Low growing nettle along the Wakarusa

Brushing this plant can give you a painful sting, but don't let that put you off. It is one of the most useful and nutritious wild plants you can find in the woods. That's right! You can eat stinging nettle. The trick is to get rid of the little stinging hairs found on the underside of its leaves and along its stem. In the field you can do this just by picking a leaf from the top, folding it over a few times and crushing it. Once it's good and crushed, you are safe to pop it in your mouth. All yum, and no sting.

Don't fancy eating it raw? You can get rid of the stinging hairs by cooking it too. Toss it in with your morning eggs, or cook it basically like you would spinach. This is one healthful herb.

You can make a healthful infusion using dried nettle leaves. An infusion is like a very strong and well steeped tea. The tonic qualities of the nettle are especially beneficial to women.