Drying herbs

I picked a bunch of purple deadnettle from the garden rows yesterday to dry out for teas, leaving them sitting in a milk crate in the shade until late afternoon/evening when I put them together in bunches. I know harvesting late morning was key, but I think I probably should have hung them right away. I put some together last night into about 9 pieces a bunch, and hung them in the basement. This morning I strung up the last three bunches I'd done and left sitting on the table overnight. The rest I threw out. If I compost weeds, will the seeds spread in the garden? Maybe not if I get it hot enough?

This was my first drying experience, so we'll see how it goes. I also harvested way too much for me to use (although there is PLENTY left out there). I was going to eat some, but leaving them sitting all day they weren't really fresh anymore. An interesting note, when I was working with the last of the deadnettle this morning, my nose got all runny and sneezy. This made it hard to work, but since I'd been stuffed up on one side since I woke up, it cleared my sinuses right up. It really illustrated for me what Jim always said about "talking" to plants, and getting to know the herbs. Only by working with them can you really come to know them. And these deadnettle were definitely communicating with me!

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