How To Eat Raw Stinging Nettles - Bushcraft Foraging Skills For Survival And Prepping

Learn how to harvest and process stinging nettles, and eat them raw in the wild.
This Bushcraft and survival skill is ideal for prepping as well.
Foraging in the wild can produce an abundance of very healthy food, but what do you do with it once foraged?
If it can be eaten immediately, like the stinging nettle can, then maximum nutrition can be extracted from the plant.
These bushcraft skills easily overlap with other outdoors adventures like hiking, camping or backpacking.
The stinging nettle is very high in nutrients offering you health benefits as well.
For more bushcraft, prepping and survival information, check out the UK Preppers Guide website here:
www.ukpreppersguide.co.uk/
Happy Prepping Folks...
#stingingnettletea #herbalnettledrink #eatnettles

[@fuckmyoldbootshellovera6280]

Take no notice of negative comments .. this was a great watch . Thank you can’t wait to try .. been getting stung by these all my life .. 👍🏻

[@TheWrinklyNomads]

Thank you. Steve

[@pierresimon8152]

Young leaves contain 30% protein., so yes this is a very nutritious plant, you can use it for survival if the economy collapses.

[@exb.r.buckeyeman845]

Thanks Pierre, I think the economy is on the brink of collapse, so nettles to the rescue.

[@debbiecurtis4021]

The protein content is equal to beans.

[@debbiecurtis4021]

@@exb.r.buckeyeman845 yes. The economy will collapse within weeks. Billions will die of starvation. Preppers and foragers stand a far better chance of survival, as we'll know which plants are nutritional and edible.

[@ceedabulls]

​@Teoma why is it better where the dog walkers are unless you are being funny about maybe the dog peeing on the leaves??

[@mawage666]

7:47 you're welcome

[@IanSRutter]

Awesome video. My dad use to make gallons of nettle wine. Love the taste. If you ever get stung, you will always find dock leaves nearby. Grab a dock leaf and rub it on the part of skin which has been stung. The dock leaf will help neutralise the stinging sensation. When I lived in Buxton as a kid, I got stung for fun until my body got so use to it, the stings never bothered me. Great plant.

[@nathliemajskolv3525]

During the poorer era in Europe, women and children used to gather all the nettle they could find because of all its vitamin. They specially dried them so they could use it in their stu during the winter. Ever since I found out about it 2 years ago, I've been using it for soup, stu, pie and tee (mixed with young birch leafs) Instead of before when I cursed at them for growing everywhere.

[@TheWrinklyNomads]

Hi Nathlie, Yes, you look at them a different way when you realise how good they are for you. I don't tend to dry my own, instead buy ready dried. Regards, Steve

[@MrDeanDog91]

"because of all its vitamin" lol i dont think they knew what a vitamin is back then or a nutritious content :D

[@yvonnemitchell1744]

@@MrDeanDog91 silly comment , think of all the crap people eat these days.

[@debbiecurtis4021]

I make nettle tea. It's very tasty.

[@unlockyoursoulmemory4199]

@@MrDeanDog91 pretty sure they did... since in a herbal book from beginning of 20th century, they talk about vitamins, it must have been known since scorbut era (middle ages) how important specific plants are, yes, they might not have analyzed the chemical formula and researched it with microscopes, but the effects of the ingredients were well known

[@ucureu5079]

As a Nutritional Herbologist I have been eating raw stinging nettle leaves for many years. You can make a very delicious Pesto by substituting half of the basil leaves in your recipe with stinging nettle leaves. Put all ingredients in a blender and presto, you’ve got pesto. The grinding from the blender triggers the release of the acid contained in the needle-like hairs, which is then almost immediately neutralised. Carefully wash the leaves, leave them out to dry, then make your Pesto. I’ve never been stung in all the years I have been making pesto with raw nettles and basil. Lovely video. Thank you for sharing this precious information on the benefits of raw stinging nettles. Wishing everyone the best of health.

[@yvonnemitchell1744]

@Taiwo Omotosho mine grow in the garden

[@LouisPaquette]

UcureU - Thanks a lot for that idea to use in a Pesto. Will be trying this real soon!

[@DSmith-ix1xf]

How do you avoid getting sting when washing the leaves prior to making your delicious pesto❓.

[@ucureu5079]

@@DSmith-ix1xf I put them in the sink and cover them with water. Then I swish them around with a pair of tongs. Then I lift them out of the water and place them on towels to air dry.

[@ucureu5079]

@Taiwo Omotosho I buy mine from a local small market that sells a lot of Organic produce. They are a seasonal product so they are not available all year round.

[@tomwall2361]

I would never buy nettle from the store, it's a weed that grows litterally everywhere in abundance, easy to process. Better to eat the food that grows in your area than buying from god knows who from god knows where. Thanks for the video, lots of great info 👍

[@contact3604]

I remember my mother putting malt vinegar on my legs, everytime l got stung! But it worked every time👍 Thanks for sharing! Moira From England.

[@medinagul6842]

👍👍👍 It’s a very beneficial thing for auto mean disease like lupus and arthritis that I used and I haven’t been to the doctors for three years I would never use medicine this stuffs the best stuff and dandelions

[@phillipoleary2532]

medina gul, started eating dandelions this year and a long time gum infection went(no dentist during lockdown)

[@janefryer6750]

Hi Steve, loved your video , I have been harvesting them from my garden and putting them into my juices 🥤! I was fascinated about how you foraged the leaves🤔🤭 I can t believe how foolish I was last year not knowing the real benefits of them! God always provides with a variety of free edibles! Dandelions are marvellous too! The seeds travel all over the world as a nutritional food source! They are meant to be there! These nutrient dense plants are better for humans than organic vegetables! Thanks 🙏

[@johnnymac8680]

I have used stinging nettles instead of spring onions in 'champ' which is a meal popular in Ireland. The leaves can be gently cooked or used raw after being folded as shown in this video. Mix well with boiled potatoes and add a dollop of butter. I love this dish with a glass of cold buttermilk!

[@yvonnemitchell1744]

Johnny mac will try that

[@ucureu5079]

Thanks for this delicious idea! I suppose you could also use dried nettle leaves and add them like dried parsley.

[@Csio12]

Thanks.

[@cek7940]

I don't grow this but just ordered a liquid and a tea from piping rock. Thank you for your time and info, I appreciate you, God bless you sir Update...my husband and I tried the tea. My face gets flush so I couldn't drink it. We wanted to try it for my husband's allergies, it didn't help those but he said his muscles feel looser and he is not as stiff and sore as usual, a great outcome we were not expecting!! Praise the Lord!!

[@clairrollings3988]

I make a beautiful nettle soup with onion and wild cleavers (sticky weed). It's a great energy booster and tonic.

[@TheWrinklyNomads]

Hi Clair, I must try that, think it would be quite nice. Steve

[@luannalovell]

same here, but without the cleavers and I add baked beans then blend with butter and loads of black pepper :) yours def for energy mine for feeling nourished :) I have recently discovered cleavers so would like to try that

[@lidiyascribner6287]

I'm looking for resipe soup from Nettle

[@lidiyascribner6287]

@@luannalovell thanks for sharing Hao cook suup????

[@clairrollings3988]

@@lidiyascribner6287 try frying onion garlic, chopped chopped sweet potato, then add vegetable stock or chicken stock, nettles (without stalks) also add millet, season with salt and pepper,, cumin and coriander if you wish or leave these two out. This is delicious.

[@LittleNoiseBoy]

Been looking for a channel like yours for ages: bushcraft for those of us in Blighty. This is ace! Thank you... :-)

[@princessconsuelabananahamm1571]

Thank you for this video! Very helpful!

[@jerrybootneck1736]

Hi Steve, You should do a video on the benefits of the nettle seed. Very good for renal treatment etc, excellent energy boost etc. Very expensive to buy, if you bought a kilo your looking at around £130+ harvest them around late June. A teaspoon full a day is all you need.

[@debbiecurtis4021]

I'm going to forage nettle seeds. I'll use them in trail mix and baking.

[@sharonsheehy3128]

I have it growing in my garden, make soup and tea, must remember springtime is the best time ,,,,

[@lidiyascribner6287]

But April to late for netol

[@brianmul1]

Thanks for the info Steve

[@bobdoorzon9179]

Very good information. Thank you for posting this.

[@djyul]

Great,Love it! Started eating nettles a while ago,had lines running down my nails and they are disappearing ! Tea, root eat drink the lot!!

[@TheWrinklyNomads]

Yes, it seems to be able to fix the most unusual of ailments. Definitely a superfood... Steve

[@alien-mp7ci]

What caused the lines in your nails was it lack of a vitamin?

[@djyul]

@@alien-mp7ci TBH i dont know,there is a video on here that went through all ailments,like lines running through your nails and i think it was down to vitamin deficiency.Nettles have more vit c than oranges! Give it a go !!!Wont kill you!!!!

[@nixbondi]

@@djyul As soon ass you heat any vitamin C it kills it.

[@rosaliesemrau1293]

Lines in your nails mean you are deficient in B vitamins and B vitamins you have to take in a complex cuz they help the body breakdown each other into your body.

[@doeharris5363]

Excellent channel l love how you explain everything properly, l like nettles and love nettle tea as in your last video. Thank you for all your advice. X 😊🐱🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@olekluften9776]

Useful info. Thank you i learn a lot.

[@you_r_my-world2288]

Very educational. Thank you

[@KashfuzzCrochet76]

Thank you for the info! 🌻🌻

[@LivingthedreamwithTia]

Thank you for this detailed video. I have always bought and used the organic nettle for tea. I am just picking fresh ones and trying them raw today and the are pretty good. It def taste like wheat grass… I buy wheat grass shots at juice shots and it taste very similar to that.

[@M1lesh1ckschany1]

Very good Information. Thank you for taking your time to help others.

[@juliesangels5]

Absolutely brilliant thank x x

[@robertblay8901]

Excellent video thank you.

[@aland1618]

Thanks for the info on a good foraging food

[@dancingram79]

I made a delicious nettle soup yesterday, it was so very tasty. It was very fun to pluck it behind my home. 😊

[@dannyhartigandjnzealand1470]

Very good vid they are all over nz. I will follow this example for trying them. Thanks for your time to show us.

[@barbarabrooks2090]

Be careful. I hear NZ has some nettles that dangerously large and venomous. The two main rules seem to be: Wear protective clothing incl. gloves, and cook or dry the plants before eating them.

[@claredodd1258]

Another great video. Thankyou xx (Manchester)

[@josedess8823]

Thanks a lot for your very helpful videos and very intelligent knowledge wish you the very best of health

[@BananaJSSI]

Great vid. I harvest lots every year and make tea to drink daily. My wife cooks with it as well

[@sean9021]

Thanks for this. Great tips. I like the picking method at 7:50.

[@feelsman7837]

Note: young leaves are the best for consumption. Older ones develop cystoliths, which are gritty particles that can irritate kidneys. The best database for foraging knowledge is pfaf.org. I really recommend looking up the plants that you're planning on using in any way on this website. Contains loads of useful information.

[@lidiyascribner6287]

Irritate kidney frash??? Or Coke

[@andrewholden5652]

@@lidiyascribner6287 does that mean I will scoot across the carpet

[@shithappenedwhatnow3028]

Thanks, good video :)

[@jackieo8693]

Fascinating

[@DavidOlver]

Thank you

[@marciakipp3633]

Fabulous info, many thanks 👍 Iam definitely going to incorporate into my diet❤

[@TheWrinklyNomads]

Thank you Marcia.

[@luannalovell]

awwwwsum,,,, I tried raw once and stung my mouth lol but didnt hurt for long . Love this way to prepare them :)

[@randallcrawford4141]

I thought like you said sort of melon like cucumber taste...I never ate them raw till I saw your video but cooked them in olive oil salt pepper or favorite herb basil lemon pepper ,tarragon. Heat on medium till they are wilted and frying a little about 10 minutes then take them off the heat .. very good with eggs, potatoes, vegetables ,meats... I also put it in soups ,.... Surprisingly very tasty especially with a dash of salt if you season it....I Fried them before till they were crispy like potato chips lol ... they can be invasive and do well in a big tub in the garden....grows fast in full sun likes fertile mulch soil with worms and grows on underground runners....so it will fill up a planter...good luck and enjoy!

[@rachelbillings4067]

I always thought these plants were buggers but now i wont destroy them, I'll eat them!

[@sharrai2865]

I really like this vegetable for good health I appreciate

[@ptbaines]

Great information.

[@TheWrinklyNomads]

Thank you Rosemarie.

[@zarlaharriman9347]

Evening my friend... made me laugh when you described it as "green flavour".... its how I always describe it too.... ! Take care matey 🐇🐇

[@Shana349]

I am allergic to the sun I get red rushes very itchy, my GP prescribed few medications but didn't work . I Googled it found out nettle sting very good for it I made tea and drunk for all summer, I didn't get it for last three years even though I didn't drink the tea last three years. This year I get it again immediately I started to make the tea again , after a week drinking the tea it stopped feeling of Itchiness immediately, because it is an antihistamine properties

[@pig0115]

Good benefit...

[@happyworkertafari2965]

Very nice 👍

[@loncey-vaughanbailey-green1753]

Cheers from Cairns mate. I will try this on the introduced species after I get back, from my trip next year. I wouldn't dare try it on our giant native one, maybe, I'll ask an uncle who used to be, a local national park ranger:)

[@djsiimz]

If you waft them over a fire flame until they go limp that also gets rid of the stingers

[@laurenpaterson3475]

Thanks great tip on flattenenung then

[@mikedebell2242]

I never ate one raw but 'green' is how I describe the flavor to any who ask.

[@alexanter4307]

Hii.....today 1 April 2021 I harvested nearly 3 kilos of them (one huuuge bag 😅) I love the taste of them, I would describe the taste like a seaweed...i will dry them and pack them for winter......

[@danielleroseshaw]

Ate some this week for dinner they were delicious taste like spinach but less of the drying taste in the mouth and more woody. 👍

[@christopherellis2663]

Pinch at ground level, pull whole plant out. Root is good, too. Air dry for a few hours, ready to roll 🇫🇷

[@TheWrinklyNomads]

Thanks Chris, I wasn't aware of that. Steve

[@christopherellis2663]

@@TheWrinklyNomads been into them since the '90s 🧙‍♂️ 🇫🇷

[@christopherellis2663]

Alternatively, put in fridge overnight. 🇧🇦

[@theindigotraveller]

I love this. I knew nettles where great)

[@caroltiley5762]

I use them in tea! Thank you

[@laurenpaterson3475]

Amazing the crushing idea saves washing and boilingb

[@multiphony]

Very nice! one picture, of the flowering plant is actually a different plant, that does not sting.. also eatable though.. only know the german name: taubnessel, and you can actually eat its flowers, even suck some sweet nectar from the back side of the flowers if you pull them off, and if no insect has taken it before you :)

[@TheWrinklyNomads]

Hi David, Thanks for the info 👍 ATB, Steve

[@marcussmith7694]

They are called white dead nettle, Lamium album. And yes the flowers are really tasty and surprising filling, one hand full keeps you going for a good while...

[@yvonnemitchell1744]

@@marcussmith7694 l leave them for the bees

[@11ildiko11]

Also making beautiful stew

[@richiekhour4604]

I can tell ever since this video has been released, a lot of people has been stung.

[@TheWrinklyNomads]

haha yes probably....

[@pjsmoggy963]

The flowering Nettle in the video, is not Stinging nettle, but Dead Nettle or Archangel. 'Lamium Album' not related to the Urtica Dioica.

[@MrPaulstride]

yabadabadoo nice one.

[@geoffringham1051]

It's strange because I would have thought that the stingers in the nettles was natures way of telling us to stay away from them 😕. But they do taste good and make excellent tea😊

[@whengrapespop5728]

Geoff James. UK. Hey, Camels chew and consume spiky cactus.🤷‍♂️

[@gmr1241]

This is why it's called 'grasping the nettle'. I now have a new party trick.

[@jdrigot]

Is it necessary to remove the stingers? Getting stung seems to have benefits for chronic conditions that I experience. It's early spring here in southeastern Wisconsin and I've been enjoying the nettle harvest.

[@yvonnemitchell1744]

Gloves all the way ,and cooking first , but thanks for the advise .

[@lisajones3398]

😂😂😂great Video. Thank you

[@grandwonder5858]

Where I'm at the stinging nettle are getting hard to find because of over-harvesting and people practicing unsustainable harvesting methods by pulling the entire plants out of the roots. I know several places that were once dominated by stinging nettles are now being replaced by giant ragweed. So, be considerate and practice sustainable harvesting methods when you harvest stinging nettles since these plants now have a lot of people harvesting them thanks to the advent of the Internet, which has made foraging more popular and identifying plants easier.

[@carlgholder]

At the "naturismo" clinic in Mexico, they start the day with a whole-body spanking with a bunch of "urtiga," stinging nettle. Impressive sensation! Then a wipe down with a cold wet towel, then wrap in bedsheet and blanket, then to "relax" in bed. The great whole body sensation subsides within 5 minutes, and goes away. They practice this technique to stimulate the major elimination/detox, organ of the body, the skin. Then on to the steam cabinet. Spectacular

[@whosspyingonme]

Excellent ..You show the needles..close Ups etc..

[@TheWrinklyNomads]

Thank you 👍

[@marilynmonroe7854]

Thankyou, thia ia so helpful especially now .. May The Goos Lord Bless You .. Shalon

[@panspermiahunter7597]

Flowering and just after flowering? what is the problem with them? I will be trying stinging nettles from now on, thanks.

[@chrissonnenschein6634]

Simply pinch leaf from underside and roll up..and eat. simple. no crushing & no gloves needed. FYI: Nettles do not sting on the underside (but the sting can poke thru the leaf). But I must say, of various nettle species I have foraged around the world, the nettles in British Isles are not as enjoyable to eat raw if not careful. ALSO: the immature flower/seed buds are good eating too.

[@mancalleddave5]

Hi, I'm looking for wild food away from people in Vale of Glamorgan, SOuth Wales, Spring (now). What can you recommend I go for? we need vitamins. THanks

[@svelanikolova5776]

On the contrary. Don't avoid the sting. We beat ourselves with nettle to treat arthritis pain and promote blood circulation. You get used to the sting after 2 weeks. The most powerful part of the nettle are the seeds . When the seeds start drooping downwards its time to harvest. Dry in a warm dark room with zero moisture . Eat 1 teaspoon of nettle and 1 tabs of chia seeds in tomato soup for a powerful antibiotic dish. In that tomato soup you can also add Curry Ginger Turmeric and garlic along with 1 tabs of well chopped walnuts Leg me know how you like my antibiotic tomato soup.

[@TheWrinklyNomads]

Thank you Svela, Very impressive and useful information.

[@svelanikolova5776]

@@TheWrinklyNomads you are very welcome. I love sharing what I know .

[@stuartwakefield1657]

can you use the whole plant and the root

[@bobsatterfeild9801]

I can't help but laugh! Lol!!! I could have said the exact same thing a lot quicker, but I love it! Why laugh you say??? To eat it raw would take for fk'n ever!😂😂😂 Very informative though sir, much appreciated.👍

[@salemthemerciless]

Hello, please help me out. I was told that the green stem nettle is not the one to be used , that the correct one is the red stem nettle. Is this true ?

[@bearbookmosaicstudio3634]

I add the raw nettle leaves to my smoothly, also make delicious soup.

[@TheWrinklyNomads]

Hi Ina, Good info, thank you. I might try that...

[@mabtun2960]

So will the stinging disappear when they are crushed even if they are not squesed

[@Goldi3loxrox]

Do dried nettles like you would buy in the health food shop have the same or similar health benefits as fresh ?

[@TheWrinklyNomads]

Hi Jade, Apparently, the health benefits are pretty much the same, but the taste seems to vary from brand to brand and country of origin. I have tried drying my own for all year round supplies but found I need to harvest so much, it's too time consuming! So I use mostly the dried stuff. Although I have tried several brands, there much the same and I'm currently using this one: amzn.to/2EWP1TW So far I haven't seen any major differences in the health benefits between dried or fresh, but making fresh is more pleasing! Hope that's has been some help, ATB, Steve

[@Goldi3loxrox]

Yes Thank you Steve.

[@bobbiemiddleton6156]

Win I was a sprout my Dad art out of pasture a plant called Bull nettle it had seeds in the middle an very hard to get to

[@bobbiemiddleton6156]

You could find Bull nettles in water Mellon pastures are the fields around fences and in comin cattle pastures they were very pain full , the seeds were very good an healthy.

[@TheWrinklyNomads]

Hi Bobbie, I don't think we have that species of nettle here in the UK? It looks a mean old nettle as well, with quite a sting!!! ATB, Steve

[@bobyoung241]

when wrongly effected stinging nettels just chew on so plantain and make a pultrust.

[@BURBFARMERDOTCOM]

Can they be grown in a garden ?

[@robertdouglas7248]

No one mentions any possible health benefits that could come from intentionally brushing a sore body part against the growing nettles? I just enjoy the sensation of tingling that follows just brushing a hand against some leaves. I don't find it painful , but the feeling is quite strong & tingles for maybe 30 minutes. I reckon this could be quite beneficial giving my system a mild shock ? Robert Douglas, Augerolles

[@natashareid4597]

Ive seen ppl on yt said they use it like that to treat their arthritis. They rub it against the joint area and it stimulates some sort of antibody reaction hence reducing swelling and pain

[@rosehippyguy3402]

I'm glad you only have 15k subscribed. We don't need the unprepared sheeple to make it through.

[@TheWrinklyNomads]

haha, dont think they venture out far from McDonalds either....!!!!!

[@rosehippyguy3402]

@@TheWrinklyNomads 🤣👊

[@tonydomingo3559]

Green cucumber 🥒 flavour

[@trojax44]

I seen another guy on a video eating those white nettle flowers, are they ok or not?

[@arch-aidecontracting5016]

if you wave the plant over a campfire, the stingers just melt off

[@patrickganly5206]

I watched 11 minutes out of 13 before I said, Why am I watching a man eating nettles??😂

[@ronaldfousek8304]

Check out concerns if you are on blood thinners.

[@mikefrommaryland9652]

Gentleman, if you’re in your late 40’s or early 50’s take as much of this herb as you like and the root, it’ll make you feel young again.

[@tdubbs934]

What do you recommend. Tea or eaten raw?

[@micheloff-grid4248]

I eat salade of it raw i cut it very small and mix whit vinegar oil onions garlic ground flak seeds sesame and rose flower dandelion and more you can get some sting but no arm you fell them went you drink could water

[@minnettegriffiths1492]

Can this plant grown in the Carribean? Where can I get the seeds to purchase?

[@sarahmacdonald1143]

Please Note: Admiral Butterfly caterpillars eat nettles. If you see folded leaves, leave the plant as it is home to an Admiral

[@nacholibre1962]

Deliberately stinging yourself liberally with stinging nettles (known as urtification) helps tremendously with arthritis and other iflamatory disorders. Soaking and/r cookeing them destroys the stingers.

[@rhodriassinder6954]

If blanched could they be frozen?

[@wendycarlson1801]

I COOKED MINE IT TASTED LIKE SPINICH

[@redpillnibbler4423]

I often make pea and nettle risotto,the young nettle leaves being an excellent spinach alternative.

[@casperockley9244]

Do you have to do the folding if you are going to use them for tea and not eat the leaf raw?