Nettle

“The rose is often found near the nettle.”
Ovid

“Oh, I just love nettle. She reminds us to pay attention.”
~Vanessa Cooper~

My introduction to the benefits of stinging nettle strangely came about several years ago, when my son had a fever. To pass the time while the rest of the family was at church, we pulled out a well-loved game called “Wildcraft” and began meandering our way to “grandmother’s cottage” amidst poison ivy and stinging nettle, discovering nature’s cures for our ailments along our way. As the spin would have it, one of us fell into a nettle patch, and imagine my surprise when we learned that the cure for nettle stings was—stinging nettles! If we but knew of its curative qualities, we would all be coaxing its very existence in our basements! Donned with gloves, we walked to the backyard to collect this panacea of wonders to dry some of it in our dehydrator.

This plant of the fabled swan princess has quite the number of uses:  the fibers of nettle can be used to make twine, fishing nets, and ropes; prepared as a medicinal rub, it soothes skin irritations and allergic tendencies; swallowing a teaspoon of potent liquid herb prior to mowing the grass is a wise preventative for anyone with allergies. Who knew that I could have this symbiotic relationship with something whose reputation was its strong sting? I would never have guessed that it would have had benefits to me.

In similar fashion, how many times do I dismiss attempting intimate relationship with someone who nettles me, or leaves my spirit stinging with their sharp remarks? I’d rather preserve my sense of integrity than pursue a friendship with such a person; however, I believe that the stinging nettle holds a wise moral for us. It is said that “hurting people hurt people.” With this in mind, it bears the reminder to “not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so” (Pr. 4:27), and to “do it largely, and not sparingly. It will make you glad, when good is done, and not to grudge at what it cost you” (Richard Baxter).

The reality is that I grow weary of nursing old wounds from those whose stings deeply hurt me, but if I continue to nurse my own shrapnel wounds and the wounds of those who I love, I lose sight of the One whose wounds have paid it all.

May my focus be that of Paul’s letter to the Philippians, “doing nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others…Do everything without grumbling or arguing” that “you might shine among them like stars” (Phil. 2:3-4, 14).

“Let our temper be
under the rule of the love of Jesus…
Let the gentleness that refuses to take offense,
that is always ready to excuse,
to think and hope the best,
mark our intercourse with all.”
~Andrew Murray~

Nutritive Nettle Tonic

For a light tea, steep dried leaves in a mesh strainer for desired strength. For a more potent and nutritive brew, allow 2 ounces of nettles to soak in 8 cups boiling water for 4-10 hours. Store in refrigerator for up to 3 days.