Ouchy! Many a day while working in the allotment, I’ve brushed off a hidden stinging nettle and ended up doing a pain-dance, while looking for Dock leaves.

So, yeh, it would make perfect sense that I would decide to learn to pick nettles with my bare fingers.

While studying for my Herbalism course, I’ve had a complete change of heart when it comes to these invasive “weeds“ that are the bain of most gardeners. Learning about their incredible benefits and, more recently, actually feeling these medicinal benefits has really made me want to encourage them to grow in my plot,

This nutritive herb has goodness packed into every leaf, stem, sting and root.

A powerful diuretic and anti-inflammatory, I can genuinely say that since making Nettle Tea a part of my life 8 weeks ago, I’ve found that my 40 year old body is less stiff when I go from a resting to standing position (you know that “Oooof” sound you find yourself making when you have to get up suddenly after being comfy on the couch - it gets rid of that).

It’s also a great hay-fever fighter. If you are like me, you’ll have noticed how the pollen came in fast this year, and lets face it, it’s only just begun. By drinking 2-3 cups of Nettle Tea each day, you will notice a huge difference in congestion, itchy eyes and that heavy “face falling off“ vibe that comes with a pollen bomb.

So, your challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to try pick a stinging nettle…without getting stung.

Here’s How:

The tiny hairs on the nettle are the bit that sting you. On the stem, they grow in a downward motion. So, you can imagine, if you pick them the same way you pick a flower - in an upwards swoosh, you are disrupting these little pricklers and in turn, will get stung.

So, when picking nettles, aim to pick the top 6 inches, and go with your index finger and thumb approaching from above. This way, you are going to touch the tiny stingy hairs, but keeping them downwards.

Once your fingers are on the nettles, chances are, you will imagine you are getting stung - your brain does this - tell it to give over.

Now, break the stem, as opposed to pulling upwards (remember its the upward motion that moves the tiny hairs upwards - causing the sting).

Next step - be seriously proud of yourself at how well you did! And try it again.

Or…..do a painy-dance and go look for a dock leaf!

Let me know how you get on with your Nettle Challenge.

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