nettles

The stinging nettle is a great ally to have in your garden or hedgerow. It can be used for tea, soup, fibres and butterflies. I know it can be a tad invasive - but look at it another way - all the more for your kitchen!
One of my all-time favourite books - Herbal Rituals by Judith Berger - tells of the many benefits to drinking a fresh infusion of nettle tea. Apparently it is particularly supportive of the bladder and urinary tract (you can see this in the appearance of the tea itself!); for the respiritarory tract where it can reduce allergies & hay fever, plus being great for those suffering with asthma; and being rich in iron & minerals it's a blood-building herb, eliminating fatigue. In the past it was drunk by many folk as a spring tonic following long, hard winters.
The stings are a remedy for arthritis and the plant fibres can be used for making twine and weaving; bit of a wonder plant really!
This morning I started the day with a cup of nettle tea, it was quite pleasant to drink - very fragrant - and plan to do this daily until the fresh new growth is depleted. We often make soup with nettles & tatties which is delicious.
So, next time you set out to dig out/spray those nettles, cursing them as a nuisance, think tea!!