Eating Stinging Nettles

[Blueborn]

Has anyone here experience with stinging nettles as food?
I've recently started to take them into my diet, as they are supposed to be very healthy, but now I've got some hay fever reactions from it (irritated nose and eyes). I only gather the top of the plant, avoid the ones who are already in flower, and put them into the mixer with fruits and a bit of water. Is there maybe anything else I should be aware of?

 

[Lea]

Hahaha, are you serious? I guess it would be ok if you juiced it in a juicer, I only make tea from nettles though.

 

[Blueborn]

Yeah, it seems kinda weird at first, got quite some looks when people saw me gathering them
Except that and their burning hairs (which can be made harmless) there is no reason not to eat them though, they have lots of vitamins, calcium and e.g. blood cleansing effects. They haven't me done any bad so far, I have more energy and feel more comfortable in general. The question is only if that's from the nettles or from otherwise wrong nutrition...

 

[mismeek]

ehh...I like to try new foods, but I don't think I would want to eat something that has the word "stinging" in its name.. lol What do they taste like?

 

[Blueborn]

ehh...I like to try new foods, but I don't think I would want to eat something that has the word "stinging" in its name.. lol What do they taste like?

Many compare them to spinach if cooked.
In raw condition the taste is not really bad, but kinda obtrusive, a bit too much like "nature", if you know what I mean. Well, I mix them with bananas and other fruits, that makes it milder and creamier, while still maintaining a bit of the rawness. The whole smoothie then feels like the natural force combined, it's like you exactly know for what you're drinking it lol.

 

[mismeek]

is it like Kale?

 

[kihira]

As it says in this, I would be careful to process them by cooking or soaking etc to neutralise the sting
Stinging Nettles | Eat The Weeds and other things, too

 

[cowboyup]

There were 2 times I used stinging nettles.
1. Tea (healthy, I hear)
2. I'd rather not discuss. :question:

 

[Pacific_Loner]

Aren't you supposed to boil it to get rid of the sting or something?

 

[Blueborn]

The stings can be easily neutralized by soaking and squeezing/dispersing them with gloves and a rolling pin. I do it a bit more extensively to be on the safe side, about 2 minutes at all. I also recommend to take as young plants as possible, be a bit careful with older ones by taking only the top of these, they are not that compliant for the digestion from my own experience.
Thanks for the link Foca btw, the comments are an interesting read.

is it like Kale?

Yes, probably in that direction, haven't tasted raw kale yet, though.