Purple Deadnettle

I am so excited! A non-stinging nettle! After forking out loads and loads of the invasive weed that crept over the entire surface of our garden rows, I've finally identified it as purple deadnettle (Lamium perpureum). The identification part is satisfying enough, but on top of that, it's edible, medicinal, and nutritious!

Purple deadnettle can be identified by it's square-shaped stem (indicating its membership in the mint family) and heart-shaped hairy leaves that extend from short petioles. The leaves towards the top tend to have a reddish tint, and the flowers are purple. It is a favorite of bees and butterflies (as a testament to this, I saw countless honeybees dining on this mystery weed just last week!). At first I thought its other name, Purple (or red) Archangel was way cooler, but apparently it's called "dead" because it won't sting you, like other nettles will!

This plant comes out in early spring, and is often the first in the garden. Gather aerial parts when flowers are in bloom. The entire plant is edible, and can be dried for later use. Contains iron, fiber, flavonoids (quercetin and vitamin C), and anti-oxidants.

Boil for 20-30 minutes to prepare as a "pot-herb." Can be treated like spinach, or included raw in salads.

Bruise leaves and apply topically to stop bleeding. Use as a tea to induce perspiration and act on kidneys. Good for chills. It is also anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial. Some use it to control or reduce allergies.

Resources
http://www.naturesherbal.com/Purple_Dead_Nettle.htm
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/n/nettle03.html#pur
http://earthenstewards.wordpress.com/2012/02/07/lamium-purpureum-purple-dead-nettle-herbal-ally/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/485502-purple-dead-nettle-and-allergies/#ixzz1ljFKODWC