What is Purple Dead Nettle?

Purple dead nettle (Lamium purpureum) is a small plant known for its reddish-purple leaves with an oval, jagged shape and a squarish appearance. Often mistaken for its stinging cousin “henbit”. This dead nettle is part of the mint family, and unlike nettles that sting, it is completely safe to eat when freshly plucked.

Also, read my guide on:

Beautiful Herbs with Purple Flowers for Your Garden!

While this wonder plant might seem like just a weed, its benefits are numerous. It’s high in Vitamin C, iron, and fiber, and the seeds contain antioxidants, making it a valuable addition to foraging. Although invasive, purple archangel can be a healthy and nutritious addition to your diet.

Where & When to Forage for Purple Dead Nettle

It typically blooms in spring, often emerging through the melting spring snow. It can grow in moist soil in sunny spots or areas with previously tilled ground.

This plant is well-suited for well-draining soil and often serves as a ground cover. Purple dead nettle is a short squatty plant, typically ranging from 3-8 inches in height and 2-5 inches in width.

Though it’s a member of the mint family, it can spread like wildfire and is invasive, which makes it perfect for harvesting in your garden or container. Best for foraging, these plants are wild edibles and have medicinal uses.

Remember that it can be easily foraged during spring and summer, offering a nutritious and flavorful addition to your diet.

How to Identify Purple Dead Nettle

Purple dead nettle is a low-growing plant, typically reaching 8-10 inches tall, with distinctive square stems and spade-shaped leaves. The purple tops of the leaves are its most notable feature, often appearing along with green leaves that may turn more purple if the soil quality is lacking in phosphorus. At the same time, it shares some similarities with its lookalike, henbit. Unlike stinging nettle, it is easily distinguishable due to its purple leaves and lack of stinging properties.

The plant’s true nettles might confuse some, but the differences are clear once you observe its unique appearance. While the nettles on other plants can sting, purple dead nettles are completely safe to eat. Its purple flowers often grow at the top of the plant, and when compared with other green leaves, you’ll quickly identify it as a true nettle with no sting. This plant is edible and a wild edible commonly foraged for its nutritious benefits.

This easy-to-identify plant can be found in gardens and fields, making it a great choice for foraging. It’s also important to note that purple dead nettle grows in various soil types and can spread quickly in places with low phosphorus, which results in more purple leaves. Understanding these simple traits can help you spot this edible and medicinal plant wherever you go.

How to Harvest Purple Dead Nettle

When foraging for purple dead nettle, the first step is to collect the plant by gently snipping stems about ½ inch from the ground. This allows you to harvest the plant without disturbing the roots, which reproduce by spreading through the roots. Once you have cut the stems, you can shake the plant to remove any dirt or bugs clinging to it. Use a collection container that is easy to carry and will hold the plant without crushing it.

After collecting, it’s important to rinse the dead nettle with cool water to clean off any remaining dirt or pests. Be careful not to soak it too long, which could cause the plant to turn mush, affecting the flavor and texture. Once cleaned, you can use it fresh or leave it to dry for future use. Since this plant doesn’t need to be handled like mushrooms that require caution with spores, it’s a relatively easy foraging experience.

To preserve it, ensure the leaves are properly rinsed and dry in a cool, airy spot. This way, you can enjoy your purple dead nettle for later use without losing its mint-like benefits.

What can purple dead nettle be used for?

Edible Uses

Purple deadnettle is not just a wild edible green; it’s considered a superfood packed with beneficial nutrients. The leaves are completely edible, and the purple tops taste slightly sweet. The plant’s fuzzy texture makes it a great addition to your diet, either used as an herb to garnish dishes or mixed into recipes. You can use it in various dishes, such as wild greens pesto, soups, salads, and even smoothies, making it easy to add a healthy green leafy vegetable to your meals.

The entire plant is edible, but many people prefer to pinch off the tops and leave the stem. These plants are versatile and can be used anywhere you use spinach or other leafy green herbs, like in a quiche or soup. Not only is it perfect for fresh meals, but you can also blanch and freeze the leaves for future use, preserving them in portions to enjoy all year long. Purple dead nettle is a great way to get creative with backyard weeds that offer nutritional value while supporting a healthy lifestyle.

In addition to its culinary uses, purple deadnettle is believed to have some medicinal benefits, with properties that may support your well-being. Its nutrient-rich leaves, full of vitamins and minerals, can promote good health when used regularly in your diet.

Medicinal Uses

Purple dead nettle is a nutritious wild edible and offers various medicinal benefits. Its leaves are packed with properties that make it an excellent addition to herbal remedies. Known for its astringent, diuretic, and diaphoretic qualities, it is a natural choice for treating minor ailments. You can use the leaves to make a poultice for external wounds and cuts, similar to how you would use yarrow or plantain. This plant is often included in homemade herbal salves to soothe and heal the skin.

Besides external uses, it can be consumed as an infusion or tea made from fresh or dried plant material. This herbal brew can have a laxative effect, so it’s best used in moderation. Additionally, you can make a tincture from purple dead nettle, following a similar process to preparing a lemon balm tincture. Known to benefit the kidneys, this herb may even help with seasonal allergies, relieving allergy symptoms for many who struggle during high pollen seasons.

Its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties have proven helpful in supporting general wellness. That makes it a valuable herb for foragers seeking natural remedies.

Other Uses

Purple dead nettle isn’t just a wild edible and medicinal herb; it also serves a variety of other practical uses. It’s an excellent nutritious food for chickens, often used with weeds like henbit and chickweed. When I fed it to my young chicks, they went absolutely bonkers for it! Beyond feeding animals, purple dead nettle is also an important plant species for bees. It prefers mild climates and is one of the first plants to flower in spring, often continuing to bloom through winter in more temperate areas, making it an excellent bee forage.

Another fascinating use for this weed is in the realm of natural crafts. This plant can make a natural dye for wool and yarn, adding a unique touch to handmade textiles. Its versatility in different aspects of life, from feeding livestock to supporting pollinators and crafting, highlights how valuable this plant can be in various ways.

Final Observations

Purple dead nettle (Lamium purpureum) is more than a common weed. Its nutritional benefits, medicinal uses, and versatility make it a valuable addition to any forager’s collection. This plant is both practical and beneficial, from its high levels of Vitamin C, iron, and fiber to its potential in herbal remedies. Whether used in wild greens pesto, as a natural herbal remedy, or even in creating a natural dye, purple dead nettle showcases its many qualities. It may be invasive in some areas, but its wide range of uses makes it a unique and useful plant to have on hand for health, culinary, and even craft purposes.

FAQs

Q- How do you harvest purple dead nettle seeds?

To harvest purple dead nettle seeds, wait until the plant has finished flowering. The seeds will be inside the small, berry-like fruits. Gently collect the fruits when they are fully ripe and dry them out before use.

Q- Is purple dead nettle poisonous to humans?

No, it is not poisonous to humans. It is safe to eat and can be foraged and consumed fresh or dried.

Q- How do you infuse purple dead nettle?

To infuse purple dead nettle, use fresh or dried plant material. Place the leaves in hot water for several minutes to create a soothing herbal tea. You can add it to other infusions for extra flavor and health benefits.

Q- What is deadnettle good for?

Purple dead nettle is known for its medicinal benefits, which are anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal. It is also good for making poultices for external wounds and is used in teas for its laxative effects and kidney support.

Q- How to eat purple dead nettle?

You can eat purple dead nettle by adding it to salads, soups, and smoothies or using it as a garnish. The leaves are edible, and the purple tops have a slightly sweet flavor, making them a versatile addition to many dishes.