I read that nettles have lots of health benefits - what are they and how do you take the nettles

asks johnjo:
A. Nettles have been eaten and nettle tea drunk for centuries. Nettles contain good amounts of vitamin C and A, as well as iron, potassium and silica.

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Q. What can nettles do for me
A. Well, they make an excellent detoxifier for a start. They act as a tonic for the liver and kidneys, helping them rid your body of toxins.

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Q. What else
A. They can clear your skin of rashes, such as allergic rashes and eczema brought on by stress.

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And nettle tea can be drunk to help treat chilblains, high blood pressure and cystitis, and may help with hayfever.

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The juice of nettle leaves, mixed with honey or sugar, is a traditional remedy for bronchial and asthmatic problems.

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Extracts of nettle have even been used to treat arthritis, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and prostate cancer, but more studies are needed to prove that it works.

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Q. How do you eat them
A. Pick them in spring when they're young - six to eight inches high (wear gloves!). Rinse them well and place in a pan without any extra water, and cover with a lid. Simmer for about 20 minutes.

Then treat them like spinach - chop them and serve them as they are, or reheat with butter or cream and season.

They also make good vegetable soup.

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Q. Can I dry them to make nettle tea
A. Yes. Collect them in May and June before they come into flower. Harvest in the morning after the sun has dried off the dew. Cut off just above the roots and tie in small bunches. Hang over a string in a well-ventilated sunny room. When they are completely dry, store immediately in an airtight container.

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Q. What if I don't want to eat nettles or drink nettle tea
A. You can take the homeopathic remedy made from nettles - Urtica. It's used as a remedy for skin rashes, for easing rheumatic pain, and to treat piles and stomach problems. It's also useful for breastfeeding and dealing with skin rashes, such as hives and prickly heat.

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Q. Do nettles have any other uses
A. Quite a few, including:

• A hair rinse - simmer a handful of young nettles in a large pot of water for a couple of hours, then cool, strain and bottle. Use a final rinse for glossy, dandruff-free hair.
• An insect deterrent - flies hate nettles, so keep a fresh bunch by your kitchen window.
• Urtication - this is an old remedy for rheumatism where you flog yourself with nettles - and we absolutely do not recommend it!

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by Sheena Miller