Upcoming new programs and Stinging Nettle

The next Advanced Friction Fire workshop is July 15, 2023 and there are spots open. https://www.stevepullinger.com/advanced-friction-fire-workshop.html     I will be having an edible/utilitarian plant walk late summer/early fall, more on that later. 


Also, I am excited to announce that Emerald Mountain Sanctuary and I will be hosting a weekend intensive on Wilderness Survival and Wildcrafting. This camping weekend will be in the beautiful mountains of Highland county, Va. and will cover basic Wilderness survival skills and a full day on edible and medicinal plants.  I will post the above 2 programs once all the details are worked out.  Keep an eye on my Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/primitivesurvivalskills or webpage, https://www.stevepullinger.com/ , for dates and itinerary. 



                                                Stinging Nettle

Stinging Nettle is one of my super plants. It is edible in so many ways, so much in fact, that I'm including this link by chef Alan Bergo.  https://foragerchef.com/nettles/    Personally I like nettles as a cooked green like spinach or kale. I boil them, eat the greens and save the leftover water in ice cube trays and freeze it for bean soup stock. I've also used fresh nettles in stir frys and for teas. This year I am drying gallons of leaves for teas and will also add them to winter soups and stews. Nutritionally, nettles have twice the calcium as milk, it has more protein than any other green and it has more vitamins and minerals than kale or asparagus.


There are more medicinal uses to even list here but it is no problem finding all this info online. Roman soldiers were said to rub the leaves on their bodies to promote circulation in order to stay warm.


The nettle stems make an excellent cordage, they can be made into fibers similar to hemp and flax for clothing. Since the fibers are hollow it provides insulation. German soldiers used nettle fibers for their uniforms in WW1 and used the leaves to dye their uniforms in WW2.

When harvesting, make sure to wear long sleeved tops and sturdy gloves, the stings will last for hours. If stung, wash with cold, soapy water. Another method is to rub crushed dock leaves on it, the old saying is 'nettle in and dock out'. Once nettle leaves are cooked or dried the sting is neutralized. 


If you plant stinging nettle, be sure to keep an eye on it. It will spread and take over, which may not be a bad thing, my nettle patch is over 1/2 acre now.