There are several different types of nettle that are weeds. Do you know what type? Are you aware that most common nettles irritate the skin when touched. Go to library and do more research on types.

A warning I wish that people that look at plants for healing would heed is that all plants have interactions with everything that we put in our bodies so you need to do your research and talk to your doctor before using. Some have few risks except if you are sensitive to that particular plant. Some can send you to the hospital. A common one that they are just discovering side effects of using too much is lavender. If used on young children can cause breasts to grow in both males and females. Some people may have been aware of the problem but until many of the baby products started adding lavender few noticed.

Be certain that you look at many sources because many give different uses and warnings.

You may want to check the Herbalism Forum. Good luck on your research.

It really, really helps to know the botanical name of any plant before you start taking it! As Maifleur has pointed out, there are many different species of nettle, each with its own medicinal properties.

If you're talking about Stinging Nettle, here is some information for you:

Urtica dioica: Herbaceous perennial to about 1.5 metres. The stem is square, the leaves are opposite and sharply toothed and both are covered with tiny stinging hairs. The greenish flowers are found in clusters in the leaf axils, with male and female flowers on separate plants. Flowering occurs in summer. Called Stinging Nettle, Common Nettle, BeggarÂs Lice.

Cultivation: Nettles are widely spread as a weed and will grow in almost any conditions, though they need to be kept moist and prefer dappled shade. They self-seed readily. Presence of nettles usually signifies a fertile soil. If cultivating, sow seed in autumn. Refrigerate seeds for several weeks before sowing to encourage germination, which occurs in spring.

The site linked below lists some of the nettle species. Read about each one.

And I second Maifleur on the importance of seeking professional advice before starting on a herbal medicine regime. As I pointed out in your other thread (Echinacea, Nettle, Flax and what else?) you also need to learn a bit more about what you intend to put into your body - not just the good things, but the bad things as well - and herbs, just like any medicine, have both!

Here is a link that might be useful: nettles

Stinging Nettle is most definitely a hardy perennial in zone 6. Many non-herbalists consider it a pestilence. If you can find someone who doesn't use herbicides or other chemicals and has some of it, with their permission and blessing you can pull and cut all the nettle you want! This is also true of burdock, dandelion, and countless other weeds/herbs.

FataMorgana

Thank you so much Fata Morgana ! Do you know of a good book about this ? or a web page or were to go to learn more? how do i cook dandelions and the other ones? what are they good for? Thanks again to all of you.

Are you looking for books on growing, harvesting, or using herbs? Or a combination there of? If we know what information you are looking for, we can better suggest something.

BTW, if you go out to the first page of the Herbs forum (the one with the list of of posts) and scroll to the bottom you will find a search bar. If you type in something like "books", you should get quite a list of posts where books have been suggested in the past.

FataMorgana

Your local library should have a good collection of books about herbs. Spend a few delightful hours browsing through there.

Alternatively, the internet has literally thousands of sites on herbs. The link below should get you started. Only 420,000 sites to choose from!

Just search for whatever you want specific information about. Type in 'dandelion recipes', or 'medicinal uses nettle' or whatever - and you'll find the answer.

Lots of information about lots of herbs at this site, where you can learn how to grow, culinary uses, medicinal uses and more:

http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/D_search.html

And as Fatamorgana said, there's a search facillity on this site, too. It isn't brilliant, but you should find lots of information in previous threads.

Here is a link that might be useful: google search result for Herbs and their uses