Nettle (Urtica dioica)

Stinging Nettle

Stinging Nettle has a vigorous creeping rhizome, serrated leaves covered in stinging hairs, and tiny flowers in summer. Its a perennial. The nettles stout stem is densely covered with stinging hairs that contain a venom of formic acid. Serrated, opposite, gray-green leaves are heart shaped and downy underneath. Small, greenish flowers appear in branched clusters from July to September. It can grow to a height of 8 feet.

To Harvest:

Use kitchen shears or pruning shears and cut 3 inches from the top. Do harvest flowering tops. When handling or harvesting nettle plants, be sure to wear gloves, long pants and sleeves in order to prevent severe stinging, itching, and blistering where the plant touches the skin. You can use leather gloves or I used my dish washing gloves.

Uses:

Stinging Nettle young leaves and shoots are rich in vitamins and minerals, are cooked as greens and brewed for beer or an iron-rich tonic tea for anemia. The leaves are a valuable fertilizer. The plant is diuretic, digestive, and astringent, stimulate circulation, and clears uric acid, relieving arthritis, gout, and eczema. A poultice treats eczema, burns, cuts, and hemorrhoids.  Used as a tonic for astringent for hemorrhage of the uterus. The tea is believed to stimulate the digestive system and increase lactation in nursing mothers. The seeds were given for tuberculosis and to treat the lungs after bronchitis. Heating or drying removes the leaves sting.  Once the greens are cooked or dried they lose their poisonous quality, but never use old leaves uncooked, for they induce symptoms of poisoning and can cause kidney damage.

The stems can be used as a fiber for fish line or for clothing. Used in shampoos, dried nettles make the hair healthier.

Storing and Drying:

Dry fresh nettle leaves in a paper bag, fold the top down and store in a cool dry place, out of the reach of children. Drying will destroy the sting.

How to brew:

By infusion: Use 2 teaspoons of dried, crumbles nettle leaves per cut pf water. Steep 10 minute to up to 4 hours for stronger tea/infusion.

Interested in making nettle beer click here for a simple recipe.

Nettle soup

Nettle Soup Ingredients

• 1 quart rich chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
• 1 large onion, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 2 tablespoons oil of choice (chicken fat is tasty in this soup)
• 4 cups nettle leaves, well washed
• Sea salt and freshly ground pepper

For Cream Soup (optional)

• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons thickener of choice, like tapioca flour

Nettle Soup Steps

1. Heat the broth to a simmer in a large soup pot.
2. While the broth is heating, saute the onion and garlic in the oil using a medium skillet.
3. When the broth comes to a simmer, add the sauteed vegetables and the nettle leaves.
4. Gently stir the soup for about two minutes. Turn off the heat and allow the soup to rest for 10 minutes before serving it. Puree for a smoother soup, or leave the leafs whole. 
5. Taste for salt and pepper. Make necessary adjustments.
6. If you want a cream soup, mix the thickener with the cream and beat it with a whisk to break down any lumps.
7. Bring the soup back to a simmer and slowly stir in the thickening mixture. If the soup is too thick, add more broth or water.

Dandruff Rinse

Restoring the hair to its mildly acid pH can help to clear up dandruff. See a physician if you don't start to see results in 1 to 2 weeks.

Ingredients

1 cup apple cider vinegar

1 cup water

2 TBS fresh lemongrass

2 TBS fresh nettle

2 TBS fresh peppermint

To make:

1. In a saucepan bring the apple cider vinegar and water to boil.

2. Place the herbs in a wide mouth jar.

3. Pour the boiling vinegar and water over the herbs.

4. Cover and steep for 1 week, shaking daily.

5. Strain out the herbs and decant the liquid.

To Use:

1. Dilute 1/4 cup herbal vinegar mixture with 1 cup water.

2. After shampooing and rinsing hair thoroughly, rinse with diluted vinegar.

3. Let the vinegar sit on the scalp for 1 minute.

4. Rinse thoroughly with cool water.

5. Pat hair dry.

Yield: 7 treatments ( 1 week)

Folklore 

In Scandinavian mythology, nettles were sacred to the god Thor, so families threw these plants on the fire during thunderstorms to keep  their homes from being destroyed by his lightening. Gather nettles before sunrise and feed them to cattle to drive evil spirits from them. In many nations exists the belief, that stinging nettles have magic powers. People would put some nettles leaves into pockets to be safe from lighting, or some dry leaves into shoes – that evil power would not be able to lead them to vicious places. Some nettles would put under the door, preventing evil to enter or would make brooms of nettles – to sweep evils from the rooms.

The belief is, that most powerful are adult, but not old nettles, gathered at the night of young moon, better in Tuesday. And please don‘t take the whole plant with roots – if the plant loose relation with the land , it loose part of their powers as well.


Breedlove, Greta. 1998. The Herbal Home Spa. Storey Publishing. Pownal, Vermont. 

Bremness, Lesley. 2002. Herbs. Dorling Kindersley. New York, NY.

Marcin, Marietta Marshall. 1993. The Herbal Tea Garden. Storey Pub. Pownal, Vermont. 

Rose, Jeanne. 1983. Herbs & Things. Putman Publishing. New York, NY

Nature Walkers Club

(Lacamas Lake 2012, photo by D.Brubaker)

Introducing My Wellness Zone Blog..

As often happens, this idea has been floating around in my head for quite some time.  Long enough to know action needs to be taken.   The idea is to create & lead a Nature Walkers Club.  We will meet every 2nd Sunday of the month, for a 2 mile (max) hike/walk & a weekly booster walk on Wednesdays for a midday One mile (max) walk, in a local natural area.  I really enjoy the Fish Hatchery trails.  Lacamas Lake is another favorite.  I am open for new ideas for places to walk.

What to bring.. Good heart, Good feet, conversation or quiet reflection.  Nature provides the rest.  Sorry, no mobile devices..  Photographic devices are welcome ;~)  We will encourage photo sharing.  Participate in ongoing nature walks and extra incentives for self-care, professional bodywork, and more..

Holistic Nutrition Consultation

I am Fawn, I have been a massage therapist for 8 years. I grew up going to a Naturopathic doctors, chiropractors and regular allopathic doctors  I watched my brother being born at home at the age of 8. I watched my mother breastfeed both of my brothers. I changed their cloth diapers with pins and plastic pants.  I took vitamin C and herbs when I was sick. My mom cooked home made meals, she taught me how to cook and bake. I love my wholesome up bringing. It has made me into who I am today. Here is a quick brief history of my story:
When I moved out on my own at 18, I began to take care of myself. In the summer before I turned 19, I got sick. I slept all the time. I was severely dizzy and lightheaded. I was living in a 4 plex house on Linwood ave. The bathtub would sink down when you got in it, and it had orange bathroom counter tops. I remember eating lots of macaroni and cheese and top roman  I went to my regular MD and told them how I was feeling, they took some blood and told me I was fine and sent me on my way. I told my dad how I was feeling and he sent me to see his Naturopathic Dr.  This doctor used muscle testing and found I was anemic. I left with iron, folic acid, and B12 shot in the ass, because I deserved it. Within days I was feeling better. I saw the Naturopathic on and off for a couple of years, learning how to take care of my various organ systems. It was like my systems went in order. Started with blood, then my liver, my ovaries, my spleen, my colons, my heart and adrenals. My whole system got a makeover within a 13 year period. I also began working at this Naturopathics office as a massage therapist. I worked there 7 years.While in massage school, I was diagnosised by a Chiropractor with Candida.

Candida albicans is a yeast that occurs naturally in the body. Candida is a single-celled organism, spherical in shape, and capable of rapid multiplication by cell division (similar to the yeast cells that ferment fruit sugars to produce wines, and cereals to raise bread). Candida is a bimorphic organism; that is, it can exist in two forms. One is the spherical cell; the other is the mycelial or thread-like form. Candida albicans belongs to the plant family of fungi. Fungi do not contain chlorophyll and are unable to synthesize their own food in the presence of light and air. They are, therefore, dependent on other living organisms for their food. The organism on which, or with which, they live is known as the host. 

All human beings, young and old, have candida in the gut, where it lives symbiotically on its host. Symbiosis is an association of living things whereby they live in close association for their mutual benefit. In this case, the human host gives warmth, food, and protection; in return, candida, it is believed, produces some B and K vitamins.

Candida has a beneficial action in the gut when kept under control by bacilli and other microorganisms. However, once the balance of bowel flora is disturbed, the yeast proliferates, causing symptoms that range from digestive upsets, lethargy, allergy reactions, and skin complaints through "thrush" infections of the mouth and vaginal tract. Environmental toxins or medication that selectively kills bacilli and non-fungal flora in the body can cause the imbalance that allows for this unwanted excess of yeast.  The symptoms of candidiasis are related to many chronic illnesses. The toxins released by candida affect the whole body. Muscular pain, stiffness and weakness, lack of coordination, headaches, depression, and inability to concentrate, blurred vision, dislike of strong light, intense fatigue, intestinal upsets, acne, hives, nails lifting back, athletes foot, joint pains, and postnasal drip.

Candida changed my life. I had to go on a strict diet that eliminated all white flour, sugar of all kinds, diary,  yeast, preservatives and additives, caffeine and alcohol. I found The Candida Control Cookbook at the local library and ate only from that for about 3 months. All my symptoms cleared up. 
While I was in massage school I attended The American College of Healthcare Science in they're Master Herbalism course. I graduated with that diploma in 2005. In May of 2012 I decided to go back to that school and get my certificate in Holistic Nutrition Consulting. I want to use my experience and knowledge to help my clients learn how to take care of themselves in a holistic way. 

I can provide consultation services to people interested in detoxing, cleanses, nutrition questions, juicing, fasting and show how to prepare and shop for wholesome foods for your family. How to have a holistic pregnancy and baby. Questions on breastfeeding, clothe diapers, and wellness for baby. Herbal infusions and teas. How to harvest, dry and store herbs.

The Holistic Health Practitioner:

1. Recognizes that achieving good health requires a proper diet, fresh clean water, fresh air, sunlight, exercise, and rest.
2. Teaches his or her clients how to achieve and sustain good health on a daily basis with herbs, essential oils, homeopathics, and other natural modalities to supplement their healthy lifestyle.
3. Understands that each client has a physical, mental, and spiritual self, and that good health requires balance in all areas.
4. Recognizes when allopathic health care may be necessary, and is always ready to refer a client to his or her primary care physician for diagnosis and/or treatment.
5. Empowers the client to achieve improved health, both today and for the future, through addressing any imbalances caused by improper nutrition, poor quality sleep, insufficient water, lack of exercise, fresh air, and relaxation.
6. Educates clients to evaluate their lifestyle choices, to isolate and change any potential causes of ill health.

The Holistic Health Practitioner Does Not:

1. Diagnose disease. A holistic health practitioner performs evaluations to determine causes of potential health problems, but they do not diagnose disease. Always refer a client back to his or her licensed physician for a diagnosis.
2. Treat disease. A holistic health practitioner focuses on health and education, not on disease, and empowers clients to take charge of their own good health.
3. Prescribe drugs or pharmaceuticals. Holistic health practitioners teach clients about herbs, essential oils, homeopathic remedies, homeobotanical remedies, flower essences, dietary supplements, and nutrition.
4. Perform Invasive Procedures. Depending on his or her training and licensing, a practitioner may use hands on techniques as part of his or her practice. For example, a practitioner may also be trained as a massage therapist, chiropractor, or osteopath, and use natural health modalities along with that discipline; for example, a massage therapist may use an essential oil blend to complement a massage treatment. Existing health care professionals should check with their licensing bodies regarding incorporating their studies into their existing practice. Holistic health practitioners do not perform any invasive procedures, give injections, or draw blood.

I agree not to represent myself as a licensed medical practitioner and not claim to treat, diagnose, cure, or prescribe unless otherwise so licensed. 

Fawndove O. Brubaker, LMP, MH, CHNC. The Wellness Zone. 108 SE 124th Ave. Vancouver, WA 98684. 503-490-4149. 360-713-7437.

Fawndove Brubaker holds an Associate Degree in Oregon Transfer. A Washington Massage Practitioner License MA# 60242466. A Oregon License Massage Therapist Inactive # 10892. Diploma in Master Herbalist. Certificate in Holistic Nutrition Consultation. 200 hours in Traditional Thai Massage training. 9 years of Massage therapy experience. 9 years in holistic health practices.