Everything You Need to Know About Purple Dead Nettle

Purple dead nettle may look just like any other weed growing in your lawn or backyard, but this herb actually has many surprising uses in your home! With their nutritional value, uses in the kitchen, and even medicinal benefits, they can be a versatile and worthwhile addition to your lifestyle. Here are the things you need to know about purple dead nettle — and how you can make the most out of this humble plant!

What is Purple Dead Nettle (Lamium Purpureum)?

A member of the mint family (Lamiaceae), purple dead nettle is among the first plants to emerge in early spring. Many might mistake it for a stinging nettle; however, it has no fine, stinging hairs that release irritants when handled, making it safe to touch. It originated in Asia and Europe but grows on various soils and disturbed areas throughout North America.

Many gardeners consider it a weed, but it’s also a highly beneficial plant! This hardy little beauty often pops up uninvited in gardens, lawns, and fields, earning its "weed" reputation. However, it’s far from useless — it’s a forager’s delight and a medicinal herb! 

Purple dead nettles are closely related to Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule), as both are from the mint family. After producing seeds, they often die as the temperature rises, particularly in late spring or early summer.   

How to Identify Purple Dead Nettle

Purple dead nettles are characterized by their green, spade-shaped leaves, square stems, and purple tops with flowers that may attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. However, some purple dead nettles may appear reddish, making it earn its other name, “red dead nettle.”

Purple dead nettles are resilient, low growing weeds that reach about 4 to 12 inches tall. They thrive in areas with moist, fertile soil and full sunlight. However, they can be aggressive and invasive when they grow, particularly in gardens and fields, which is why many consider them a nuisance. 

You’ll often see them growing alongside Henbit. Differentiating them might be difficult, but you can distinguish the two by their leaves: purple dead nettles have triangular-shaped leaves, whereas henbits are rounder.

Benefits and Uses of Purple Dead Nettle

No need to panic if you spot this plant in your backyard! Purple dead nettles are more than just a weed — they offer plenty of practical uses for your home.

Nutritional Benefits

Adding purple dead nettle to your diet may be beneficial to your health as it is said to be high in various nutrients, such as:

• Vitamin C
• Iron
• Fiber
• Antioxidants

Cooking

Foragers will be glad to know this herb is entirely edible, especially the leaves and flowers. Here are some ways to use this edible weed in the kitchen:

• Mixed with other greens in salads
• Cooked into soups or stir-fries
• Used as a garnish
• Added to smoothies
• Brewed as a tea

Medicinal Uses

Purple dead nettles may be considered “medicinal herbs” or "medicinal weeds" as they are used in folk medicine worldwide, thanks to their antibacterial, astringent, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.

Different ways to use purple dead nettles include:

• As a salve, balm, or infused oil to treat minor wounds and cuts 
• Drank as a tea for supporting immune health 
• Made into an alcohol-based tincture that can be used as a mild diuretic and for easing joint pain  

However, before including purple dead nettle remedies in your health regimen, be sure to consult a healthcare professional!

Expert Tips on Foraging Purple Dead Nettle

Here are some ideas to make the most out of foraging this herb:

• Learn how to identify purple dead nettles correctly. Look for square stems, spade-shaped leaves, and purple-tinged tops. If you harvested them along with some henbit, don’t worry - they’re both safe to eat raw or cooked.  
• Don’t just forage anywhere - especially in areas like roads or industrial zones where pesticides may have been used. Instead, look for them in moist, tilled soils like meadows, gardens, or forest edges. 
• Forage for them during mid-spring through mid-fall since the plants are most active then. It’s also best to collect after the dew has dried in the morning. 
• For the best flavor, choose young, tender leaves from dead nettles with vibrant purple tops. Don’t harvest everything — leave enough for the pollinators to eat.
• To collect them, snip or pinch the young leaves and flower tops off the plant. Leave the roots on the ground so they’ll regrow.  
• Gently rinse the plants before using them.

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