N(caps)ettles are a really healthy food, containing a wide range of vitamins and minerals, as well as protein and fiber. You can use the leaves, flowers, seeds, stems and shoots. Stinging nettle is also exceptionally high in protein, more than any other vegetable. Due to their trademark sting, you want to take extra precautions when harvesting stinging nettles. For beginner, always wear gloves, make sure they’re thick garden or work gloves that the stinging hairs can’t penetrate. Basically cover up as much as possible any part of the body that might come into contact with the nettles. Nettles are covered with tiny hollow hairs filled with irritating chemicals. When you brush against these hairs, the tips break off and release the chemicals, causing the sting. The best time to harvest stinging nettle leaves while they’re still small, no more than a foot tall, because that’s when the leaves are the most tender, and before the plant starts flowering. Harvest the nettles by cutting off only the upper leaves. Pick only the first leaves on each spear in order to get the best of the plant. Check the undersides of the leaves to make sure there is no white spittle present. When you finish harvesting your nettle leaves, You can make nettle tea by boiling fresh leaves, or you can dry the leaves in a dehydrator for long term storage. Always remember. Don't rinse before storing, and Wear gloves when handling raw nettles, as they can sting the skin. In this video, I show you how I harvest stinging nettle leaves, so keep watching and go ahead and never miss the potential health benefits of nettle leaves right from your garden!
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