If you’re anything like me, your instinct is to avoid anything that stings in the garden—but Stinging Nettle might just be the most underrated plant growing wild around your property. Yes, it can bite back if you brush against it bare-handed, but once you learn how to handle it, this plant is an absolute powerhouse for your homestead, your pantry, and even your medicine cabinet.
At Harvick Farms, we’ve been keeping a closer eye on the “weeds” that pop up in early spring. While identifying Henbit and Purple Dead Nettle in our beds (pictured below), it reminded me how many people overlook their prickly cousin: Stinging Nettle.
So let’s talk about why nettle deserves a space in your garden—or at least a second thought before you rip it out.
What is Stinging Nettle?
Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) is a perennial plant that’s common across Missouri and much of the U.S. It thrives in moist, rich soil and spreads like wildfire. Its sting comes from tiny hairs on the leaves and stems that release formic acid—but once it’s cooked or dried, that sting disappears completely.
Top 10 Uses for Stinging Nettle
Here’s where this humble weed really shines:
1. Nutritious Food Source
Nettle leaves are loaded with vitamins A, C, K, iron, magnesium, and calcium. You can use them like spinach—sautéed, added to soups, or made into pesto.
2. Herbal Tea
Dry the leaves and steep for a mineral-rich tea. Nettle tea is known for reducing inflammation, relieving seasonal allergies, and supporting kidney health.
3. Natural Fertilizer
Make a compost tea from nettles to feed your garden. It’s packed with nitrogen and trace minerals your soil will love.
4. Livestock Feed Supplement
Chickens, rabbits, and goats benefit from dried nettle in their feed. It boosts egg production and improves overall health.
5. Pain and Arthritis Relief
Traditionally, fresh nettles were used directly on sore joints (yes, sting and all) to relieve arthritis pain—a practice called urtication. You can also use dried nettle in herbal remedies for pain relief.
6. Hair and Scalp Health
A nettle rinse can strengthen hair, reduce dandruff, and promote hair growth. Steep dried nettles and use the liquid after shampooing.
7. Skin Salves
Infuse nettles into oil and use it as the base for salves that treat eczema, rashes, and bug bites.
8. Allergy Relief
Nettle acts as a natural antihistamine. Regular use (especially as tea or capsules) can reduce hay fever and allergy symptoms.
9. Fiber for Textiles
Believe it or not, nettle stalks have been used for centuries to make fabric, similar to linen. If you’re into historical crafts, this one’s for you.
10. Dye Plant
Nettle can be used to create a soft green dye—perfect for natural fiber projects.
Harvest Tips
• Wear gloves and long sleeves.
• Harvest young leaves in early spring for the best flavor and nutrition.
• Dry nettles in bundles or a dehydrator to use all year long.
The next time you spot nettle in your garden or along the edge of a pasture, don’t be too quick to weed it out. With just a little care, it can become one of your most useful homestead allies.
If you’re looking to explore more backyard foraging and herbal remedies, we’ve got classes coming up soon at Harvick Farms—follow us for updates!
#harvickfarms #foragedfood #nettlepower #homesteadherbs
