain.
I try to harvest the Nettle first thing in the morning before the day’s temperature has risen and before the morning dew has evaporated.
beholdher.life Pinterest fresh pin Backyard Forage Wild Edibles Nettle Tea
Once I have harvested the Nettle I thoroughly rinse with cool water and spin the lot in a salad spinner. Then I head to the dehydrator. Rack by rack I place a single layer of nettles to cover the tray. I repeat this until my full harvest is layered upon these racks and then place the lid on to let the dehydrator do it’s magic! The dehydrator is set at 95 degrees Fahrenheit and I leave it running for 16-20 hours, give or take. You want to ensure that all moisture has been removed from the leaves. Moisture could lead to mold in the jar, which would destroy the entire batch.
beholdher.life Pinterest fresh pin Backyard Forage Wild Edibles Nettle Tea
These dried Nettles will be transferred to an airtight jar and stored for later use. Steeping the leaves in boiling water, or adding them directly to your smoothie are just two ways you can consume Nettle and be rewarded by their many health benefits. Nettle are an excellent source of Vitamins A, C, D and have some B complex properties. Surprisingly (at least to me) Nettles also provide protein, calcium, iron, beta-carotene and magnesium. These once prickly leaves certainly pack a healthy punch for our entire system. So, consume, enjoy and be healthy!
beholdher.life Pinterest fresh pin Backyard Forage Wild Edibles Nettle Tea
beholdher.life Pinterest fresh pin Backyard Forage Wild Edibles Nettle Tea

Wild Violets

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I have two kinds of violets growing wild just steps from my front door.
The Blue Violet (VIOLA SORORIA) and the Yellow Violet (VIOLA PUBESCENS).
The Blue Violets are commonly referred to as the wood violet, meadow violet, hooded violet and the wolly blue violet.
Violets are a short-stemmed herbaceous perennial with a glossy, heart-shaped leaf. The flowers with white throats sit atop the stem.
Violets are some of the first flowers each Spring and have a sweet, light fragrance.
They area great addition to a wild edible garden as well as being excellent for ground cover.