HAVE YOU EVER TRIED WEEDING WITH A HERBALIST?

Health writer, Anna King (AKYOGA) - takes a peek into the life of Master Herbalist, Anny O’Neill, from the Art of Health.

One of the beautiful ‘gifts’ that this Covid19 pandemic has given is to remind us of the simple pleasures in life, and gardening is certainly at the top of the agenda in the O’Neill household!

Unlike many other gardeners, Anny’s shrewd family will warn you off from getting rid of ‘weeds’...

“Noooooo, don’t pick that.......” shrieks James (Anny’s little 7-year old helper)! “Are you crazy, that’s a delicious nettle!”

With a chemical-free garden full of delicate scents and delicious delights, this little oasis ensures that Anny’s herbal apothecary is stocked with freshly harvested, organic ingredients.

This week the O’Neill family spent many hours foraging through the array of prickly nettles to find the ones ‘calling’ to be of service to humanity. Anny explains that this is not an arduous task: “It’s quality time! It’s magical, inspiring, restorative and educational”.

Armed with treasured thick gloves and vintage scissors James perks up to explain how he only picks the nettles that call out to him:

“They will only let you pick them if you get excited about it,” he chuckles in delight.

This mischievous chap is certainly on a mission!

“Medicinally these little beauties pack a punch, and have been a favourite for herbalists for centuries.”

With thorns, bitterness and an amazing colour, Anny explains how mother nature has armed the nettle with a mighty sting because they can’t run away from you:

“Their potent sting rightly suggests strength. They are super cleansing and can help with fluid retention or general bloating. Nettles are packed to the brim with nutrients, especially calcium to help with strong bones and teeth, as well as iron, which is so good for the blood and liver. I use nettle tincture in most of my kidney & blood-building tonics, and all of my liver detox bottles”.

Many naturopaths & herbalists believe that for every illness – or dis-ease – there is an equivalent nature cure. Anny points out that her raw stinging nettle pesto is a modern twist on what our forefathers used years ago:

“Nettles were traditionally used as a blood tonic to build you up after a harsh winter. It’s extremely important to therefore integrate this food into your diet at this time of year.”

And, with Anny’s gorgeous recipes that’s not a difficult task. PLEASE NOTE: Do not consume nettles without adequate preparation, otherwise they will sting you - always harvest with gloves!

Thank you Mother Nature. xxx

Art of Health Raw Nettle Pesto

Ingredients:

Fresh Wild Picked Spring Nettle Tops (pick with gloves on) - 150g or so!
2 Cloves of Garlic.
50g Parmesan Cheese (Vegan Option Replace with 3 Tablespoons Engevita Yeast).
50g Cashew Nuts (or Walnuts, Almonds, Pine).
100 ml Olive Oil.
1/4 Teaspoon of Pink Himalayan Salt.
1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper.
Filtered Water (Enough to Loosen the Mix if Required).

Method:

Using gloves, put the nettle leaves into a blender with garlic, nuts, salt and pepper, and blitz until leaves have mulched...

Add half of the oil measurement and blitz again until ingredients are getting well acquainted. Then add the second half of oil and the Parmesan (or engevita yeast), blitz again. Aim to have a fully blended consistency of not too dry or loose. I usually add approx 2 tablespoons of water to bring the texture of the nettle pesto to its delicious spreadable glory.

It keeps in a kilner jar for 3 days in fridge, but - I bet you it won’t last that long! Delicious served on toast (especially the Art of Health Bread), on pasta, or to crown a salad or soup.

Keep an eye on our page to get Anny’s veggie crudités and an array of other healthy delicious dips. Don’t forget to comment below if you are enjoying our blog. xxx