12 Uses For Purple Dead Nettle

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12 Uses For Purple Dead Nettle

Purple Dead Nettle(Lamium purpureum) is a plant in the mint family. It is most commonly referred to as a weed. It is usually one of the first weeds I start to see in March or April. Once I see dead nettle emerging in early spring I get excited because I know it will be warming up soon.

Purple Dead Nettle does not sting hence the name dead nettle. The leaves seem to resemble nettles but they are not related to the nettle family at all. They are in the mint family and have a square stem, like other plants in the mint family.

Purple Dead nettles have fuzzy hairy leaves. They look like they sting but they do not.

Even though dead nettles are in the mint family they do not have a strong flavor.

Dead Nettle is a self-pollinating plant. They also provide food for hungry bees.

Purple Dead Nettle Look A Likes

There are a few similar plants that can be mistaken for purple dean nettle. Henbit is the most common plant mistaken for purple dead nettle. Henbit is also in the mint family and is often referred to as dead nettle’s cousin. It also has that signature square stem that plants in the mint family have.

Henbit has round scalloped leaves all around the stem. Purple dead nettle does not. Similar to its cousin the dead nettle, henbit prefers shade or partly shaded areas but can survive in full sun.

Stinging nettles can sometimes be mistaken when they first come up but an experienced forager or gardener can tell the difference. Stinging nettles have the stingers and dead nettles have a more fuzzy appearance on their leaves.

Another look-alike is Creeping Charlie. It also is referred to as ground ivy or creeping Jenny. Its leaves are kidney-shaped with scalloped edges. When the leaves are crushed they produce a mint-like aroma. In springtime blueish purple leaves appear. Creeping Charlie also likes shaded moist areas.

Another look-alike is the Spotted dead nettle. This plant is a perennial ground cover and can even be evergreen year-round in cooler climates. It is known to be a spreader. It has trailing green heart-shaped leaves which can be white or silver variegated and small hooded shaped magenta-colored flowers. Flowers can also be white or pink.

Luckily all these lookalikes are edible and nontoxic.

Dead Nettle Benefits

Purple Dead Nettle along with other plants in the mint family have medicinal benefits. Herbal actions of dead nettle are antispasmodic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral. It also has anti-nociceptive activity(pain-blocking).

12 Uses For Purple Dead Nettle

Used as a Natural Fabric Dye

Yes, purple dead nettle can be used as a natural dye for wool and linen, and other natural fibers. Most recipes I have found online use the same recipe which combines 2 gallons of foraged dead nettle with water and 2-3 teaspoons of iron.

Here is a great tutorial from Timber Creek Farm

Dead Nettle Infused oil

The best way to make an infused oil is to use dried purple dead nettle. Using fresh plant material has lots of moisture in it, so it can lead to mold in your final product. Here is a great recipe from The Nerdy Farm Wife.

Dead nettle has anti-inflammatory properties.

Make into a Purple Dead Nettle Salve

The best way to make a dead nettle salve is to use a dead nettle infused oil. Dead nettle is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, and using dead nettle in an herbal salve can make a great first aid ointment. Outdoor Apothecary has a great recipe.

Dead Nettle Tincture

Purple dead nettle has diaphoretic, diuretic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, purgatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal actions. You can utilize these actions by making purple dead nettle into a medicinal tincture. You can view my recipe below.

Use in salads or as a garnish

Although I have never used purple dead nettle in a salad I have heard it is great. Here is a link to a video where they make a foraged salad with wild greens including purple dead nettle. It’s from Well Watered Garden.

Feed to Chickens or Rabbits

Purple Dead Nettle is edible and chicken and rabbits seem to enjoy eating it. It is also nutritious.

Use as a Poultice

Because dead nettle is anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and has pain-relieving properties it makes a good poultice. You can learn to make a poultice on the website Gardening Know How.

Natural Colorant for Soaps

You can also use purple dead nettle to naturally color soaps. Here is a tutorial from The Nerdy Farm Wife.

Dead Nettle Oxymel

An oxymel is another way to extract some of the purple dead nettle healing properties. An oxymel is a mixture of equal parts honey and vinegar with a herb or plant material. It is left in a jar for 2 weeks and then the plant material is strained off and the liquid is bottled. Here is a tutorial on Mountain Rose Herbs.

Pollinator Attractant

Purple dead nettle is one of the first flowering weeds to pop up in late winter early spring and it provides food for hungry pollinating insects. If you don’t already have purple dead nettle growing near you or on your property you can also plant some. Beware though it can be invasive like other plants in the mint family.

Dead Nettle Pesto

Yes, you can use many different greens in pesto recipes. Try this recipe from Lonely Pines Farm to make purple dead nettle pesto.

Dead Nettle Tea

You can add purple dead nettle to existing tea mixtures. I like to mix 1 tablespoon of dried purple dead nettle leaves with 2 tablespoons of another tea mixture into 8 ounces of water. Steep for 4-7 minutes.

Supples for Tincture

Vodka 80 proof

Mesh Strainer

Amber tincture bottles

Glass Pyrex Measuring cup

Ball Wide-mouth pint jars with lids can be bought at most grocery stores.

Final Thoughts

Purple Dead Nettle is a versatile plant. It’s nutritional not only for humans but for other animals, and it has medicinal value and can provide sustenance. I hope this article has made you view this weed a little bit differently and hopefully in a good light.

If you enjoy making your own herbal remedies please check out another post here on Natures Antibiotic Usnea.

This website is for educational purposes only. The information provided by Renaissance Path is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any diseases. Please consult a qualified health care professional for medical advice. 

Do you have Purple Dead Nettle growing in your yard? Let me know in the comments.

Much Love,

Melissa