Always do your research before foraging for this weed. You can also buddy up with someone who is familiar with foraging and learn that way too.
I know I dehydrated some in the past for teas, and did you know that if you blanch them, you can ice bath them and freeze them for eating in future meals?
You do need to have very thick protective gloves on to harvest this medicinal weed. It's prickly spines will leave a nasty, itchy rash on you if you do not. Just ask my husband. He was mowing in shorts one time, and brushed against some growing here on the property. I had to lather him in chickweed salve. Chickweed is another weed to talk about when it arrives this spring/summer.
I wrote up a post about how I made a tea infusion for hair and nail health. I don't make the tea infusion as often as I did back then, but it is a nourishing tea with oat straw. You can do your own research, but the post can be found HERE.
Stinging Nettle © Feb 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart