Benefits of Having Purple Dead Nettle

Purple dead nettle, or Lamium purpureum, is a common plant in the mint family that appears in lawns and gardens across North America and Eurasia. Often dismissed as a weed, this plant’s presence can be a benefit, offering value that extends from the kitchen to the local ecosystem.

Identifying Purple Dead Nettle Safely

A key characteristic of purple dead nettle is its distinct square-shaped stem, a common trait in the mint family. The leaves are spade-shaped, covered in fine hairs, and arranged in opposite pairs that grow perpendicular to each other. Towards the top of the plant, the leaves take on a notable purplish or reddish hue, which is a primary visual cue. Small, tubular pink-purple flowers emerge from the axils of these upper leaves.

Distinguishing purple dead nettle from its common look-alike, henbit (Lamium amplexicaule), is an important step for safe foraging. While both are edible members of the mint family, their structures differ. Henbit’s upper leaves are sessile, meaning they clasp directly onto the main stem without a stalk, whereas all of purple dead nettle’s leaves have a petiole, or leaf stalk. Henbit’s leaves are also more rounded and scalloped compared to the more triangular shape of purple dead nettle.

For beginners, waiting until the plant flowers is a reliable method to confirm its identity, as no poisonous look-alikes of a similar small size are in bloom at the same time. Both plants often grow together in disturbed soils, gardens, and lawns.

Culinary Uses

The young leaves, stems, and flowers of purple dead nettle are edible, with a mild, earthy, and slightly sweet flavor. Because the leaves are covered in fine hairs, some people prefer to cook them to alter the texture, though they can be consumed raw. The fresh tops can be chopped into salads, blended into smoothies, or used for pesto. Cooking makes it a good addition to soups, stir-fries, and egg dishes, and its leaves and flowers can be steeped in hot water for a mild herbal tea.

Medicinal Properties

Historically, purple dead nettle has been used in traditional herbal practices for its astringent, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic qualities. It has been used topically as a poultice for minor skin irritations and wounds to help tighten tissues.

Purple dead nettle is a source of nutrients like vitamins and iron. Its flavonoids, such as quercetin, contribute to anti-inflammatory and immunostimulating effects that may help with seasonal allergies. This information is for educational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Consuming large quantities, particularly as a tea, may have a laxative effect.

Ecological Advantages

As one of the earliest plants to flower in the spring, purple dead nettle provides a food source for pollinators like bees when other nectar is scarce. Its crimson-red pollen is a source of protein for bees building up their nests in early spring.

The plant also functions as a natural ground cover, forming dense mats that help protect bare soil from erosion. By covering the ground early in the season, it can also help suppress the growth of less desirable weeds.