Stinging nettles, Urtica dioica, get a bad rap. Their name congers up an unpleasant image, which is in fact, the quality of this harbinger of spring most of us wish we could avoid. But since nettles have so many amazing properties, those in the know are willing to work around it, albeit very carefully.

Many gardeners consider stinging nettles to be weeds, as they grow quickly and vigorously, and because of their irritation to the skin, are hard to get rid of . Using gloves and wearing long sleeves to harvest is a simple solution, Fortunately, when cooked or dried, the “sting” of the plant is neutralized.

Nettles grow in temperate regions around the world, and are one of the first plants to emerge in the spring. They have been used traditionally as a blood purifier and tonic. They have been recommended by herbalists for many ailments, including anemia, arthritis, rheumatism, and hay fever. Nettles are also used for food, and make a nutritious green vegetable, high in iron and vitamins A and C, and even are brewed into beer. I’ve made an awesome nettle pesto, which rivals any basil pesto I’ve had.

Aside from food and medicine taken internally, nettles are used for stimulating hair growth, and as a hair rinse. They are anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant, and are useful externally for skin care products, particularly for eczema and other forms of dermatitis.

In my herbal body care line, Blue Lotus Botanicals, www.bluelotusbotanicals.com, I use nettles in a variety of products, including Spring Tonic Nettle Mint soap, Hair and Beard Serum and Restorative Hair Masques.  It is soothing, invigorating, mildly deodorizing and anti-bacterial and anti- microbial, an helps with hair and scalp problems, including dandruff, as well as stimulates hair growth.

So if you see a patch of nettles growing in your yard this spring that you  have avoided in the past, get to know it. Respect it, use it, and chances are, if you’re careful,  you’ll be happy you did.