Nettle is a perennial plant of the Nettle family. It is popularly considered a weed plant, although it surpasses many plants in composition and benefit. The healing properties of nettle became known at the beginning of the 17th century. Then it began to be used in medicine to treat patients. Special threads were made from plants, ropes, nets for fishermen were made. Fabrics were also made from nettles. Shamans and sorcerers used a burning weed to expel evil spirits from people. Also, various charms and brooms were made from it to expel damage from the premises. Nettle in the yard was never destroyed for the same reason. Allegedly growing in the yard or garden, the plant also protected its territory from dark forces and all kinds of evil eye. Parents used weed instead of a belt to punish young children. Now nettle is widely used in medicine, cooking, cosmetology. She goes to feed the pet. Many make blanks for nettle winter. The plant is pickled, salted, made juice. Still nettles can be frozen or dried.
Beneficial features
The first and most important advantage of the plant is its blood-purifying properties. Nettle favorably affects the vessels of the human body, supports them in good shape. It has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. Nettle contains a large amount of minerals, and in its nutritional value it is not inferior to legumes. The composition of this plant is rich in vitamins.
- B - B vitamins strengthen the nervous system, improve mood, relieve fatigue. Prevent the development of insomnia and various neurological diseases;
- C - vitamins of group C have a beneficial effect on the immune system, thereby protecting our body from various viruses, bacteria and fungal diseases. In addition, these vitamins have antioxidant properties and well cleanse the body of toxins and toxins;
- E - vitamins of this group mainly affect the skin. Maintain an optimal level of moisture in the body. Its deficiency causes dry skin, the formation of cracks, non-healing wounds. With insufficient intake of vitamin E, premature aging and the formation of wrinkles can begin.
- K - vitamins of group K are necessary for the absorption of vitamin D in the body. In addition, they allow blood to clot, which is essential for various skin lesions. A lack of this vitamin can lead to heavy bleeding and poor wound healing.
In addition to vitamins, nettle contains the following minerals:
- selenium;
- phosphorus;
- copper;
- zinc;
- chlorine;
- phosphorus.
Nutritional value of nettle per 100 grams:
- fats - 0.5 g;
- proteins - 3.7 g;
- carbohydrates - 5.4 gr.
Nettle successfully treat diseases of the blood, liver, urinary system. With it, you can get rid of dark circles under the eyes. Nettle has an antimicrobial effect, so it treats various purulent wounds. She is also able to stop bleeding.
Contraindications
But can everyone use this plant, or are there any contraindications? The main contraindication to the use of nettles is the presence of thick blood, prone to blood clots. The plant improves clotting and can thus exacerbate the problem. Nettle is also contraindicated in people with high blood pressure. With kidney diseases, it is also not used. The most definitive contraindication of nettle is pregnancy. She is able to provoke premature birth or miscarriage at an earlier date.
Harvesting for the winter for birds
Harvesting nettles for winter is very important for chickens. Poultry love to eat nettles. For them, it is no less useful than for people. Thanks to the addition of nettle to chickens, they rush year-round. In addition, animals are less likely to get various infectious diseases. As you know, such diseases often infect the entire brood, and animals die. In summer, everything is easier. Weed grows in almost every area. And what to do in the cold season? Harvesting nettles for the winter for birds will help here. Make it easy. Just follow a few simple rules. There are several options for harvesting nettle for the winter, but drying is the best option for feeding animals and birds.
So, it is better to collect the plant in the spring, when it has young shoots. In May, it contains much more vitamins. Gloves must be worn to protect your hands from a burning plant. Then the collected nettles are collected in a colander and rinsed abundantly with cold water. When all the liquid drains, the twigs must be laid out on a horizontal surface. Dried nettle in a dark and dry place. You can collect it in small brooms and dry, hanging over the ceiling. That's all. Such a blank is stored in bags of fabric or paper.
How to freeze nettles
Freezing is a very popular nettle harvest for the winter. Recipes of many dishes include it in their composition. Frozen plant is widely used in cooking. Nettles are added to soup, salad and more. This type of harvest for nettle winter retains almost all its benefits. How is such nettle made? So, harvesting for the winter - freezing nettles.
- For freezing, as well as for drying, spring leaves are needed. Cut branches are thoroughly washed under a stream of cold water;
- after they need to be dried and cut;
- nettle is laid out in a thin layer on dishes covered with plastic wrap and aged for 2 hours in the freezer;
- after that, in frozen form, it is transferred to the place of its storage.
This ends the process. If you preliminarily make preparations for the nettle winter, you can enjoy its delicate taste all year round and receive health benefits.
Nettle juice
Harvesting nettle for the winter in the form of juice is becoming more and more popular every year. This drink has all the beneficial properties of a fresh plant, has a soft, delicate taste with a light aroma. Perfectly quenches thirst. To prepare this juice, 1 kilogram of fresh nettle is taken (it is desirable that this is the period from May to June). Passed through a meat grinder and added 0.5 liters of cold water. Then mixed. All this is squeezed through cheesecloth, and the rest of the plant is passed through the meat grinder again and another 0.5 liters of cold water is added. The first and second juice is mixed and bottled. After sterilized for 15 minutes at a temperature of 70 degrees.
How to prepare winter sorrel with nettles
A combination of sorrel and nettle is often used in conservation. Winter preparations of these products are usually used for cooking borsch or as a filling in a pie. For cooking you will need:
- nettle - 1 kilogram;
- sorrel - 2 kilograms;
- water - 1 liter.
Sorrel and nettle are washed in cold water. Cut in small pieces. All this is filled with water and boiled for 5 minutes. Then everything is packaged in banks and sterilized for another 35 minutes.
Salt nettle
Perhaps the easiest way to harvest nettle for the winter. For 1 kilogram of nettle, you need 50 grams of salt. Young branches of nettle are washed under cold water and cut into pieces. Mix with salt, put in jars and close the lids. Everything, the nettle is ready, almost all useful properties remained in it. The only drawback of this method is the excessive amount of salt, which can spoil the taste of some dishes.
Nettle conservation
Such harvesting of nettles for the winter is common and using marinade. To prepare ordinary nettles, 1 kilogram of plant is taken. It is going in May, and only the tops. Then the leaves are washed with cold water and cut. Pour nettle 330 ml of water and bring to a boil. Stacked in pre-washed cans and pasteurized for 20-30 minutes. After nettles roll up the lids and lower them into the cellar.
There is also pickled nettle. Harvesting for the winter - preservation in this form - is also made in the spring. For 1 kilogram of nettle, you need:
- water - 1 cup;
- sugar - 1 tablespoon;
- salt - 1 tablespoon;
- vinegar - 50 grams.
Fresh nettle is washed in hot water and placed in jars. It is poured with boiling water and infused for 10 minutes. Then the water is poured into a separate container, where salt, sugar and vinegar are added. The marinade is brought to a boil and poured into jars of nettles. It is sterilized for 5 minutes and closed with lids. Now you will have nettles in winter. Harvesting for the winter - freezing, preservation or any other kind, as you see, the procedure is simple.