Be Nice to Nettles Week

“Stinging nettles give us an insight into both the capacity for nature to flourish even in some of the hardest urban conditions, and how plants are essential in providing us with some of the neccessities of life.

Not only do they provide excellent food for some butterflies and moths, but we can make tea from their leaves, use them as dyes, and once stung we will never forget their power to protect - as good a piece of environmental education as any.”

Mathew Frith
Urban Advisor, English Nature

Nettles and People

Until the latter half of the 20th Century the nettle was regarded as a most useful plant. And just as the nettle has exploited mankind by colonising their waste areas, mankind has exploited the nettle using it for food, clothing and remedies.

Even today there is much research into the medicinal use of the nettle.

	Nettles as food Soups, stews, teas and all!
	Nettles as medicine Treatments involving nettles, past and present.
	Nettles as clothing Yes you can wear them too!
	Nettles in the garden Learn how to put nettles to good use in the garden.