Urtica Dioica - Stinging Nettle
Nettle is divided into 6 subspecies, with many of the species carrying tiny trichomes that “sting” the skin with histamine, causing inflammation and itchiness! Cultivate this herb with caution and gloves
Nettle is a flowering perennial, coming back each year to bless your land with its medicinal purposes.
It has a similar flavor to spinach once cooked. You can use it in culinary dishes or in tea and tinctures. It is great for calming the nervous system and reducing inflammation when drunken as a tea
From Wikipedia: “In the UK, an annual World Nettle Eating Championship draws thousands of people to Dorset, where competitors attempt to eat as much of the raw plant as possible. Competitors are given 60 cm (24 in) stalks of the plant, from which they strip the leaves and eat them. Whoever strips and eats the most stinging nettle leaves in a fixed time is the winner. The competition dates back to 1986, when two neighbouring farmers attempted to settle a dispute about which had the worst infestation of nettles, and one of them said, "I'll eat any nettle of yours that's longer than mine." “
To enjoy in a tea: grind up your stinging nettle and store in a jar. Steep one tablespoon of ground nettle into a cup of hot water for an inflammation-fighting tea and a boost to your immune system come allergy season!