Herb Highlight // Stinging Nettle

Botanical name: Urtica dioica

Native to: Europe, Asia, North Africa and North America

A wonderful wild herb that is abundant during the early spring. Sometimes a bit tricky to pick if you haven’t come prepared with long rubber gloves, but well worth the stings. Bursting with vitamins A & C, iron, potassium, manganese and calcium nettle makes for an excellent brew. Try it as a detoxing herbal infusion or add it into soups and stews (which takes away the sting) for an iron rich boost. It's also a good infusion to try for your skin and can be used to remedy  the symptoms of acne and eczema. Nettle grows wild so you can forage for it in woodlands, hedgerows and other people's gardens! Always pick the fresh leaves at the tip of healthy looking plants. Always remember to check the foraging guidelines for picking plants in public and private space. 

Nettle Hair Rinse  

You can use nettle to make a clarifying hair rinse to remove product build up in your hair, nourish your scalp and condition your hair. It's also suitable for itchy and irritated scalps and those with sensitive skin.

1. Pick a big handful of fresh nettle leaves - the fresh  tips are the best

2. It's always good to rinse herbs that your pick from publicly accessible spaces

3. Gently warm roughly 2 cups of water in a saucepan and throw in your nettles

4. Bring the heat up and simmer for 30 minutes

5. Allow to cool and then strain out the nettles

6. Use straight away by pouring over and brushing through wet hair

6. Rinse out