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Purple Dead Nettle
Lamium purpureum ( Lamiaceae)
Parts Used:Â aerial parts – leaves and tops
Key Constituents: Antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, astringent, immunostimulating, nutritive, styptic
Common names:
- Dead Nettle
- Purple Archangel
- Purple Dead Nettle
- Purple Dead-nettle
- Red Dead Nettle
- Red Dead-nettle
- Red Dead-nettle,
- Velikdenche
Purple dead nettle is another of those early spring “weeds” that are often found abundantly growing in most backyards, making them easy targets for wildcrafters like me. Â
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Purple Dead Nettle Identification
Purple dead nettle belongs to the mint family, hence its square stem. This stem holds up an umbrella of triangular leaves that are almost heartshaped. At the tips of each plant grows tiny pink flowers. The leaves of purple dead nettle form in opposite pairs, and those pairs grow perpendicular to each other. So every 4 leaves form a compass rose. Dead nettle leaves are covered in fine hairs. Â
Purple dead nettle like other mint family members usually grows with wild abandon and can spread profusely if left unchecked. Some gardeners and landscapers find it to be an invasive nusance, but I love it for its nutritive properties as well as its medicinal properties. The bees also love it!
I recommend only foraging for purple dead nettle when they are in bloom because when they’re in this stage, they’re easily identified and have no poisonous look alikes. If foraged early (before their tips turn purple/green, other poisonous look alikes might be harvested accidentally.Â
Not to be confused with stinging nettle, purple nettle doesn’t not have any parts of the plant that will sting.Â
Culinary Uses for Purple Dead Nettle
Once you have mastered purple dead nettle identification, you can enjoy the fun part…foraging!Â
Purple dead nettle is a nutritious wild edible food that is often overlookd as simply a weed to be eradicated from garden beds and lawns. However, because of its nutritive properties, should be included in your spring diet. Â
This plant is abundant in vitamins, particularly vitamin C, along with iron and fiber, while the oil in its seeds is packed with powerful antioxidants.
Its leaves and tops can be eaten both raw and cooked, although to be honest, I’m not a fan of eating it raw since its leaves are hairy. I am not a fan of hairy foods!Â
I have found that I like purple dead nettle as a pesto, dried for use in tea or tea blends, or cooked as you would spinach or kale.Â
Health Benefits of Purple Dead Nettle
Purple dead nettle has many beneficial uses, especially in herbal practices. It’s considered helpful due to its mild antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties and is rich in vitamin C and bioflavonoids, which can support your immune system during winter or allergy season.
I enjoy preparing dead nettle tea as part of a detox or cleanse routine, given its diaphoretic, diuretic, and laxative qualities. While eating dead nettle leaves can provide some benefits, making a tea is the best way to fully harness its potential. Just remember to start with a small amount, around 6-8 ounces, to see how your body responds, as it does have laxative effects.
Dead nettle leaves are also traditionally used for minor first aid, as they have been known to help with bleeding and can be applied to wounds due to their antifungal and antibacterial properties.
Nutritionally, dead nettle is a powerhouse, similar to other dark leafy greens. It’s high in vitamins C, A, and K, iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, and fiber, making it a valuable addition to a healthy diet.
How to Harvest
First and foremost, make sure you are harvesting from areas free of chemicals. I don’t recommend gathering from roadsides, as these tend to be areas that often get sprayed with herbicide.
 Harvest the first 5-10 cm of the flowering tops in the early spring. Dead nettle is often confused with henbit (Lamium amplexicaule), another member of the Lamiaceae (mint) family that is low-growing with purple flowers; however, henbit is also edible!
How to Dry Dead Nettle
To dry the nettle leaves for later, lay them flat on a dehydrator sheet and dehydrate for 6-8 hours on low. You can also dry them in a low oven, 175 degrees or less, for 8-10 hours. Add 1-3 Tablespoons dried leaves for every 8 ounces of boiling water.
Disclaimer:
The Outdoor Apothecary website is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. The information provided is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, it is the reader’s responsibility to ensure proper plant identification and usage.
Please be aware that some plants are poisonous or can have serious adverse health effects. We are not health professionals, medical doctors, or nutritionists. It is essential to consult with qualified professionals for verification of nutritional information, health benefits, and any potential risks associated with edible and medicinal plants mentioned on this website.
Hello,
Do these grow wild in Oregon?
Yes. They do grow wild in Oregon. I live in Southern Oregon and my yard grows tons of wild purple dead nettle.
This is a great site to learn about wild plants . Thanks .
Thanks Yvonne! I appreciate your acknowledgment.
Good to know because these are invading my yard. I don’t even know where they came from because they weren’t here last year.
Birds eat seeds and distribute them by leaving droppings in the garden.
True! Nature is amazing, isn’t it?
Where can I find it to grow indoors in the winter and outdoors in the summer like mint?
I’ve never actively grown this plant, as it simply grows wild on my property. It’s one of those plants that just appears. While I don’t have personal experience cultivating it indoors or outdoors on purpose, it’s important to note that purple dead nettle is non-native and can be quite opportunistic, spreading easily. This characteristic doesn’t quite tip it into the invasive category in every region, but it’s certainly something to be mindful of. Given its robust nature, I wouldn’t recommend actively planting it, especially since you can usually find it easily in a variety of conditions without much help.