Creations By C

10/19/2025

08/17/2025

Good stuffs ... and non addicting

04/10/2025

Purple Dead Nettle (Lamium purpureum): Wild Edible, Nutrient-Rich, and Versatile

Purple dead nettle is a common springtime plant in the mint family. Despite the name, it doesn’t sting—“dead” just means harmless. You'll spot it by its fuzzy, heart-shaped leaves (green at the base, purple on top) and tiny purple flowers. It grows low with square stems, like most mints.

Wild Edible & Nutritional Powerhouse

This wild edible is nutrient-packed and medicinal:

—Rich in vitamin C, iron, and fiber
—Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial
—Gentle diuretic and good for immune support

It’s also used topically for minor wounds and irritation.

When & How to Harvest
—Best harvested in early to mid-spring
—Pick the top 4–6 inches while it’s still young and tender
—Forage in clean areas, not near roads or sprayed zones

How to Use It

Raw:
—Add to salads or smoothies in small amounts (mild flavor, fuzzy texture)

Cooked:
—Use like spinach in soups, stir-fries, omelets, or pesto

Preserve:
—Dry for tea or powdered greens
—Freeze in water or broth cubes for quick meals

Tincture Making
—Great for allergies, colds, and immune support.

How to make:

1. Fill a jar with fresh (or dried) leaves.
2. Cover with 80–100 proof alcohol.
3. Steep 4–6 weeks, shake often, then strain.
4. Store in a dark bottle. Use 1–2 dropperfuls as needed.

Purple dead nettle is an easy-to-ID, nutrient-rich w**d that’s perfect for beginner foragers. Eat it fresh, cook it up, make a tea—or bottle a tincture for later. It’s wild food at its best!

09/02/2024

An overview of nettles and its health benefits!

Immune system: Nettle tincture may help boost the immune system.

Inflammation: Nettle tincture may help combat inflammation.

Pain: Nettle tincture may help alleviate pain from headaches and migraines.

Blood pressure: Nettle tincture may help lower blood pressure.

Respiratory health: Nettle tincture may help with asthma, mucus conditions of the lungs, chronic coughs, flu, colds, bronchitis, and pneumonia.

Bone health: Nettle is rich in vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium, and magnesium, which may help promote bone health.

Allergies: Nettle contains compounds that act as natural antihistamines, which may help calm the body's reaction to pollen.

Arthritis: Nettle may work alongside nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to help decrease NSAID use.

BPH: A few studies have found that stinging nettle may help reduce BPH-associated symptoms.

Nettle tincture can be taken straight from the bottle or mixed with juice, tea, or smoothies.

More information on Nettles benefits ans side effects

https://www.medicinenet.com/16_benefits_of_stinging_nettle_7_side_effects/article.htm

07/25/2024

I make an awesome violet jelly. Will definitely have to try this.

04/13/2024

🌿The Forager's Guide to Wild Foods

10/01/2023

10/01/2023

09/21/2023

I love plantain w**d. It's wonderful on bee stings.

This is plantain, two different species of plantain.
Narrow-leafed plantain is on the left next to broad-leafed plantain on the right.
Both leaves are edible. Narrow-leafed is more bitter whereas as broad-leafed is more palatable because narrow-leafed contains more medicinal constituents (making it more bitter). Overall, the leaves taste best in Spring but you can still use them when needed!
Notice the parallel veins of the leaf and the tall stalk with little flowers. Those are identifying markers.
Have you ever heard of psyllium husk? It comes from the seeds of a type of plantain stalk but all plantain seeds have that mucilaginous quality. Psyllium husk is a binding agent used in fiber products and gluten-free baking.
If you go camping and need to know any plant, this might be it. Chew up those leaves and put them right on bee stings and bug bites. 🐝 They will cool them down, stop itching, and draw out the venom.
Also, posted below, a study that showed plantain might actually help liver damage when dealing with APAP toxicity!
God's creations truly heals!
Don't use or eat something if you don't know what it is!