https://stream.echo6.co/videos/watch/e823e0a3-f989-4eb0-8be3-d750ea605754 What can an old fairy tale teach us about one of herbalism’s most trusted plants? In this episode, herbalist and storyteller Juliet Howard shares one of my favorite stories, The Wild Swans, an old tale in which stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) plays a central role in healing, devotion, and liberation. From there, our conversation unfolds into a rich exploration of nettle’s gifts—from its nourishing minerals and restorative qualities to its role as a fiber plant, natural dye, and lifelong herbal companion. Through story, personal experience, and practical herbal wisdom, Juliet reveals why stinging nettle remains such a treasured herbal ally. Along the way, she offers a thoughtful reminder that some of the most meaningful healing happens slowly, through relationship, consistency, and practice. Juliet also shares her Heavy Nettle Daily Tonic, combining nettle with a few beloved herbal allies to make a deeply nourishing infusion. You can download your beautifully illustrated recipe card from the resource section below. By the end of this episode, you’ll know: ► Why stinging nettle is a gateway herb for so many herbalists ► How nettle is able to break real-life “enchantments” and help bring you back into yourself ► Why nettle works best as a long-term herbal ally ► A simple daily practice that can transform your relationship with this common weed ► What it means to think of plants as friends (rather than simply as resources) ► and so much more… For those of you who don’t know her, Juliet’s relationship to the wisdom and magic of the plant world began at a very early age while living on the wild cliffs of the Oregon coast. The purpose of her work is to help people come home to themselves through fostering deeper relationships to plants and the natural world. It is her strong conviction that plants are a powerful portal into the magic and wonder of being alive and embodied. With her book, The Girl Whose Garden Comes Alive, Juliet’s intention is to help children cultivate lifelong reciprocal relationships with the green world, making them feel both empowered and connected to the land around them. This episode is part herbal conversation, part story hour, and entirely delightful. Whether you already love stinging nettle or are just getting to know it, you'll come away with a deeper appreciation for the many ways this humble plant nourishes, restores, and surprises us. -- RESOURCES -- ► Get your free, downloadable recipe card, plus herbal goodies every Wednesday when you sign up for my weekly newsletter: https://bit.ly/4wZdPSU ► Access the transcript for this episode here: https://www.herbalremediesadvice.org/podcast227.html ► Juliet’s website: https://www.thegirlwhosegardencomesalive.com/ ► Juliet’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daymoon.botanicals/ ► Are you looking for high quality dried herbs? My recommendation is Mountain Rose Herbs. Click here to check them out: https://bit.ly/3ms3vQ2. You can also look for local places to buy herbs near you in my directory here: https://bit.ly/3NRQq0U -- DISCLOSURE -- I’m a huge fan of Mountain Rose Herbs and will often share referral links to buy herbs or herbal supplies at their online herbal apothecary. By using the above affiliate link, you help support this channel. Thanks! -- TIMESTAMPS -- 0:27 - Intro to Juliet Howard + Juliet’s plant path 09:24 - Herbs in fairy tales and folklore: a retelling of “The Wild Swans” by Hans Christian Andersen 24:48 - The restorative nature of nettle 31:54 - Nettle as a rite of passage 34:02 - Heavy Nettle Daily Tonic recipe 39:13 - Nettle plant dye 41:21 - Juliet’s book, The Girl Whose Garden Comes Alive 50:48 - Plants as lifelong friends and allies 57:31 - Student spotlight 58:51 - Herbal tidbit -- DISCLAIMER -- The herbal and plant information in this video is for educational purposes only. The information contained is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other medical professional. If you have or suspect that you have a serious health problem, promptly contact your health care provider. Always consult with a health care practitioner before using any herbal remedy or food, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or have a medical condition. Wed, 10 Jun 2026 07:04:30 GMT https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html PeerTube - https://stream.echo6.co https://stream.echo6.co/client/assets/images/icons/icon-512x512.png https://stream.echo6.co/videos/watch/e823e0a3-f989-4eb0-8be3-d750ea605754 All rights reserved, unless otherwise specified in the terms specified at https://stream.echo6.co/about and potential licenses granted by each content's rightholder.