As we have been exploring herbal medicine this year, I hope you are having fun mixing and fixing different concoctions in your kitchen. One thing I hope people begin to understand is that herbs not only hold medicine to treat our ills, they are also much more nutrient dense than our conventionally raised crops. By adding herbs to your diet, you can naturally reduce your risk of developing a plethora of ills and increase your overall vitality.

Nettle Colcannon

Colcannon is a rich and satisfying potato dish that originated in Ireland. While this recipe calls for ample butter and cream, you can also make the mashed potatoes according to your favorite recipe. No instant mashed potatoes though.

Ingredients:

• 2-3lbs of your favorite potato cubed - I like Yukon gold or Red personally and I like to leave the skins on

• 1/2 lb fresh nettles stems removed and roughly chopped

• 1 bunch green onions chopped

• 1 stick (1/2 cup/8Tbsp) butter - not margarine

• 1/4 cup heavy cream

• Salt and pepper to taste

• optional 2 cloves diced garlic

Directions:

1. Put your potatoes in a large pot and just cover with water. Cook on medium-high heat until potatoes are easily pierced with a fork.

2. While the potatoes cook, add your nettles, green onions, 2 Tbsp butter, and garlic to a pan and saute until the nettles are tender (about 5 minutes).

3. When potatoes are ready, drain away the water and mash with the heavy cream and remaining butter.

4. Add nettles and remaining vegetables.

5. Season with salt and pepper

6. Enjoy!

Braised Nettle Greens

The easiest way to eat nettles is to simply cook them up in a pot and eat them as you would any other greens. The basic idea is to add liquid and fat to bring out the flavors.

Ingredients:

• Chopped fresh nettles - about 3 cups per serving

• Solid cooking fat 1 Tbsp - butter, tallow, lard, bacon grease, or coconut oil

• Seasonings to taste

Directions:

1. Add fat to a cooking pan and heat until melted.

2. Toss in your nettle greens.

3. Cook stirring frequently until nettles are fully wilted and tender

4. Enjoy

Nettle Vinegar

Herbal vinegars are mineral rich additions to your kitchen and medicine cabinet. They can be taken on their own, or incorporated into salad dressings, marinades, shrubs, and used just as you would any other cooking vinegar.

Ingredients:

• Fresh nettles

• Raw organic apple cider vinegar

Directions:

1. roughly chop your nettles

2. Add nettles to a blender and cover with apple cider vinegar

3. Blend well and add to clean glass jars

4. Close with a non-metal lid or place a square of wax paper between the vinegar and a metal lid

5. Shake as you remember over the next six weeks

6. After six weeks, strain and bottle into clean jars.

7. Use within 12 months

8. As a daily tonic and digestive aid, 1 Tbsp can be added to a small amount of water to drink before meals.

Nourishing Nettle Infusion

This is by far the most common way I incorporate nettles into my diet. Since dried nettles are used, you can enjoy this infusion year-round.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 ounce (by weight) of dried nettles

• 4 cups boiling water

Directions:

1. Add nettles to a 1 quart jar

2. Add hot water to top off the jar

3. Wait a moment and give it a stir to release air bubbles

4. Add enough water to bring the mix back to the top of the jar

5. Close with a 2 part metal lid

6. Allow to sit on the counter for 4-12 hours.

7. Strain

8. Enjoy 1-4 cups cold, hot, or hot with added honey daily