On googling stinging nettles, I found it a bit of a shame to see that there were as many sites on how to get rid of stinging nettles as there was on their many uses.  But one thing  came up on google that was amusing news to me was the world nettle eating championships, here is the link to BBC story  http://www.bbc.co.uk/dorset/content/articles/2005/06/17/nettle_eating_feature.shtml

Medicinal uses:

For centuries nettles have been used in medicinal use in the forms of a tincture, ointment, compress, tea or powdered form.

They are packed with vitamin C and also contain vitamins A, B1, B2, vitamin E and Vitamin K as well as containing Iron and calcium and magnesium.

Gout:

Gout is caused due to a build up of uric acid in the blood which leads to join inflammation. Taking nettles can help to flush out excess uric acid from the blood.

Bronchitis and pleurisy:

As nettles have anti-viral  and expectorant properties and are said to be good to clear the chest of mucus.

Asthma:

The antihistamine properties make nettles good for those suffering with asthma.

Colds and flu:

Nettles can help to fight off signs of colds and flu, due to the anti viral properties and the levels of vitamin C.

Depression:

Vitamin B levels in nettles can help to elevate mood.

Hayfever.

The anthisthamine in the nettles will help to give a resistance to hay fever symptoms.

Uses in the garden:

Nettle leaves are used by ladybirds to rear their larve on so giving your garden help against aphids from your fruit and vegetable crops. Other uses are as a fungicide and insecticide.

There is a great book, 101 uses for stinging nettles by Piers Warren. For more detail of the many wonderful uses of this fantastic plant

click on this link to view the cover , or to buy the book http://www.wildeye.co.uk/stinging-nettles/

I was given this book for Christmas a couple of years ago, and it still surprises me when I look at the book to see just  how many ways nettles can be good for our gardens and our bodies.

Spring treat:

One of my favorite spring activities is the first time in a year when I go into some woodland to find the early, small, young nettles. I now keep a pair of thick rubber gloves and a carrier bag in the glove compartment of my car ready for nettle picking. With most things that I pick I do not bother donning gloves,  as I do not mind a little staining from berries etc, but nettles are a different matter completely when it comes to the consequences of picking to make a big batch of my nettle soup.

My nettle soup recipe:

Gently fry a couple of large onions and a couple of handfulls of green lentils in a little butter and oil. This is best done in the biggest pan you can find in the kitchen.

Add a couple of large potatoes ( diced ) and fry for a couple of minutes.

Vegatable stock then needs to be added and when the potatos have softened add your nettles.

This is why I suggested using the biggest pan as they will overflow if the pan is not gigantic, but they very quickly wilt so push the pile of nettle into the liquid quickly.

The amount you will need is about 1 carrier bag full. These need of course to be washed well, and can be done by tipping out the bag into cold water and with gloved hands, moving the water around to rinse. Repeat this and drain the water and any little bugs that are left will be killed in the cooking process, adding a bit of extra protein!

The nettles cook quickly so there is no need to simmer for very long.

Season with a good amount of grated nutmeg, salt and pepper and blitz using a hand blender.

The finnished soup will be thick in consistency and be a lush green in colour & is  good served with a little swirl of double cream. Nettle soup is an especially  comforting luch when served with a good wholemeal bread, cheese sandwich to dunk into the funky green, vitamin packed soup.