04/01/2026
Nettles 🌿 aka Stinging Nettle~ urtica dioica
Is one of the first herbs to make acquaintance come spring🕊️ I think if Nettles were a zodiac sign, they’d be Scorpio(; ♏️ & not just cuz they sting! (Scorpio being a sign represented by a scorpion 🦂) There’s this hesitation to work with nettles (I had it!) since they quite literally can sting you just by brushing them. Akin to Scorpio energy, which has such a bad rap- but like Scorpio is associated with confrontation of the darker depths of life, nettles is deeply nourishing, especially in states of depletion & when blood needs building like menstruation or in pregnancy / postpartum.
Before I knew my whole astrology chart, I too was weary of Scorpio energy🥲 (a few unsavory experiences). Come to find I have a lot in my chart!
Comparing an herb to a zodiac sign feels a little silly, but I feel they are kindred ❤️🔥
If you want to start working with nettles, just harvest with gloves, dry or blanch them before using, or let the sting happen! There’s an old Roman practice called urtication which involved wrapping stocks of stinging nettles together & whipping them on arthritic or swollen joints. The result was thought to relieve inflammation & support circulation, easing aches & pains🦋
I find the sting strangely satisfying in small amounts…it tingles after a bit, but I still harvest with gloves so not to make a rash. The other cool part about the sting is it makes it real easy to identify the plant aside from visual observation- an extra form of identification reassurance.
Have you worked with nettles yet? 🌿
