The Sting and the Strength

The sun had just dried the morning dew when Jonah met his cousin Maya at the edge of the field behind their grandparents' cottage. They were both visiting for the weekend — a brief escape from emails, meetings, and city noise.

“Ready for a forage walk?” Maya asked, passing Jonah a pair of thick gardening gloves.

“Depends,” he said, eyeing the gloves. “What are we picking that bites?”

“Nettle,” she grinned. “It stings, but it’s worth it.”

They walked along a shaded path framed by birch and wild rose, stopping beside a patch of tall, jagged-leafed plants topped with clusters of tiny green flowers. Maya pointed to them with care.

“Stinging nettle. Don’t touch bare-handed — the hairs on the leaves and stems can irritate the skin. But once you cook or dry them, they lose the sting.”

Jonah knelt cautiously, gloved hands reaching for the top few inches of each plant. “You just… snip?”

“Yep. Young tops are best. That’s where the nutrition is.”

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Back at the house, the two cousins rinsed the nettles thoroughly. Maya spread some out on a clean towel to dry for tea, while Jonah added a few leaves to a soup pot for dinner.

Later, they prepared a fresh batch for tea. Maya wore gloves again while tearing the wilted leaves into an infuser basket.

“It’s packed with iron, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C… basically a green multivitamin,” she said, pouring hot water over the leaves. “Also great for seasonal allergies and inflammation.”

Jonah raised a brow as he took a sip. “I expected it to taste like spinach. But this is… earthy. Smooth.”

“Good for your kidneys and joints too,” Maya said. “It’s an ancient medicine.”

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🌿 Nettle Tea Facts

• Scientific name: Urtica dioica

• Benefits:

  • High in iron, magnesium, calcium, and vitamins A & C

  • Supports detoxification, kidney and liver health

  • Can reduce joint pain and seasonal allergies

  • Acts as a mild diuretic

• Harvesting:

  • Wear gloves!

  • Pick in early spring to midsummer — young tops are best

  • Avoid flowering plants — they’re more fibrous and harsh

• Brewing:

  • Use 1 tablespoon dried (or 2 fresh) per cup

  • Steep for 7–10 minutes covered

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⚠️ Side Effects and Cautions

• Fresh nettles can sting skin if not handled with gloves.

• May interact with diuretics, blood pressure meds, or diabetes medications.

• Use caution during pregnancy — may stimulate uterine contractions in large amounts.

• Diuretic properties may increase urination.

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That night, the two sat outside under the stars, their mugs warm in their hands.

“Who knew a plant that stings could be this soothing?” Jonah said.

Maya smiled. “Nature just asks us to pay attention. The sting is just part of the lesson.”