Stinging Nettles Are A Bane to FFs But A Treat To Englishman?

[fadeaway263]

I curse these plants when climbing out of a stream and these wackos eat them?

http://www.vice.com/read/english-idiots-hold-annual-stinging-nettle-eating-contest

 

[sandfly]

That's just not right in my book !

 

[Brownie101]

I always run into them things while wet wading the Brandywine for smallmouth during the Summer. Can't believe someone would actually eat them.

 

[lv2nymph]

Yea...Nope. More power to em, that's just nuts.

 

[GenCon]

Yea, not for me. I eat alot of weird crap but I don't think so. Some areas of the Saucon Creek are covered with them.

GC

 

[troutbert]

Some friends made nettles pesto and it was delicious. When cooked they have no stinging at all.

But I never imagined anyone would eat them raw. Falls into the "don't try this at home" category.

 

[BrookieChaser]

I didn't know stinging nettles were edible.

 

[caveman]

Stinging nettles are highly nutritious. Early spring growth leaves picked tender and steamed like spinach is a very nutritious meal, can be added to soups or eaten just like spinach.
Very low in calories and high in vitamins. Plus medicinal uses also.

http://skipthepie.org/ethnic-foods/stinging-nettles-blanched-northern-plains-indians/

 

[LouM]

It's also used as a herbal tea, for arthritis high blood pres.,blood purifier, kidneys, etc. too mention a few of about 30 uses. This is from the leaves with hair left on.

 

[Chaz]

BrookieChaser wrote:
I didn't know stinging nettles were edible.

Stinging nettles were brought here by Europeans because they were a favorite food, but they have to be cooked.

 

[caveman]

The stems also are a source of material for making twine and cordage.
There are at least two varieties found here one is native and one is of European origin. The european variety has larger leaves and is a coarser plant.

 

[foxtrapper1972]

We call this stuff Burn Hazel....I have eaten this many times, We pick it with gloves on... It is a delicious green. I boil in water and then serve with a little butter. Better than asparagus in my view, I also drink the water I boiled in as a tea. Very tasty. And healthful. I think of stinging nettle as a spring tonic. Honestly, you all should try it.

 

[PatrickC]

Precisely why I wear light weight fishings pants when I wet wade in the Summer...and then have a nice salad. 🙂

 

[beadhead2]

Did you notice they were all drinking beer
They were all probably inebriated and couldn't tell they were being stung !!!!!!!!

 

[geebee]

nettle wine and beer is delicious. same as dandelion, elder flower and burdock.

during WWII when all grains were needed for the war effort, my folks and their neighbours grew and made those from their Victory Gardens.

when they flower, you'll see little white trumpets. pluck them and the dew is sweet like honey - useful to know in a survival situation if you have a sugar /hypothermic crash.

another good thing to know if you fish in an area with stingers is that nature always provides its antidote close by - Dock leaves or Rumex.

look for the nearest broad leaf plant near the stingers - its an analgesic and can be used for bug bites too and for wounds lacerations.

 

[caveman]

Jewel weed will help with the sting also It has a mucilaginous sap that acts somewhat like aloe.

 

[troutbert]

Re: stinging nettles and fishing:

They will burn you through lightweight nylon fishing pants and lightweight cotton pants. They really offer almost no protection.

But will not burn you through blue jeans. The fabric is heavy enough that you can walk right through them.

And of course they won't sting through boots!

 

[shortrod2]

Jewelweed often grows near stinging nettles and can treat the stings also.


Sorry, didn't mean to repeat.

 

[greenlander]

Thanks for posting this. Reminded me that I intended to write this up a while ago, as I was surprised to find stinging nettles on a menu here in Philly last year. I also had no idea you could eat them, but have been enjoying them ever since. They're excellent eating.

 

[pcray1231]

2 years back I got hit during jam week on the Little J. I fell trying to get out of the water onto the bank. Caught myself with my arms, but on a bunch of stinging nettles. Completely ruined my day and continued to be an annoyance for a few days after.