I can remember at a very young age picking these with their small purple blooms as well as dandelions and taking them to my mom with a big smile on my face. She would put in a small container of water and I was so pleased with myself picking flowers for my mom.
When you ask most people they will say this is a weed and they try to get rid of it each year. If only they would take the time to truly learn about this plant. Not only is it one of the first foods for the beloved bees, the medicinal benefits would surprise us all.
This evening I picked some to start tinctures and will pick more to dry for teas as well. I never take it all as I want to leave some for the early pollinators. As I was picking this evening I could hear a few bees near me going flower to flower enjoying the sweet pollen as they go.
Just a few of the benefits are immune boost, helps fight infections as well as allergies, fights fee radicals, prevent and treat urinary tract infections and fungal infections. Has anti-inflammatory as well as pain reduction properties. These are just a few of the benefits that this little purple flower of the mint family has been shown to have. As with all other herbs use with caution and always as your doctor if there will be any drug interactions with current meditations as well as if you have any adverse reactions stop using.
Lets go over a few different ways to use purple dead nettle. First is in a tea. You can use either fresh or dried. The taste can be very bitter so most people do not like it by itself. I like to mix it with a little camomile or even dandelion and add fresh local honey to sweeten. Tinctures can be made with either vodka or apple cider vinegar. Take 1 teaspoon up to three times a day as needed. For those who do not like teas or tinctures a salve made with purple dead nettle is wonderful to use on dry skin, scraps and more.
What is you favorite herb that most people consider to be a weed? Have a blessed day and see you soon.
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