White dead nettle plant looks like stinging nettle, but without the sting. The young leaves and white flowers can be used for cooking and eating and are also used in traditional medicine.
I remember I spent most of my summers collecting the white dead nettle flowers to earn some extra cash as these were the most highly priced on the list of herbal plants required by the local pharmaceutical company. Once dried they hardly weigh anything, so I had to work extra hard to collect even a few hundred grams! Since then I always collect some for my winter herbal tea and use the leaves to make spring salads.
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White dead nettle name
White dead nettle is commonly known by its botanical name, Lamium album, and belongs to the plant family Lamiaceae. It is also commonly called white nettle.
Where to find white dead nettle plant in the uk
In the UK, white dead nettle (Lamium album) can grow in a variety of habitats, including open grassland and woodland, usually on moist, fertile soils.
White dead nettle flowering season
The white dead-nettle flowers mainly from March to late summer in Britain and Ireland. In very mild winters, flowers can persist right through to the following spring.
What to pick from white dead nettle
You can pick both the leaves and flowers. The young leaves of the white dead nettle, for example, can be eaten raw in salads, used in pestos, or cooked similarly to spinach. The flowers can also be consumed, add to salads or dry and make into herbal tea. You can just pick the white flowers and suck the sweet nectar from the bottom of the flower – it taste like honey.
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How to identify white dead nettle
- Flowers: Distinctive white flowers with a large hood and a flat lower lip for insects to land on (stinging nettles don’t have white flowers)
- Leaves: Nettle-like in appearance, but unlike stinging nettles, they do not sting. The leaves are stalkless, opposite, arrow-shaped, pointed, and toothed.
- Stem: The stem is ascending, unbranched, square in cross-section (four-edged), and soft-haired.
- Height: It typically grows to a height of 20–80 cm (8–32 inches).
How to use white dead nettle in cooking
- Salads: Young, tender leaves can be added raw to salads. The flowers can also be used to add colour and a mild sweet flavour.
- Teas: the leaves can be dried and used to make herbal teas. The white flowers can be collected too, dried and add to herbal teas.
- Soups and Stews: Leaves can be cooked and added to soups and stews, much like spinach or other leafy greens.
- Pestos: The leaves can be blended into pesto recipes for a unique flavour.
- Sautéed or Stir-Fried: The leaves can be gently sautéed or stir-fried with other vegetables and added to dishes like pasta, omelets, or casseroles.
- Syrups: Create a simple syrup infused with the flowers for use to make drinks or desserts.
How to safely forage for white dead nettle
Choose areas away from roadsides, industrial sites, and agricultural fields to avoid plants that may have been exposed to pollutants, pesticides, or herbicides. The white flowers especially are very easily polluted and unlike the leaves, can’t be washed without loosing their nectar.
Take only what you need, and be mindful not to overharvest. Leave plenty of white dead nettle plants behind for regeneration and for wildlife. Harvest in a way that allows the plant to continue growing, such as by snipping off the top third of the plant or just taking a few leaves and flowers from each plant.
After harvesting, gently shake the plants to dislodge any dirt or insects. At home, rinse the leaves thoroughly under cool water before using. The white flowers are better not washed and I usually find that if you leave them in the basket any insects just crawl out of them, so you don’t need to worry about finding some in your tea!
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How to use white dead nettle as a herb
White dead nettle is traditionally used in herbal medicine to deal with mild inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, soothe sore throats. It can also be used as an astringent, diuretic and to help with menstrual disorders. It has also been used for its sedative effects and for treating skin conditions like eczema.
The difference between white dead nettle and purple dead nettle
White dead nettle (Lamium album) and purple dead nettle (Lamium purpureum) are distinct species, though they share some similarities. The primary differences lie in their appearance:
- Flower Color: White dead nettle has white flowers, while purple dead nettle has purple to pink flowers.
- Leaf Color: Purple dead nettle often has a purple tinge on the top leaves, especially in the cold, whereas white dead nettle typically has green leaves.
- Growth Habit: White dead nettle tends to grow taller and more upright, while purple dead nettle is often shorter and can have a more sprawling habit.
Both plants are edible and have been used in traditional medicine. The young leaves and flowers can be eaten raw in salads, or the leaves can be cooked and used similarly to spinach.
This blog post was originally written on 13 February 2024 and last updated on 13 February 2024
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