The Mighty Queen Nettle

PLANT OF THE GODS THORA, PERUN AND DONNER - QUEEN NETTLE

Nettle is a plant that glows, burns, and can be woven; it nourishes and heals, earning its place as the queen of wild medicinal plants. Evidence of nettle fabric dates back to the Bronze Age around 2300 BC, and even 400 years before Christ, Hippocrates recorded approximately 60 nettle-based remedies. Nettle’s association with ancient gods speaks volumes of its power: it stings like fire (ally of the Slavic god Perun), strikes like lightning (akin to the Germanic god Donner), and, as German painter Albrecht Dürer portrayed, it appears on canvas as an offering to the divine (1471-1528).

Growing almost everywhere, nettle is humanity’s ever-present ally. Every part of this plant is useful: from its roots and stems to its leaves and flowers, which are rich in essential nutrients like potassium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, and vitamins C, B2, and B5. High in carotene, nettle supports good eyesight, healthy skin, and shiny hair, and it is often used to treat infections in the mouth, nose, and throat, benefiting the entire respiratory and digestive systems.

In the kitchen, nettle's versatility shines. Whether in summer soups, mixed into meatballs, prepared as a side dish, or transformed into a liquid form like syrup, it’s always a welcome addition. And when summer temperatures soar, a cool nettle syrup is a refreshing way to stay hydrated. Making nettle syrup is a simple and flavorful adventure!

Nettle Syrup Recipe:
Gather 200g of fresh nettle tops, cover them with two liters of water, and add four sliced lemons. Let this sit for 24 hours, then add one kilogram of honey. Bring to a boil, cool, and pour the syrup into glass bottles. Serve over ice, and enjoy a sip of summer with nettle’s natural chill!