Nutritive, antihistamine, tonic, blood cleanser, astringent

Dried herb, tea, poultice, tincture

Nettle is very nutritious and delicious, despite its stinging properties. Drying or cooking the plant neutralizes its stinging compounds. Nettle provides a good source of protein, calcium, phosphorous, iron, magnesium, potassium and vitamins.

Nettle makes a great skin and coat rinse for providing relief to itchy skin and fleabites. Leaf tincture or tea can also help seasonal allergies.

As a nutritive, sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of dried herb onto each pound of food fed to dogs, or 1/3 teaspoon for cats.

• Wear gloves and a long sleeved shirt to gather nettle.
• Extended use of nettle can irritate the kidneys.
• Use the plant before it flowers to prevent kidney irritation.

Wulff-Tilford, Mary, and Gregory L. Tilford. All You Ever Wanted to Know About Herbs for Pets. Irvine, CA: BowTie, 1999. Print.

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