Stinging Nettles / Stingwood – bunch

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is a versatile perennial herb notorious for the painful, burning sensation it causes upon contact with bare skin.

Despite its prickly reputation, it is highly valued for its nutritional profile—exceeding spinach and kale in some vitamins and proteins—and its wide range of medicinal and culinary uses.

• Nutritional Powerhouse: It is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals like iron, calcium, and potassium.
• Medicinal Properties:
  • Prostate Health: Nettle root is frequently used to treat symptoms of an enlarged prostate (BPH).
  • Allergy Relief: Its anti-inflammatory properties may help reduce hay fever symptoms.
  • Joint Support: Historically used to treat arthritis and gout due to its ability to reduce inflammation.
• Culinary Applications: Cooked nettles have an earthy, spinach-like flavour. Common preparations include Stinging Nettle Tea, soups, and Nettle Pesto.
• Garden Use: It can be used as a compost activator or fermented into a nutrient-rich liquid fertiliser for other plants.