09/04/2026
Beautiful wild green find: Purple Dead Nettle ‘Lamium purpureum’
🌿 Mint family; appears in early spring from March till October producing earliest flowers for bees and other pollinators
🌿 it is slightly astringent, drying, hot and has diuretic properties
🌿 in folk medicine it is used as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti microbial and antispasmodic
🌿 fresh leaves have been used topically to soothe inflammatory skin problems, swell joints, warts, dandruff, hair loss, and rheumatoid conditions
🌿 non - stinging nettle is considered a base component for some vegeterian dishes and salads for ex. for making a traditional rice porridge in Japan also called ‘seven spring herb’
🌿 Lamium can prevent musculoskeletal and menstrual disorders, and improves fat metabolism
🌿 aerial and flowering parts are used to treat variety of renal issues, including kidney stones
🌿 also used in treating hypertension, depression, paralysis, trauma, hemorrhage and some gynaecological disorders (vaginal and cervical inflammation)
🌿 in ancient herbal texts such as ‘The Herball’ by John Gerard in 1597 he wrote a phrase “To make make the heart merry, to make a good colour in the face and to refresh the vital spirits” is how the plant is known for enhancing mood and vigour
What is your favourite wild spring green?
journey 🌱