Red dead nettle, also known as Lamium purpureum also known as purple dead nettle, is a herbaceous flowering plant that belongs to the mint family. While it is often considered a weed, it has a long history of medicinal and culinary use. During this time of year in the PNW, it’s cropping up all over in lawns and other semi-disturbed or exposed areas. Making a nutritive drink is one of my favorite ways to work with this delightful little herb. Also, taking the tops off and tossing them into a salad is pretty satisfying.

To make a nutritive drink, just pick half a jar of fresh Red Dead Nettle (named as such as it no longer possesses a sting, so the sting is “dead”). Boil up a kettle of water, pour over your herbs until the jar is full, cap it, leave it on the counter for about an hour and then transition to the fridge and let it sit overnight. In the morning while thinking about how you are going to nourish yourself and what a great day you’re going to have, drink this lovely brew. You can reheat it if you want, but it’s quicker to drink cold or after it has come back up to room temp. Of course, feel free to take your time with it and just sip throughout the day! Lovely!

As with all things, please try a little bit on the inside of your wrist before you ingest and do make sure that you don’t have any medications on board that might react poorly with this mint.

The medicinal value of red dead nettle comes from its various chemical constituents, including flavonoids, tannins, and volatile oils. Traditionally, it has been used to treat respiratory infections, menstrual problems, and skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. It also has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that may help boost the immune system and promote overall health.

In terms of nutritive value, red dead nettle is a good source of vitamins and minerals. It contains high levels of vitamin C, vitamin A, and iron, as well as smaller amounts of calcium and potassium. It is also rich in antioxidants, which can help protect the body against oxidative damage caused by free radicals.

Overall, while red dead nettle has not been extensively studied in modern medicine, it has a long history of use as a medicinal and nutritional herb. As with any natural remedy, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before using red dead nettle for any health conditions.

https://amzn.to/41ARKu2 – Don’t see any in your area, why not choose a weedy zone that you want to transform into useful buddies. This is a packet of their seeds. Always nice to be able to forage from a supply you have knowledge of.