For many, the golden nettle, which belongs to the mint family, is merely a sometimes annoying weed, although both the leaves and the flowers of the wild plant are very tasty. But this is not the only reason why the perennial is sometimes cultivated in gardens, its vigorous growth and bright yellow flowers also have a high ornamental value. Quite apart from another possible use, because in earlier times the golden nettle was considered a medicinal plant.

harvest and use
In principle, all parts of the plant of the golden nettle that blooms between April and July are suitable for consumption. The golden-yellow flowers contain a lot of nectar - one reason why the plant is an important bee pasture. Gold nettles are not called "bee's suction" for nothing - and therefore taste sweet as honey. Perhaps you remember the taste from your childhood, because many children have always liked to suck on dead-nettle blossoms. But the tender leaves and young shoots also have a very distinctive taste and taste good raw in salads as well as cooked or blanched, for example as wild spinach. From autumn you can also harvest the roots and prepare them as a vegetable - similar to salsify. In principle, a harvest is possible all year round.
Ingredients of the golden nettle
The golden nettle not only tastes very good, it also contains a lot of vitamins, minerals and trace elements. In addition to essential oils, flavonoids and saponins as well as tannins and mucilage, golden nettles contain boron, calcium, iron, potassium, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur and zinc.
Caution, risk of confusion!
Anyone who knows what the golden nettle looks like will probably not confuse them so quickly. However, caution is still required, because especially the forest ziest growing in similar locations looks very similar to the golden nettle. However, this is also edible, although its taste is tart and aromatic. However, you can tell the plants apart by their smell before you pick them, as the forest squirrel smells much more strongly than the golden nettle.
Golden nettle as a medicinal plant
In earlier times, the common golden nettle was not only in great demand as a vegetable, but also as a medicinal plant, especially for colds. An infusion of its fresh flowers or leaves is said to have anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects, and the plant is also said to have antibacterial effects. You can also dry the young leaves and enjoy them with other herbs as a homemade herbal tea blend.
tips
If you go collecting in nature, it is better not to pick the golden nettles directly on (busy) roadsides and field edges, as these can be heavily contaminated with pollutants and pesticides.