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The Nettle Files

Nettlology taps into the ethos of permaculture, working from where we are with what we have.

Nettle has a symbiotic relationship with humans, and its applications for use are far-reaching.

We believe in open-source information; all our recipes, research, and methodology are available here.

Nettles are an abundant natural resource, they grow all around us without the need of intervention from man. It is something we can harvest and make use of in one form or another most times of the year. It is a plant we can forage as opposed to having to prepare the ground, sow the Seed and wait. It is extremely disease resistant and largely unaffected by changeable weather. It is high in nutrients and a plant steeped in history, one that our ancestors made much use of and many of these uses are still relevant today.

THE PRODUCTS

We collect our nettle from carefully selected nettle patches around our local area chosen for their natural unpolluted state. From things such as car fumes and dog/cat faeces. We collect from local back gardens and pick from places such as local allotments.

We work seasonally if possible and there for work with the leaf in the spring/early summer, the seed in late summer/early autumn and the stems/roots in the late autum/winter.

NETTLE TINCTURE

Natures own multi – vitamin! Nettle packs a big punch of various vitamins, minerals and compounds all of which are in forms very easily absorbed by the body.

INGREDIENTS

Nettle, 1ltr vodka 1:1 ratio

makes aprox 1ltr 100 bottles of 10ml or 6g (aprox 30g when bottled)

shelf life 5 years, store in a cool dry place

METHOD

  • add the vodka to a sterilized jar
  • pack in nettle until just below the liquid line
  • leave for 6 weeks
  • strain and decant into bottles

DOSING GUIDE

Adults – Aprox 20 drops twice a day direct on the tongue or in water

Kids 2-12years – 1 drop per year of age twice daily in water

Not recommended for kids under 2

For a comprehensive guide to dosing, indications and contradictions follow the link

Administration Guide:Dosage,Safety and Suggestions of Nettle.

NETTLE BALM

INGREDIENTS

100g Avocado oil double infused with Nettle, 65g shea butter, 50g beeswax, 4g dandelion extract, 3g hemp seed oil, 3g grape seed oil, 2g lavender essential oil

METHOD

  • Heat the avocado oil in a ban- marie
  • Add the bee’s wax
  • When the bee’s wax is nearly melted add the shea butter
  • Use a spatula to mix and to stop the mixture sticking to the sides
  • In a jug measure out all the other ingredients (you will need 00.00 scales and a dropper)
  • Add to the avocado oil
  • Mix thoroughly
  • pour into sterilized jars but work quickly as it will start to harden

Makes 227g aprox 15 pots of 15g

Should have a shelf life of around a year, store in a cool dry place

NETTLE LOTION

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This is an enriched, emulsified lotion suitable for face and body…It started with the nettle  both the oil and water both infused at a ratio of 8oz liquid to 4oz plant material. We have been carefully refining this lotion through a series of  test batches choosing complementary ingredients which all have their own individual benefits too.

INGREDIENTS

130g Avocado oil double infused with Nettle, 110g coconut oil, 150g Nettle infusion made with distilled water, 30g aloe vera, 25g bees wax, 7g dandelion extract, 6g grapefruit seed oil, 6g hemp seed oil, 3g neroli oil, 3g chamomile essential oil

METHOD

  • Heat the avocado oil in a ban marie
  • in a separate bowl mix the nettle infused water with the aloe, dandelion, grapefruit, hemp, neroli and chamomile
  • add the bee’s wax to the avocado and stir until melted
  • tip into a bowl which is suspended over a larger bowl of ice
  • keep stirring until cool
  • Add the water/aloe mixture slowly using a stick blender to emulsify
  • continue to blend until completely emulsified

Makes 470g makes aprox 15 pots of 30g each

The original base balm and lotion recipes that these products were developed from were taught to us when we did a herbal apprenticeship with Sarah Head, Sarah writes the blog Tales of a kitchen herbwife which is packed full of recipes, wisdom and information.

Multi surface cleaner

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30-40g of soap will make 2-3 litres of effective domestic cleaner for all surfaces and stains on materials. Using 2 tablespoons of loose-leaf green tea, bring to the boil in a pan with 2-3 litres of water and simmer for a few minutes. Strain the plant material out, this could then be composted. When hand hot grate the soap bar into the liquid and stir until dissolved. Add an essential oil of your choice and bottle in an upcycled spray bottle. Store away from light and heat for maximum conservation. Adding more liquid to the solution will make it useful for glass windows and even as an air or material re-fresher.

NETTLE SOAP

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You Will Need: 3 Litres of Water, 400g Caustic soda, 3 Litres of Olive Oil, 20 Drops Lavender oil Equipment: Large Pans for Heating the oil and water, 2 Plastic buckets, 1 plastic stirrer, plastic moulds to cure soap in

IMPORTANT – Do not use aluminium utensils

CARE MUST BE TAKEN WHEN USING CAUSTIC SODA

To prepare your Nettle infused Oil before making the soap you will need to do the infusing!

  • Boil the water and then leave to cool till hand hot

Your soap will then be ready to use

Put the oil on to heat

Add the caustic soda to the water (must be the soda to the water not the other way round) in a slow steady trickle – it is important that the water is not too hot when adding the soda

Constantly stir while adding the soda, maintain a temperature of now higher than 18 degrees C while doing this and do it in a well ventilated area or ideally outside

Now add the soda water to the oil (must be the soda water to the oil not the other way round, add again in a slow stream and stir constantly, always stir the same direction

Add 20 drops of lavender oil and stir constantly for 1 hour.

You can then have 10 minutes for a brake, Then stir for another hour until the mixture thickens and leaves a trail.

Pour mixture into moulds and store in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight

Remove from the moulds after 24-48 hours and cut if you have set it in large blocks

Again then leave to complete the curing process which will take 9- 10 weeks.

NYREES’ NETTLE SOUP

Half a carrier bag of Nettle tops

2 Shallots

A handful of kale

200g Runner Bean Seeds

2 Garlic Cloves

Small piece of Ginger

Pinch of Paprika

1L of Chicken stock ( you could use vegetable)

  •  Soak your Beans over night and boil for 20 minutes or until they are soft and cooked through
  • Chop your Shallots and the stems of the Kale and saute off in a little butter
  • Add the Garlic and ginger o the pan and cook for a couple of minutes
  • Add your Chicken Stock to he pan along with the Nettle
  • Bring to the boil and simmer until the Nettle is soft and cooked through
  • Add a few of your beans here to use for thickening the soup
  • Take off he heat, leave to cool for a few minutes and then whizz up using a hand blender
  • Return to the heat and add he rest of the beans and the Kale bring back o he boil and simmer for around 10 minutes
  • Add a pinch of Paprika and adjust the seasoning if necessary

 Toppings of your choice – you can incorporate using Spring greens here, i used Blanched Dandelion,Chives, Wild Garlic and Landcress – including a few flowers from a particularly hardy plant! I also added some Greek yogurt and some small pieces of crispy smoked streaky bacon.

*DISCLAIMER*

We do not provide medical advice or products, the information provided here is based on our research and feedback from our product testers. Please consult your doctor before using any products on a medical basis.