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It all began when they started invading my yard..
So there I was, looking into the front yard that defeated me after trying to weed it the year before. Now, the previous year I hadn’t developed much of an eye for the biodiversity that appeared around my own yard. This year , however, has been much different. Since curiosity for foraging struck me, I have started gazing every day at the foliage that grew, flowered, fruited, and fell back as the seasons went on. That being said, I am quite sure these “Dead Nettles” were in the front yard this time last year, too. But this year, they caught my eye and I had to figure out what they were. Into the rabbit hole we go!
At first glance, I had a strong feeling it had to be some relative to mint plants. I figured this due to the square stem shape, the pairs of simple leaves on opposing sides, and the two-lipped flowers formed in a bunched up way. With this general notion of what to look for within the Lamiaceae (also known as Labiatae) family, I came to find that I had, in fact, found Lamium Purpureum, A.K.A. Purple (or red) Dead Nettle. At first, many thought these plants looked very much like stinging nettles. However, because these plants do not sting as the stinging nettles do, they thusly became referred to as the “dead nettle”.
Of course, the first thing I wondered was, “Cool!…… Can I eat it?!”
YES! You can! Let me share with you why you should.
Why would you want to eat these things?
Dead nettles have been used in traditional medicine for centuries, and some research has uncovered medicinal benefits truly backed by studies. However, more studies are still needed to fully validate many of these uses. Here are some of the purported medicinal benefits of dead nettle:
Anti-inflammatory properties: Studies suggest that extracts from dead nettles contain compounds with anti-inflammatory effects that may help reduce inflammation in conditions like arthritis.
Antioxidant activity: Dead nettles are a rich source of antioxidant compounds like polyphenols and flavonoids
Antibacterial and antifungal effects: Extracts from dead nettle species have shown antibacterial and antifungal activity against certain strains in laboratory studies, suggesting potential use in treating a variety of infections.
Astringent properties: The tannins in dead nettles give them astringent qualities that may help reduce bleeding, diarrhea, and mucous membrane irritation when ingested
Respiratory benefits: Traditionally used for bronchitis and other respiratory issues, some research indicates dead nettles may have expectorant and antitussive (cough-suppressing) effects. (Side Note: I can’t wait to combine these with Arrowleaf Balsamroot and Lugwort/Lungwort lichen to make the best cough medicine ever!)
Potential anti-cancer activity: Preliminary studies point to possible anticancer properties of compounds in dead nettles that may induce apoptosis (cell death) in cancer cells.
Skin applications: The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of dead nettle extract may be beneficial for certain skin conditions like eczema when applied topically.
Blood Coagulant: The leaves may be applied as a poultice to a wound in order to stop bleeding more quickly (much like the well known Yarrow plant)
Here is just a couple of the related scientific articles displaying these properties:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6571824/: Purple Dead Nettle Uses: The Opposite of Deadly!https://zenodo.org/records/3404149#.ZCQ6CS-B0dU: Purple Dead Nettle Uses: The Opposite of Deadly!
Ok, that all sounds nice and healthy. Now what?
Dead nettles are known to have a multitude of culinary uses. Young leaves and shoots of some dead nettle species like our purple dead nettle, and also those such as white dead-nettle (Lamium album) have been used by many as one would use spinach or stinging nettles. Their mild, earthy flavor makes dead nettle leaves and shoots a tasty addition to dishes like soups, stews, scrambles, pastas and more. Some people also brew the fresh or dried leaves into a nourishing herbal tea. (check out more info about cooking stinging nettles here)
Loaded with nutrients, dead nettles are even more appealing as an edible green due to their impressive nutrient profile. They are a rich source of antioxidants, vitamin A, vitamin C, polyphenols, and flavonoids. Dead nettles also provide a good amount of fiber, protein, calcium, iron, magnesium and B vitamins like folate.
I must warn against consuming dead nettles in large quantities as it may have a laxative effect. Pregnant women should also avoid introducing these into their diet. As always, whenever introducing anything new into your diet, be sure to start with small amounts no matter what it is.
Now, there is more to these plants than being a healthy food. Historically, dead nettles have been used to create natural dye colors for a variety of textiles. From the information I have gathered, dead nettle dyes produce fairly light/soft shades of dye. Purple dead nettle leans more toward greens and browns, while white dead nettle gives more yellow tones. The colors are often described as “dusty” or “mossy” greens and yellows.
They have other uses, too!
Although I confess that I have not yet attempted these methods myself, here are some details on making dye from dead nettle plants that I have combined from other sources:
The leaves and stems of dead nettles contain pigments that can be extracted to create dyes. Red dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum) and white dead-nettle (Lamium album) are most commonly used for this purpose.
Dyeing Process:
Harvesting: Collect fresh dead nettle plants, leaves, and stems. Older plants tend to produce richer colors.
Mordanting (Optional): Prepare the fiber or fabric by soaking it in a mordant solution like alum, iron, or tannin to help the dye bind better. Common mordants are cream of tartar, vinegar, or rhubarb leaves.
Extraction: Chop or crush the dead nettle plants and simmer them in water for 30-60 minutes to extract the pigments. The liquid will become colored.
Dyeing: Add the pre-mordanted fiber or fabric to the dye bath and simmer for 30-60 minutes, stirring occasionally until the desired shade is achieved.
Modifying Color: Add modifiers like baking soda or iron solution to shift the dye color if needed.
Rinse and Dry: Remove the material from the dye bath, rinse with water, and allow it to dry completely.
Here are descriptions of different color results following various methods and varieties of dead nettle species:
Red Dead-Nettle (Lamium purpureum)
Without a mordant: Yellowish-green
With an alum mordant: Bright green
With an iron mordant: Olive green to brown
White Dead-Nettle (Lamium album)
Without a mordant: Pale greenish-yellow
With an alum mordant: Brighter yellow
With a copper mordant: Soft green
Henbit Dead-Nettle (Lamium amplexicaule)
Yields similar shades of yellow and green as the other species
The exact hue is said to vary based on the ratio of plant material to water, extraction time, water pH, and whether any color modifiers like baking soda or iron are added to the dye bath.
While I was unable to find much solid history regarding purple dead nettle and its role in ritualistic practices, I did happen to find a general consensus regarding how they would be/are potentially used. Being a very resilient plant, they can be used with intent to bring fortitude and willpower to the recipient of a ritual. In addition, the fact that dead nettles appear so early in the spring suggests cheerfulness and general vitality.
What a fun little plant!
I don’t know about you, but I certainly didn’t even know these existed a few years ago, not to mention knowing of all the incredible potential these little fellas can bring into our life! So, what do you think? Are you going to toss dead nettles into the waste bin again this year, or will you save them from that fate and bring them into your life in one of the many ways touched upon here? I’d love to know!
Accessible Options if you can’t gather them yourself
I understand that not everyone has the time, resources, etc. to go and forage for these plants themselves. If you find yourself in this situation, but would still like to add these incredible plants into your daily life to reap the benefits, here are some links to options I would recommend:
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