stinging nettles

[dragonfist70]

hey how do i prepare these nettles raw and safely . like in salads smoothies teas? thx :d

[dragonfist70]

anyone? there has to be a way

[Revvell]

Goooooogle search ~ http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/StingingNettlech.html

Not used them myself. Curious as to why you wish to.

:cool:

[Revvell]

.... and more ... http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/Plants.Folder/Nettle.html

I do believe they have to be cooked.

:cool:

[dragonfist70]

thankyou :D i am going to find a way. people have been talking about having them in salads so it's my mission.

[angelandarose]

Your saliva breaks up the stinging part. Early in spring I ate a leaf to try it. I folded it from the underside since the stingers are on the top and then I just started chewing. It's been a while since I did that I can't remember the taste but I hear nettles are full of good suff.

If you google you will find lots of info about eating stinging nettles.

Love,
Angie

[Revvell]

Keep us posted, 'k? There's plenty of nettle 'round here!


:cool:

[Arky]

They're high in minerals (silicon, for example). Note, however, that, much like spinach, they are also high in oxalic acid, which inhibits absorption of calcium. Apparently they can be blended and the sting (actually formic acid - the same thing ants use when they bite) is nullified in so doing.

I've been meaning to try blending nettles, for a while. Actually, come to think of it, TruthSeeker mentioned this in a post, yesterday:

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=46251#post46251

In his book Food For Free, Richard Mabey advises that nettles be picked when young (between late February & early June, in the UK, for example), gathering only the youngest leaves from the top of the plant. Older leaves can be gritty (crystalline), bitter, and laxative. Richard's recipes all involve some cooking, although he does not expressly counsel against eating nettles raw. Brigitte Mars (more of whom below) suggests finely chopping young nettle leaves and marinating them in a mizture of olive oil, salt and lemon juice.

If you're interested in exploring wild foods further, then you should seriously consider trying lamb's quarters (http://www.rawfoodinfo.com/articles/art_LambsQuarTreasury.html) and dandelions (http://www.edibleweeds.com/generic.html?pid=6) (admittedly, dandelions are very bitter). Here's a nutritional comparison chart (http://members.tripod.com/TOADHILL/lambsquarter.htm) (thanks to Rhio for these links)

In her book Rawsome!, Brigitte Mars (a herbalist and nutritional consultant of more than 30yrs standing) asserts that wild greens are also excellent juiced - including:

Alfalfa leaves
Dandelion leaves
Nettles
Chickweed
Lamb's Quarters
Violet leaves

On the specific topic of nettles, Brigitte says that the hairs on nettles "...also contain acetyltransferase, acetylcholine, choline, and serotonin, all of which can improve brain function"

Now, I'm not sure about the accuracy of this information - I'd be surprised if a plant contained acetylcholine or serotonin, for example, since these are complex substances which I'd only expect plants to contain the precursors or building blocks for. Nevertheless, nettles are evidently very good for you. She goes on to say that nettles are highly alkaline, very high in iron, high in beta carotene and vitamin C and are also considered by some to be anti-alergenic. Brigitte claims that pur'eeing nettles deactivates the stings, as I have read elsewhere. Lastly, she confirms Mabey's advice not to consume older nettle leaves which, she claims, are irritating to the kidneys.
I'm not

J.

[RawTruth]

Victoria Boutenko advises using stinging nettle (also lamb's quarter & other wild greens -- read: weeds) in your green smoothies. I've never heard of simly eating them, but ... I've certainly never heard of lots of things!!

[dragonfist70]

i tried and loved it in my smoothie didn't sting at all :D

[Arky]

How did you find the taste? Was it bitter or just the usual generic earthy/alkaline 'green' taste?

As I said, I've been meaning to try nettles myself for quite some time, but just haven't got around to it as yet.


J.

[dragonfist70]

yup like spinach very nice with fruits mixed with it. i have to get some dandelion to

[Arky]

Thanks.

The dandelion will be bitter, so only add a little to begin with or you'll get a shock! :D


J.

[dragonfist70]

oo thx for the warning :D