Dead nettles (Lamium spp.) look like stinging nettles before flowering, but they don’t have the sting, hence the dead. Some of the species could be confused with other mint family plants; a common example being henbit and purple dead nettle resembling ground ivy/creeping charlie. It won’t take long in a foraging meme group to find a henbit vs purple dead nettle vs creeping charlie side by side. All three of these lookalikes have a small stature and tiny purple flowers.
None of the Lamium species are native to Ontario. They are naturalized here like dandelions, but will also invasively take over a lawn or flowerbed.
Edible Uses of Dead Nettles
Henbit and purple dead nettle are the most commonly eaten dead nettles. While in the mint family, they don’t taste minty.
All the young aerial parts are edible, but you may want to leave the last few inches of woody stem. The fresh young leaves can be used to make a tea or for a salad, best mixed with other leafy greens. They can also be cooked as a potherb.
Like many mints, dead heading will keep it flourishing.
Medicinal Uses of Dead Nettles
Dead nettle is primarily said to support these body systems:
- Integumentary
- Respiratory
- Reproductive
- Urinary
Medicinal tags include Anti-inflammatory, Astringent, Demulcent, Diuretic, Expectorant and Styptic. See Medicinal tag key for more information.
Common usage includes the whole plant or flowering tops used as an astringent for stopping hemorrhages and treating wounds. And other typical astringent uses like for diarrhea, skin related issues, as a gargle, etc.
And gaining popularity at the moment, purple dead nettle (Lamium purpureum) is used for treating respiratory allergies due to its anti-inflammatory properties and the natural quercetin it contains.
Various dead nettles may also be used for menses issues like abnormal discharge and painful periods. Some respiratory and urinary disorders too. For something that’s probably just plunked itself into your lawn amongst dandelions, it sure has a myriad of uses by herbalists.
White dead nettle (L. album) gets the most attention in my herbals, but purple dead nettle is becoming more popular. And including yellow and white archangel these dead nettles are all fairly similar.
Alternative Uses of Purple Dead Nettle
Purple dead nettle produces a sage green dye when mixed with iron and a mordant.
Growing Lamium SPP.
When growing any mint for food or medicine, containers are always recommended. Mints tendency to take over gardens has made it into gardening memes.
In the Grow Me Instead booklet for South Ontario, Zigzag goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis) is recommended as a native substitute for the yellow archangel/dead nettle pictured on this page. It’s the species that has intentionally made the rounds in landscaping.
WARNINGS
And the Usual Cautions:
1) Most medicinal herbs, if edible, are meant to be eaten in moderation, even sparingly. Some require extra preparation. Tannins are toxic if consumed in excess. Before taking any new supplements, you should consult with a healthcare professional.
2) A vast amount of these herbs are diuretic. (See the Medicinal tags above to check if this featured herb is one of them!) Diuretics are generally safe, but they can be risky for people with other medical conditions or who take certain medications. Please consult your doctor if you have any health conditions.
3) People can be allergic or sensitive to nearly any plant; try new herbs one at a time at your own risk. For instance, saponins commonly cause stomach upset.
4) For serious medicinal use, I must recommend receiving a diagnosis and working with a reputed health care provider. I generally do not post specific treatments and dosages because I think that is best between you and your health care provider, and ideally monitored.
5) Anyone pregnant, nursing, or taking prescription drugs should talk to a health care professional before adding new food items to their diet.
6) Many plants have look-a-likes, and sometimes they are poisonous.
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REFERENCES
My new favourite foraging book is Sam Thayer’s Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants: of Eastern and Central North America (The Sam Thayer’s Field Guides) Paperback – June 1, 2023 and this plant IS featured as one of the edible wild plants in this area. I highly recommend this guide for your bookshelves!
*Sam covers purple dead nettle and henbit in his book!
https://data.canadensys.net/vascan/taxon/1314
A Modern Herbal (Volume 2, I-Z and Indexes)
The Herb Book: The Most Complete Catalog of Herbs Ever Published (Dover Cookbooks)
Field Guide to North American Edible Wild Plants (Out of Print)
Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs
Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: 550 Herbs and Remedies for Common Ailments
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