StillPoint Reiki
and Shamanic Healing
and Shamanic Healing
Nature's Nourishement
Ah, Spring! It feels so good to go outside and work in the yard and gardens, but before you start
pulling and cutting those pesky weeds to make room for lushes lawns and fragrant flowers, take note
of what those weeds can offer you.
The word, weed, is defined as “a plant not valued for its use or beauty” (online etymology
dictionary). If that is true, we have lost an important connection with nature’s usefulness. Many of
the plants that get pulled out of the ground and tossed aside contain more nutrients than many
lettuces and greens purchased for salads, garnishments, and steaming.
The amount of information on wild plants and herbs is overwhelming; I have seen it leave people,
including myself, confused and then disinterested. So, let’s take a look at just one very local, very
familiar, and very abundant plant. We all know what Stinging Nettles look (and feel) like, but as
you are trying to dislodge it from your garden without getting stung, have you ever ask yourself what
the purpose of this ever-present plant is? It turns out there are several good reasons for its growth
and abundance, we have just forgot what they are.
Did you know, for example, that nettles have an extremely high concentration of nutrients? It is one
of the best overall tonics and has been referred to as “among the most versatile and potentially
valuable of all plants” (Angier, 1998, p.152). Nettles have amazing amounts of vitamins and
minerals including vitamins A, B complex, C, D, and K; they contains such minerals as: iron,
phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, cobalt and chromium; stick that in your steamer and eat it!
Yes, fresh green nettles are a delicious alternative or addition to normal table greens. The easiest
way to collect nettles is to use scissors and a paper bag; merely cut the young tender leaves into the
bag without having to touch any part of the plant. Once nettles are cooked, their volatile oils are
disarmed.
Another way to enjoy nettle nourishment is by drinking a daily cup of infusion; infusion, much like
tea, is made by pouring boiling water over dried or fresh herbs and letting the mixture steep for
several hours (4 – overnight). To make a medicinal strength infusion place 2-3 handfuls of herb into
a quart jar, fill the jar to the top with boiling water and steep with the lid on so the water-soluble
vitamins don’t escape through the steam. Drink 1 or 2 cups of infusion everyday for a month and
then reduce to a few times a week, for as long as you wish; remember, you are drinking
nourishment not medicine. You can dry your own or purchase dried organic or wild crafted nettles
for use year around. The best time to harvest nettles is during the first couple of months that they
poke their heads out the ground. After the leaves become large and old, or after the plant has
flowered, the taste becomes bitterer.
Besides acting as an overall tonic to the body, nettles have some specific qualities that can help with
balancing blood sugar and equalizing energy levels, strengthening the immune system, kidneys and
adrenals; nettles can also aid in normalizing the digestive system. They have been revered by women
young and old for helping with menstrual complications including, but not limited to, cramps, hot
flashes, heavy flow, pregnancy and menopause hormonal flux. External uses for nettles are also
varied and effective; dried powdered nettles can be sprinkled on a cut or wound to stop the
bleeding. Nettles can be made into tinctures, washes, lotions, and ointments to aid in bites, stings,
rashes, boils, abscesses and other skin irritations. Using a nettle wash on your hair is known to ease
scalp conditions and strengthen hair.
Too much information? You can see how easy it is to get over informed and feel like you could
never understand, much less incorporate, all of the scientific, holistic, and mythological claims,
stories, and facts about even just one herb (or weed, whichever you are inclined to). If you truly
would like to experience an herb, in this case nettles, start with just one or two suggested
applications; harvest a couple of plants, steam them, and serve with a little oil and vinegar. Purchase
or dry your own and make an infusion everyday for one week; see what you feel.
Nature provides us an abundance of plant life; many are nourishing and nurturing. Western society
has chosen science over natural healing; and even though many medicines are made to imitate the
biochemical constituents of plants, the plants themselves have been tossed into the compost pile (Oh
yeah, did I tell you about the nettle tea you can add to heat up your compost?). It doesn't take
much to begin a journey back to natural nourishment; it is easy and doesn't mean to replace what
you currently eat. Make it easy, make it doable, and make it fit your desires and curiosity.
(Disclaimer: It is always important to use common sense when working with and ingesting plants. If
you have no prior experience, consult someone who does. If you feel it necessary to speak with
your physician before adding new plants to your diet, I wholeheartedly encourage you to do so.)
References
Online Etymology Dictionary. Search word- weeds; Retrieved January 8, 2009, from http://www.etymonline.com/
Angier, B. (1998). Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants (16th ed.). Mechanicsberg, PA.: Stackpole Books.
Suggested Reading
Tierra, Michael. The Way of Herbs (1998): New York; Simon and Schuster Inc.
Weed, Susan. Wise Woman Herbal, Healing Wise (1989): Woodstock, NY; Ash Tree Publishing
pulling and cutting those pesky weeds to make room for lushes lawns and fragrant flowers, take note
of what those weeds can offer you.
The word, weed, is defined as “a plant not valued for its use or beauty” (online etymology
dictionary). If that is true, we have lost an important connection with nature’s usefulness. Many of
the plants that get pulled out of the ground and tossed aside contain more nutrients than many
lettuces and greens purchased for salads, garnishments, and steaming.
The amount of information on wild plants and herbs is overwhelming; I have seen it leave people,
including myself, confused and then disinterested. So, let’s take a look at just one very local, very
familiar, and very abundant plant. We all know what Stinging Nettles look (and feel) like, but as
you are trying to dislodge it from your garden without getting stung, have you ever ask yourself what
the purpose of this ever-present plant is? It turns out there are several good reasons for its growth
and abundance, we have just forgot what they are.
Did you know, for example, that nettles have an extremely high concentration of nutrients? It is one
of the best overall tonics and has been referred to as “among the most versatile and potentially
valuable of all plants” (Angier, 1998, p.152). Nettles have amazing amounts of vitamins and
minerals including vitamins A, B complex, C, D, and K; they contains such minerals as: iron,
phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, cobalt and chromium; stick that in your steamer and eat it!
Yes, fresh green nettles are a delicious alternative or addition to normal table greens. The easiest
way to collect nettles is to use scissors and a paper bag; merely cut the young tender leaves into the
bag without having to touch any part of the plant. Once nettles are cooked, their volatile oils are
disarmed.
Another way to enjoy nettle nourishment is by drinking a daily cup of infusion; infusion, much like
tea, is made by pouring boiling water over dried or fresh herbs and letting the mixture steep for
several hours (4 – overnight). To make a medicinal strength infusion place 2-3 handfuls of herb into
a quart jar, fill the jar to the top with boiling water and steep with the lid on so the water-soluble
vitamins don’t escape through the steam. Drink 1 or 2 cups of infusion everyday for a month and
then reduce to a few times a week, for as long as you wish; remember, you are drinking
nourishment not medicine. You can dry your own or purchase dried organic or wild crafted nettles
for use year around. The best time to harvest nettles is during the first couple of months that they
poke their heads out the ground. After the leaves become large and old, or after the plant has
flowered, the taste becomes bitterer.
Besides acting as an overall tonic to the body, nettles have some specific qualities that can help with
balancing blood sugar and equalizing energy levels, strengthening the immune system, kidneys and
adrenals; nettles can also aid in normalizing the digestive system. They have been revered by women
young and old for helping with menstrual complications including, but not limited to, cramps, hot
flashes, heavy flow, pregnancy and menopause hormonal flux. External uses for nettles are also
varied and effective; dried powdered nettles can be sprinkled on a cut or wound to stop the
bleeding. Nettles can be made into tinctures, washes, lotions, and ointments to aid in bites, stings,
rashes, boils, abscesses and other skin irritations. Using a nettle wash on your hair is known to ease
scalp conditions and strengthen hair.
Too much information? You can see how easy it is to get over informed and feel like you could
never understand, much less incorporate, all of the scientific, holistic, and mythological claims,
stories, and facts about even just one herb (or weed, whichever you are inclined to). If you truly
would like to experience an herb, in this case nettles, start with just one or two suggested
applications; harvest a couple of plants, steam them, and serve with a little oil and vinegar. Purchase
or dry your own and make an infusion everyday for one week; see what you feel.
Nature provides us an abundance of plant life; many are nourishing and nurturing. Western society
has chosen science over natural healing; and even though many medicines are made to imitate the
biochemical constituents of plants, the plants themselves have been tossed into the compost pile (Oh
yeah, did I tell you about the nettle tea you can add to heat up your compost?). It doesn't take
much to begin a journey back to natural nourishment; it is easy and doesn't mean to replace what
you currently eat. Make it easy, make it doable, and make it fit your desires and curiosity.
(Disclaimer: It is always important to use common sense when working with and ingesting plants. If
you have no prior experience, consult someone who does. If you feel it necessary to speak with
your physician before adding new plants to your diet, I wholeheartedly encourage you to do so.)
References
Online Etymology Dictionary. Search word- weeds; Retrieved January 8, 2009, from http://www.etymonline.com/
Angier, B. (1998). Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants (16th ed.). Mechanicsberg, PA.: Stackpole Books.
Suggested Reading
Tierra, Michael. The Way of Herbs (1998): New York; Simon and Schuster Inc.
Weed, Susan. Wise Woman Herbal, Healing Wise (1989): Woodstock, NY; Ash Tree Publishing
| Nettles One Woman's Weeds are Another's Supplement Store... |