Nettle for Spring Cleaning Nettle is a highly nourishing, and a great herb for detox.  It is a food source being rich in many minerals especially iron.  Numerous times I have been approached by elders who have told me the same story about Nettle.  This plant helped their family survive when there was no food to eat after the war in Germany.   Nettle is good for soup, in tomato sauces, stews, and when young and fresh can be used in salad, or as a replacement for spinach in spanikopita or ricotta stuffings.  Being a food source, it does help balance the blood sugar even when taken as an infusion or tea. Nettle has been mentioned in more than one “old wives tale” as a valuable spring tonic.  It supports the liver and nourishes the blood.  Because of this richness it also is recommended for nursing mothers as an iron supplement.  Nettle is also indicated for easing breathing difficulties resulting from asthma or allergies.   Nettle is definitely one of those herbs found in many formulations but on its own it really holds it’s own and has a good solid place in my herbal kitchen.  Try it in your next meal or in your next pot of tea.