Tag: Cystoliths

According to Wild Food UK, it is not wise to eat nettles when flowering due to the production of cystolith crystals that can upset the urinary tract. Knowing when not to eat nettles is crucial for safe foraging and to prevent potential health issues from consuming the plant incorrectly. Proper harvesting practices ensure you can safely enjoy this nutritious wild edible.

According to numerous foraging experts, once stinging nettles (Urtica dioica) begin to flower, they should no longer be harvested for their leaves due to the formation of irritating cystolithic crystals. This raises a critical question for foragers: **Can you eat nettles after they flower?**