Meteorological spring is underway even if the calendar still shows that it is winter. My backyard was covered in deep snow and ice two weeks ago and when I went out today I found a treasure trove of spring edibles. Lets talk about Deadnettle.
Deadnettle (Lamium Purpureum) is in the mint family (Lamiaceae) and is one of the first forgeable weeds to pop up in spring. It is easy to identify. by it’s squarish stem typical of mint family, leaves in opposite pairs, slightly hairy (but no sting!) and when mature, the top leaves turn purple -y green to purple-y brown, making it easy to spot from a distance. The flowers are typically purple.
Deadnettle has been traditionally used in a variety of ways but I’m foraging it to help support my seasonal allergies as it has some antihistamine properties and is a natural source of quercetin (a bioflavonoid that helps relieve seasonal allergies) which means I’m definitely going to be adding it to my allergy clearing tea!
Deadnettle is very nutritious. It contains polyphenols that are associated with a broad range of health benefits, especially for the cardiovascular system and the gut microbiome and can be used to make a wild spring pesto along with chickweed, nettle and other wild foragables. After a long winter spent inside with no access to fresh fruits and most vegetables, our ancestors would look forward to replenishing their systems with nutritious greens full of vitamins and minerals in the spring. Nowadays, due to modern farming technics, monoculture, and toxic chemicals I generally think of foraged foods as being more nutritious than anything you can buy at the store, however, this one doesn’t taste fantastic so I’ll be adding it to sauces, smoothies and salads very sparingly. It also can have a mild laxative effect … so, another reason I’ll be using it in small amounts.
Deadnettle has no toxic lookalikes but is often mistaken for Henbit which is fortunately edible and beneficial as well, so, no harm! It should be harvested after the flowers are present as many herbs / “weeds” look similar when they are very young. (Also, I’m not a medical person so always do your research about whether a plant is good choice to try, especially if you are breastfeeding or pregnant. Info posted on this page is for entertainment purposes only.)
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On a practical level, I think it is important to celebrate the living things around you and if you know that your yard is pesticide free, why not give it a try? I’ll be posting on instagram some of the recipes I try with deadnettle. Follow me @rowdyprisoners on instagram or on Facebook @rowdyprisonersherbal
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Thorn and Thistle Apothecary 