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First Published in Foxprint, September, 1996
(Editor's note: Eileen's articles were a feature for years in the early Foxprint newsletter. It was called the "Wise Woman Column," and thanks to Eileen, we will be reprinting updated versions of her articles. I hope you enjoy her plant quiz.)
ARE YOU PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION?
Pay attention as you first set foot in the lush green forest. Take a deep breath. Can you smell it? The rich scent of the earth? Can you smell the combination of green, wind, sun and rain? Remember to pay attention.
There is one green ally in the forest that is one of the first herbs to greet you in the spring. She loves moist rich soil, especially under maple trees where the blanket of decayed leaves covers the ground. Over the winter the nitrogen rich leaves have fertilized the soil so this lovely green lady can emerge again. She not only lives under maples but in meadows, disturbed habitats, thickets and open forests.
She lines the trail where I frequently walk. At this time of year she is taller than I and her leaves are the size of my out-stretched palm. She gently bows in the wind and soon will let the wind carry her tiny seeds to a secret moist place in the earth. She is like a guardian of the thicket. People dare not tread where she is standing tall. But if you pay attention, respect her and give her her space, she will share her special gifts.
This green friend is useful in countless ways. In the spring her tender shoots are prime for picking. She will let you know how to pick her in the most beneficial manner. There is a place on her stem that snaps very easily when you are gentle and receiving.
If you try to snap the stem in the wrong place, she will not give herself to you and you will end up pulling her up exposing her rhizome. You must always pay attention. By summer the male and female flowers are showing in her 'armpits', or axils to the botanist. Most people wouldn't think she has beautiful flowers but how can we judge the inner power and beauty by the simpleness of her exterior design?
In the fall, she is a golden weaver. She produces the toughest of fibers that the native peoples used to make fish-nets and snares. She happens to be 50 times stronger that cotton. When the rains come, she starts to break down her structure and returns once again to the earth and gives back nutrients and minerals that she once offered to her human family.
Urtica demands your close attention. When picked or harvested with respect, she gives herself freely but when one forgets she can sting a reminder that is hard to forget. She is powerful. She is nutritious. She offers powerful medicine. She is high in protein, Vitamin A & D, iron, sodium and potassium.
She can heal damaged tissues and when used every day she becomes a gentle nourishing friend. She can help strengthen kidneys, adrenals, lungs, intestines and arteries. She also has a way with relieving and preventing asthma. With continued use, the body gradually moves toward optimum functioning.
She works very well on the outside of the body too. She makes hair gleam and skin supple. It is said she can even stimulate the scalp to encourage new hair growth. And she has a unique way to help arthritis and rheumatism. It is said that by rubbing her on the skin on the affected joints, the surface blood vessels dilate and bring more blood to the surface to help in circulation.
Pay attention! Most people are surprised when her chemical touches the skin and it begins to itch and redden. For those not used to her energy, one can rub either plantain or young bracken firm shoots onto the area to lessen the sting which she can produce, using the same chemical which ants use to protect themselves.
Have you paid attention?
Urtica dioica - Stinging Nettle. An ally.
She wants to be your friend. And as in all friendships, listening is essential. Listen well—she has so much to offer.
Eileen VanBronkhorst is a practitioner of the Wise Woman Tradition. She is a homeschooling mom, an herbalist, gardener, naturalist, tracker, spinner, weaver and I am sure I am leaving out a few of her talents. :) THANKS Eileen!
How did you do on the plant quiz? The Kamana Naturalist Training Program is a great way to learn the plants of your area. You'll pass the plant quiz with flying colors!
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