Purple Dead Nettle Uses- Weed or Powerful Ally?

Purple dead nettle (or red dead nettle), referred to by its Latin name, Lamium purpureum is an edible “weed.” It is a weed that we all have seen without actually seeing it. There is a significant chance purple dead nettle is growing in your backyard as we speak. It’s all over mine!

In Greek, Lamium purpureum translates to “the devouring purple monster.” This is likely due to the way it takes over fields, meadows, and generally any disrupted soil. For a long time, I got it confused with clover due to the color of the flowers and its prolific ability to spread. It looks nothing like clover.

It is one of the first plants to come up in spring and is often seen blooming in January. Purple dead nettle is more than a run-of-the-mill garden weed. It has several uses and benefits including nutritional, medicinal, and environmental. It’s a powerhouse of a “weed. And upon further inspection requires harvesting rather than blind eradication.

Is purple dead nettle native to the U.S?

The short answer is no. Purple dead nettle is native to Europe and Asia. Introduced to North America so long ago that it grows throughout the continent.

So, purple dead nettle is invasive?

Well, yes, but it’s been here so long it would be hard to get rid of it so we might as well embrace it for its benefits.

Why is it called dead nettle?

Dead nettle comes from the idea that some people think it resembles stinging nettle, a plant that does sting you. Purple dead nettle has no stinging qualities, hence the name “dead” nettle.

How to Identify Purple Deadnettle?

Purple dead nettle is by far one of the easiest plants to identify. Its only look-alike is henbit, another tasty “weed.” While henbit and purple dead nettle are close relatives, they are easy to tell apart.

As a member of the mint family, purple dead nettle has the traditional four-sided stem. It grows in big patches and spreads all over. Like mint, it reproduces from the roots.

The leaves of purple dead nettle are triangular and attach to the stalk at the leaf blade stem. Leaves can be purple or red, are hairy, and crowded around the stem’s axis. Its hairy leaves are deterrents for most insects and animals. These hairs give them a strange texture that makes them pest and disease resistant.

Purple dead nettle is usually a low-growing ground cover. But in great conditions can reach dimensions of up to 12″ tall and 7″ wide. In April you will find it covered in pink tubular-shaped flowers. Sometimes it can bloom as early as January. These flowers last about six weeks and produce seeds that are then replanted. Once it goes to seed it is harder to eat as it becomes tough.

Where does Purple Dead nettle grow?

It is often seen growing along roadsides and ditches. Your best bet for harvesting is your very own backyard. Many people will tell you to be careful when harvesting along roadsides. Pesticides and exhaust can contaminate purple deadnettle. You can also grow it from seed. Gardeners who want to use it as a ground cover or add it to their diet and medicine cabinet sometimes do this.

Purple dead nettle prefers full sun but can tolerate light shade. It enjoys fertile soil.

How do you harvest purple dead nettle?

• Snip stems 1/2″ above the ground- the entire plant can is edible but, once it goes to seed, the stems can be too tough. Get yourself a basket or foraging bag to make carrying your harvest easier.
• Rinse with cool water before use- do not soak too long as this ruins them.
• To dry- Remove the leaves and lay flat on a baking sheet for 8-10 hours at 175 in the oven. If you have a dehydrator, use it on low for 6-8 hours.

What are the benefits of Purple Dead nettle?

• It is a nutritious superfood- And you thought you had to travel to the Rainforest for superfoods, nope!
• High in immune-boosting flavonoids
• High in Vitamin C, Iron, and Fiber.
• The seeds contain high amounts of antioxidant-rich oil.
• Helps with seasonal allergies- Protects allergy sufferers from secondary infections.
• Good for kidney function.
• Anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal.
• Good cover crop.
• It’s good for the bees! All types of bees love purple dead nettle flowers for their pollen and nectar. These flowers are vital to all kinds of bees. This includes bumblebees, honey bees, and digger (ground nesting) bees. By allowing purple dead nettle to grow in your backyard you can do your part to save the bees, YES!
• Chickens love it and it provides them many nutritional benefits.
• It has no toxic look-a-likes.

Purple Dead Nettle Medicinal Uses

• • Styptic- Fresh purple dead nettle leaves can stop bleeding when made into a poultice.
  • Seasonal allergy remedy- can help ease allergies.
  • Make into an herbal salve to aid in the healing of minor cuts, scrapes, and bruises.
  • Drink as a tea- You can use dried or fresh leaves for tea. You can also mix in chickweed as a blend to up the benefits.
  • Take as a tincture or infusion. Use amber or dark blue bottles to protect your tincture from the sunlight.
  • Taken in high doses, purple dead nettle becomes a laxative.

Is purple dead nettle edible?

Yes, there are several ways to incorporate purple dead nettle into your diet. The purple tops are sweet and the plant has an earthy flavor.

• Add young leaf shoots to smoothies or salads.
• Use leaves as a garnish in soups, salads, and any other way you would use traditional herbs or greens.
• Use in recipes such as purple dead nettle soup.

Other delicious purple dead nettle recipes

• Purple dead nettle pilaf
• Red dead nettle dolmas
• Red dead nettle with mint, smoked garlic, and butter

To guide you on your culinary journey, you may want to pick up a copy of Foraging and Feasting. This is a wild edibles identification and cookbook with wonderful illustrations of many backyard delicacies.

With all the benefits that purple dead nettle has to offer, I wish I’d learned what it was sooner. We encourage you to discover the wonder weed that is purple dead nettle.

We love hearing from you! Please share your comments, ideas, or foraging journey below.