Stinging nettle is one of those super plants that supposedly does it all. I can’t speak to all its benefits, but I do find stinging nettle helpful for seasonal allergies. So do others, apparently.
The Mount Sinai Health Library has this to say about nettle:
One preliminary human study suggested that nettle capsules helped reduce sneezing and itching in people with hay fever. In another study, 57% of patients rated nettles as effective in relieving allergies, and 48% said that nettles were more effective than allergy medications they had used previously.
I’ve been drinking nettle tea in the morning, but ya know, I’m a coffee kinda’ girl. I’ve been thinking I’d like to chew my nettle.
Stinging Nettle Crisps (Chips)
Plus, I’m a big fan of crispy, salty, baked-in-lard type of foods. As long as that lard is from pastured pigs, that is.
So, hey, if you can make a chip from kale, you can make a chip from nettle, I’m thinking. A pretty darn good chip, if I do say so myself!
For dinner the other night, we had grass-fed burgers with dandelion pesto, and a side of stinging nettle chips. Couldn’t get any better than that!
Just be sure to wear gloves while harvesting and while removing the nettle from its stems. They don’t call it stinging for nothin’. Cooking the nettle will render the little stinging hairs harmless.
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What great ways do you use stinging nettle? Get the stinging nettle chips recipe below.
More Posts You’ll Love
How to Safely Forage and Use Stinging Nettle
Forager’s Guide to Plant Identification
Zuppa Toscana Soup with Stinging Nettle
Stinging Nettle Chips
Ingredients
- 3 - 4 cups stinging nettle leaves
- 2 tablespoons melted lard tallow, or coconut oil
- sea salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 300°.
- Toss the nettle leaves with melted fat. Spread on a baking sheet.
- Sprinkle on sea salt to taste.
- Bake for 20 - 30 minutes until crisp, gently turning once with a spatula halfway through baking.
- Cool on paper towels.
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Jenny says
Oh my gosh this is such a great idea!!! We have tons of stinging nettle, but sauteing it is the extent of my creativity. It’s good that way, not in a “oh my gosh this tastes great” kind of good, but after you eat it, it leaves the most satisfied kind of feeling like you just ate a year’s worth of every vitamin. But to have it taste great AND be satisfying too…ok this is heaven!!! LOL!!! I could probably dehydrate it and eat it all year round….now the wheels have started to turn 🙂
Susan Vinskofski says
Love your enthusiasm, Jenny!
Barb says
I have a dehydrator but I also like dehydrating in my oven at 170° overnite. But I will try at 300° as soon as my nettles start growing.
Susan Vinskofski says
Enjoy!
Kristel says
You are always full of creative ideas! I plan to try them both.
Susan Vinskofski says
Enjoy!!!
easypeasy says
Gotta try these! Kale chips are good but sometimes it nice to have a change! 🙂
Bryan says
Are there more than one kind of stinging nettle and are there any that you should not consume.
I have a bumper crop of nettle this year that looks like the same kind as what is in your article. Wouldn’t it be great if you could eat it instead of trying to eradicate it.
Susan Vinskofski says
Bryan, there are many kinds of nettle. Stinging nettle is Urtica dioica. Your best bet is to google that to make a positive identification of your nettle. Thanks for stopping by!
Toes says
This was a new idea to me. Sounds tasty. I’ve also never had nettle tea but if it’s not to strong a flavor maybe you could combine it with your beloved coffee?
Susan Vinskofski says
I’ve brewed coffee with herbs, but I don’t think I’d enjoy it with nettle. (Plus I’m 9 weeks caffeine-free!)
Tylee says
This information is great! I find it extremely helpful.
Sarah Lynn Phillips says
Where can we find stinging nettle locally? I’ve heard when you rub the plant on joints, it relieves arthritis pain . . . ? Thanks, Susan.
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Sarah, talk to Deb; it’s growing in her yard!
Sarah Lynn Phillips says
Ahhh. Thanks!
Frank Slider says
Poisonous white snake root looks somewhat like stinging nettles. There is NO stinging hairs on white snake root, but be aware. I have seen them growing in close proximity to each other. Take care & have fun in the woods.
Susan Vinskofski says
Yes, thank you!!!