On a farm, there are
A LOT of weeds!
A few years back, Brett and I met some other farmers who would make their own Stinging Nettle Leaf Tea. So we bought some off of them because it was a product they offered, and we took it home and brewed it up. Well heck, it was really good! The leaves make for a dark green cuppa, with a green-tea like flavour, but without the bitterness.
Last year at the farmers market, I met a lovely man who together with his wife, sold Dandelion Tea. Intriguing I thought! Another weed made into something useful...
Then I recently watched the TV series "Outlander".... if you haven't watched it, you need to! My Mom & many of my friends have read the series, (I need to now!) and have raved about it. Heads up, as Brett calls it my soft porn, hahaha! A little more love never hurt though right! ;)
Anyways, in the Outlander series, one of the main protagonists, Claire, is a nurse who uses plants for medicine. And even though this series is fiction, there is a lot of truth in plant medicine. Because FOOD IS MEDICINE!
So What am I Doing With my Weeds This Year?
I am collecting all the Stinging Nettle Leaves and Dandelion Roots I can get my hands on! It is seriously so easy, and you can too. Make FREE, NUTRITIOUS & DELICIOUS tea, straight from your back yard. And then, like what I preach with our Farm Fresh Meat & Eggs, "How is Your Food Raised?", you know exactly how your tea is grown?
What is So Good About Weeds for Your Body?
These two weeds have been used for thousands of years to treat many various ailments.
STINGING NETTLE LEAVES can help with:
- Allergies / Hay Fever
- Pain
- Edema
- Gout
- Inflammatory Arthritis
- Improving Kidney Function
- Hair Growth
- Acne
Like trying anything new, it is important to speak with your doctor first.
How to Make Your Self a Cuppa Damn Good Tea
- Using gloves, collect the leaves from Stinging Nettle Leaves.
- You can use the leaves fresh or to preserve them, lay the leaves on some paper towel and allow them to dry. Then store them in a glass jar and label it. This will allow you to make a cup of tea in the middle of winter.
- Brew a few leaves for 5 minutes.
- You can drink 3-4 cup per day
Warnings to Note:
- Nettle is a diuretic (makes you pee), make sure to drink additional water.
- Use gloves when collecting, it's called "Stinging" Nettle for a reason.
- Most importantly, talk to your doctor:
- In PREGNANCY, Nettle tea can alter the menstrual cycle and may contribute to the risk of miscarriage.
- Like anything, there is risk of being allergic to nettle.
- Some studies showed Nettle to interact with blood thinners, water pills, drugs for diabetes, lithium, NSAID's and high blood pressure.
Other Uses for Nettle Leaves!
- Soup
- Pesto
- Capsules
- Juice
I will be brewing up my Dandelion Roots later this week so be sure to keep posted! Thanks for reading and being part of our Farm Fresh Community.
Cheers & much love
Jillian
