Nettle Power

Nettle Power is a quick read and yet so very informative and enjoyable!

Before this book, all I knew about nettles, was that dock leaves really do not help the stings when you fall in a patch of nettles in shorts and tee. (Because you did not watch where you were going) Also, that it is used for a very earthy tasting tea. Now we have my very basic knowledge (and painful experience) of nettles out of the way, on to the book review!

First impressions, a well laid out and aesthetically pleasing book with lovely illustrations. The mix between traditional and modern illustration reflects historical and modern uses of the plant so I do hope the design remains

We're taken through the nettle's botanical information and a lovely quote by Victor Hugo. The nick names had me chuckling I must say! Also interesting were the names for nettles in different languages

Now, I would never have thought that a nettle sting could have health benefits, by eckers the memories of that itch each time I was running through the woods prevails to this day! Even when it rained you were not safe from them! The book explains how the nettle stings, and after a number of times, encourages urtication, which can relieve inflammation.

The book continues through remedies for stings, the history and folklore, growing, foraging, harvesting and preserving.

This is a lovely book and an eye opener!

Thank you to Negalley, Brigitte Mars and Storey Publishing for the ARC of this delightfully informative book. My Review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

What a beautiful tribute to an amazing plant!

I have been interested in the use of nettles for years, and this book is a wonderful introduction and deep dive into this plant. It grows wild on my farm, so I have a ready source of it, but I don't feel I'm using it as much as I could. Reading this book has reminded me how great fresh nettles are as an early spring foraged food source (and there are lots of great vegetarian recipes to try in this book) and as a dried tea.

In addition to culinary uses, Brigitte Mars provides lots of information about the plant, its history and traditional uses, medicinal uses, and fun facts. The book is full of gorgeous bright illustrations as well.

I recommend it for anyone interested in herbalism, foraging, and general plant knowledge!

Thank you to Netgalley and Storey publishing for the advance read e-copy. I plan to add the hard cover to my shelves when it comes out!

First, I’ll have to say that what intrigued me to review this book was the cover & the title.

I’ve heard of the nettle plant and have had different teas or body care products that used nettle in some way, but I’ve never had an in depth break down of the nettle plant like I was able to read in this book.


Even the tidbit about how if you’re pricked by this plan and get some type of rash from it, there’s still health benefits that you’ll gain from that prick!! Who would have known!?

I would def recommend this book to anyone studying herbs or working with plant medicine.


I volunteered to read this ARC through NetGalley.

The cuteness of the cover pulls you in, but the wealth of knowledge keeps you reading. Nettle Power is all about one of the most incredible plants - Nettle!

I had no idea how resilient Nettle is or how many uses it has. At home, nettle tea has always been a go to, so I figured learning more about nettle would be helpful. Little did I know nettle has SO many more uses! Don’t let its notorious sting turn you away. From herbal remedies, beauty products (like the ancients!) and cooking recipes, nettle is so versatile. I loved learning about the benefits for allergies and inflammation. It’s great to find alternatives to OTC medicines. I look forward to planting some nettle seeds and having some Nettle Power of my own this spring!

Thank you to Storey Publishing, Storey Publishing, LLC, and NetGalley for an ARC of this beautiful book.

Absolutely delightful! Accessible, inviting writing paired with playful and colourful illustrations throughout makes this book both informative and joyful to read. I have some experience in herbalism, foraging, and gardening, but still learned helpful new information on wildcrafting with nettle.

A really comprehensive overview of the power of the nettle plant. I learnt a lot and the formatting is beautiful.

I did feel, by the end, that the author uses nettles as 'a hammer for all problems' but the title and cover don't mislead you into thinking you will find anything different!

Nettle Power by Brigitte Mars did not disappoint with the background of nettle history, uses, remedies, cautions, and recipes. This was more of a comprehensive guide than I thought it would be in a good way. Appreciate the effort put into this to break apart so many concepts into digestible portions to retain. If you're looking at how nettle can help your wellness journey this book is wonderful to support your journey.

-Background on Nettle
-How to grow and harvest Nettle
-Medicinal Properties
-Making and using Nettle Medicine
-Cosmetic Uses
-Ways to cook with Nettle

There is a lot of information that I think only adds to the value of looking back on this book. I did take my time with this book as I wanted to absorb the information and come back to it which I appreciate. This would be wonderful to have on hand in your home or kitchen. The recipes for medicinal and cooking were very simple to follow along with. Appreciate the graphics as well - the little touches are great.

Big thanks to Netgalley, Brigitte Mars, and Storey Publishing for the ARC.

This is a wonderful and thorough book written by an experienced herbalist. It shares the history, characteristics and uses of nettle along with an extensive set of recipes. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in edible or medicinal wild plants.

Thank you for letting me view an ARC of this book. The artwork was absolutely beautiful! This is a nice reference for recipes, health and holistic uses for nettle. I've been a fan of this plant for a while now, and I really appreciate this book showcasing it's benefits!

I had no idea there were so many uses for nettles! I found this book contained many easy recipes to use nettles. I would recommend this book, especially to a forager who uses naturally collected foods from the environment, whether for culinary or medicinal uses. I would like to add a copy to my personal library!

I really hadn't known much about nettles except for what I had heard in folktales (remember the princess who had to make nettle sweaters for her brothers?), but I was pleasantly surprised to learn so much about nettles. I enjoyed the illustrations immensely and I found this book to be laid out in a useful way that made finding information easy to do. I plan to purchase this book in the future and gift to family members. 4.5/5

Nettle Power was a really fabulous book that made me appreciate nettles more. My husband loves nettles and preaches their positivity, but I wasn't convinced until I read this book. I do appreciate their versatility, and their healing properties. I will definitely appreciate them more, even if they sting me when I mow the lawn.

Nettles are one of the plants that can be a bane to hikers who stumble into a patch unaware! You certainly learn a lot about them very quickly!

This book details the many other uses for nettles, interspersed with some nice illustrations. For example, did you know that the nettle's sting can actually be used in some healing remedies? I had no idea. Generally, I avoid plants that cause pain like nettles do! But, there seem to be some health benefits from this treatment for certain conditions, something I had not thought about before learning it in this book.

There are recipes for making various concoctions with nettle, for many purposes. You can cook with it, drink it in tea, make smoothies, boil it, use it raw, and so much more. The book goes deeply into the plant itself, where it grows, how to harvest it, and how to use it. You can even grown your own crop of nettles in the garden so you always have some on hand.

The whimsical illustrations complement the text. The graphics are colorful and lively. Many feature nettle leaves.

When I worked in parks many years ago, a fellow naturalist and I experimented with nettle, finding that you can eat it raw under certain conditions. The author goes into that in this book too. There are so many benefits to using nettle that they can't all be listed here. You'll have to get this book and read it to find out. I thoroughly enjoyed learning to many amazing facts about this plant.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. I highly recommend this book for foragers, botanists, gardeners, and anyone who loves plants and plant lore!

From Nuisance to Nutrient: a Look at Nettles

This book transformed my perception of nettles! It goes beyond simply identifying them as a bothersome weed and dives deep into their surprising benefits.

One of the most valuable takeaways for me was learning how to use nettles as a substitute for spinach in recipes. This not only adds a nutritional boost to dishes but also provides a free, readily available ingredient.

The book even explores the potential of nettles in managing diabetes, which was a fascinating aspect I hadn't considered before.

Overall, this book is a great resource for anyone interested in learning more about the hidden potential of nettles.

Here's what I liked:

Practical uses for nettles in the kitchen
Exploration of potential health benefits
Tips on harvesting and how to make it safe to eat (spoiler alert - this is very easy!)

Nettles

This book is fab.
It covers so much.

Who would have thought that nettles are so useful?!

Examples of what’s in this lovely bright coloured well written and well presented book:

The benefits of being stung by nettles.
Yes, apparently there are benefits to this!

There are fabulous recipes.

How nettles have been used in years gone by.

How to store nettles.
Including Dehydrating, freezing and canning.

How to use nettles as a food preservative

Nettles remedies. Including first aid. Blood sugar disorders, respiratory health

The list goes on!

Fabulous.
Get it!

Book Review: Nettle Power: Forage, Feast & Nourish Yourself with This Remarkable Healing Plant

Rating: 5 Stars

I recently had the pleasure of reviewing "Nettle Power by Brigitte Mars", it was nothing short of a revelation! I’ve always been a bit curious about foraging and herbalism, but this book opened my eyes to the incredible world of nettles—who knew these prickly plants could be so versatile and beneficial?

In Nettle Power, Brigitte Mars presents a vibrant and accessible guide to the healing and culinary uses of nettle. This protein-packed wild plant has a rich history of usage among both European and Native American herbalists. The book details how nettles can soothe skin conditions, strengthen bones, boost the immune system, and even help lactating mothers increase milk production. It’s astonishing to think that such a seemingly simple plant can offer so many health benefits!

What I found particularly engaging was how Mars not only delves into the plant's medicinal properties but also provides a plethora of delicious recipes. From using the nutrient-dense nettle leaves as a substitute for spinach in salads to crafting teas, tinctures, and elixirs, the culinary possibilities are endless! The sting of nettles is easily neutralized by blanching, making them a safe and tasty addition to various dishes.

The layout of the book is fantastic—it's colorful and filled with gorgeous illustrations that bring each page to life. I loved how Mars included interesting historical tidbits and traditional uses alongside fun facts about nettles. It makes for not just a practical guide but also an enjoyable read that you can’t help but browse through again and again.

In summary, Nettle Power is a wonderful introduction and deep dive into the world of nettles. Whether you're an experienced forager, a budding herbalist, or simply someone interested in gardening and natural health, this book is a treasure trove of knowledge. If you’re looking to expand your culinary repertoire while harnessing the incredible healing properties of nature, I highly recommend giving this book a read. Trust me—you’ll never look at nettles the same way again!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️