Nettle Seeds for Nutrition
Despite their reputation for causing harm; stinging nettles (Urtica dioica) are one of the most useful plants to humans in the UK. The long fibres which make up the ‘skin’ of their stems can be processed into a fibre and produces a strong thread with potential applications in cordage and clothing; the leaves are highly nutritious and outstrip Spinach in every way (including flavour) as well as containing compounds which are used to treat arthritis. However at this time of year I am more interested in the seeds.
The development of seeds
Stinging nettles start to produce seeds in early summer, although like with most annual plants this does depend on the weather up to this point. If left alone, a patch of nettles will grow tall through spring, then produce flowers (male on some stalks and female on others), after the flowers are pollinated by wind the female ‘catkins’ develop into seeds. These seeds mature over the summer and have become really popular amongst foragers in every country where stinging nettles grow.
A mood bosting powerhouse
The seeds of stinging nettle contain Vitamins (vitamin A, B, C, E and K), minerals (iron, silicon, calcium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium), beta-carotene, folic acid, essential fatty acids. They are used by modern herbalists as a tonic for fatigue and adrenal exhaustion due to containing acetylcholine, serotonin, choline and histamine which have given rise to nettle seeds having a reputation as a Western adaptogen herb.
The acetylcholine in nettle seeds can contribute to an improvement in mood and attention span, this alongside a boost in serotonin (also from the nettle seeds) which regulates mood, appetite and sleep makes nettle seeds a good food supplement to have at hand.
Foraging and using Nettle seeds
In order to forage for stinging nettle seeds you simply need to identify a patch of stinging nettles and wait for the long catkin shaped strings of seeds to develop – it’s best to pick them whilst they are still green, once they start to turn brown they are drying out and become less palatable. If foraging a large number of stinging nettles, and this applies to any part of the plant, I will always wear gloves and a long sleeved top to prevent accidental stings from neighbouring plants more than anything.
Nettle seeds have a slightly nutty flavour which is brought out more by lightly toasting in a frying pan. You can include nettle seeds in anything, whether you grind them into a powder to add to smoothies, put them in bread with other seeds or sprinkle them over your meal – sweet or savoury, both works!