Purple dead nettle! What is it? A member of the mint family, purple dead nettle isn’t actually related to stinging nettles at all and doesn’t have the same sting. That’s where the word “dead” comes in, the sting is dead so-to-speak and they can be handled. As a member of the mint (Lamiaceae) family along with mint, self-heal, sage, basil, lavender, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, and thyme, purple dead nettle is edible both cooked and raw. It can be dried for later use in teas and has been known to help reduce allergic reactions. It is also rich in iron, fibre, anti-oxidants, and vitamin C.

Dead nettle leaves can be added fresh to salads, blended into smoothies, or used dried in a tea blend. (Don’t drink too much though, it can have a laxative effect in large doses!)

It’s flowering everywhere right now and I’ve gathered up some bundles for tea blends.