Stinging Nettle Leaf – (Urtica dioica) or Common Nettle, is a prolific perennial native to Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. As its name might suggest, Stinging Nettle is not an apologetic sort of plant. Its stems and serrated leaves are covered in tiny hairs that sting when they come in contact with the skin. It can grow up to two meters tall, and where it grows, mostly near water or in rich moist forest soil, it grows abundantly.
All of these qualities combined make Stinging Nettle impossible for humans to ignore, and very early on in our history, people learned that far from being a weed or pest, this prolific plant possessed power beyond measure! It became associated with Mars, the god of war, believed to bring strength and vitality to soldiers, heal wounds and nourish the sick. Since long before the reign of ancient Rome, Stinging Nettle has played a prominent role as a nutritious food and beverage, an essential element of sacred ritual and even medicine. Stinging nettle leaf is incredibly rich in vitamins and minerals, particularly iron and silica. An infusion of Nettle leaf makes a deep green, richly flavored tea or a clarifying rinse for shiny, healthy hair.
For many centuries, people from all over the globe have found fresh herbs to be a gentle yet effective health-enhancing blessing. These are our own hand packed loose herbs, packaged in old world apothecary style, air tight brown paper canisters to keep light and moisture out, and freshness in. Use in teas, tinctures, and elixirs.