Last Updated on June 1, 2025 by Nico
Commonly considered a weed, purple dead nettle is full of minerals and vitamins and offers wonderful support to the immune system. Here is a simple way to make purple dead nettle tincture and preserve the plant’s range of herbal benefits.
Like many medicinal plants, purple dead nettle (you may also hear it referred to as purple archangel or red dead nettle) is widely considered a weed (like dandelions and stinging nettles). It grows in many parts of the world, including North America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa. The nettles emerge in early spring and produces little flowers that are pink and purple in mid-spring to late autumn. It grows in moist and shady gardens, roadsides, and along pathways.
What is the difference between purple dead nettle and stinging nettle?
Purple dead nettle (Lamium purpureum) and stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) are two different plants with distinct characteristics. Purple dead nettle is a member of the mint family whereas stinging nettle is a member of the nettle family.
Appearance
Purple dead nettle – It has purple to reddish-purple leaves with a square stem. The leaves are heart-shaped with serrated edges and are arranged oppositely on the stem.
Stinging nettle – It has ‘fuzzy leaves’ that are green with jagged edges and tiny hairs that can ‘sting’ when touched. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs along the stem and have a characteristic pointed tip.
Stinging properties
Purple dead nettle – These nettles do not sting or irritate when touched or harvested (this is why it’s referred to as “dead”).
Stinging nettle – These are true nettles and are named for the plant’s ability to sting and irritate the skin. This is caused by the fine hairs on the plant’s leaves and stems.
Habitat
Purple dead nettle – The plant is commonly found in disturbed areas, garden beds, and along roadsides.
Stinging nettle – The plant prefers rich, moist soil and is often found near streams, ditches, and woodland edges.
Why make purple dead nettle tincture?
My favourite reason for tincturing purple dead nettle (and lots of other medicinal herbs) is to be able to preserve the medicinal properties of the plant much longer than it would otherwise last. I like to use stinging nettle tincture during cold and flu season and purple dead nettle tincture during allergy season to help mitigate allergy symptoms.
What are the benefits of purple dead nettle tincture?
Antioxidant effects – Purple dead nettle tincture contains antioxidants, such as flavonoids and phenolic compounds, which help neutralise harmful free radicals in the body. Neutralising free radicals can help to reduce oxidative stress and lower the risk of chronic diseases.
Support for respiratory health – Traditional herbal medicine suggests that purple dead nettle may have expectorant properties, which means it can help relieve congestion and coughs associated with respiratory infections or seasonal allergies.
Support for menstrual health – Some herbalists recommend purple dead nettle for menstrual cramping and excessive menstrual bleeding, due to its iron levels and ability to support hormonal balance.
Wound healing – When applied topically, purple dead nettle tincture may have mild astringent and antimicrobial properties. This could aid in wound healing and reduce the risk of infection, as well as help to soothe skin irritations.
Anti-inflammatory properties – Like many other plants in the mint family, purple dead nettle contains compounds that may help reduce symptoms of inflammation (such as joint pain).
Potential blood pressure support – Some herbs in the mint family like purple dead nettle have traditionally been used for their potential cardiovascular benefits due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other bioactive properties.
How to make purple dead nettle tincture
Tools
An airtight container with a plastic lid – I use a glass mason jar with a piece of parchment paper between the metal lid and tincture to prevent the alcohol from corroding the metal.
A small amber glass bottle with dropper tops – I use these ones.
A fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or coffee filter
A small funnel
A knife – for chopping up fresh purple dead nettle
Supplies
Fresh or dried purple dead nettles
80-proof vodka (or 40% alcohol) – If you want to avoid alcohol, you can simply swap out the alcohol for store-bought apple cider vinegar or food-grade glycerin. I use this raw, bulk apple cider vinegar. If you’re using fresh nettles, consider using a high-proof alcohol, which will be more effective at preventing spoilage from the water content in the plant.
For complete measurements, see the printable recipe card below.
Instructions
If you’re harvesting fresh nettles, make sure that you do so in an area that has not been sprayed with herbicides or pesticides. While purple dead nettles tend to grow along walkways and roadsides, these areas are more likely to have been sprayed. The alcohol in the tincture will not remove the herbicide or pesticide residue and therefore it will persist in your tincture so it’s crucial to forage from an unsprayed area.
Harvest your nettles in the morning, before they are exposed to high temperatures or direct sunlight. This will be when the beneficial essential oils in the plant are at their peak and will result in a more potent tincture.
Fully wash the fresh nettles.
Use a knife to chop the purple dead nettle up into small pieces. The reason to chop up the plant is to maximise the surface area of the plant that is exposed to the alcohol. You can use the entire plant (stems, leaves, flowers).
Add the nettle to a sanitised clean mason jar (or any glass jar you have).
Submerge the plant material in alcohol and make sure it’s completely covered.
Add the lid and shake the jar to ensure all of the plant parts are covered by alcohol.
Leave the jar to sit in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight for 6-8 weeks.
Aim to shake the jar 3-4 times a week to keep everything covered in alcohol.
After 6-8 weeks, use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to strain off the tincture. If you foraged wild nettles, I’d recommend using cheesecloth to ensure that any remaining dirt is filtered out of the tincture.
Use a funnel to add the tincture to an amber glass dropper bottle.
Add the date and label the tincture to make sure you don’t forget what it is.
That’s it!
How much purple dead nettle tincture to take?
I like to take 1 dropper full per day and increase the dosage to 2 to 3 times per day during allergy season.
How long does purple dead nettle tincture last?
Like many homemade alcohol-based herbal products, this tincture has a long shelf life if stored away from direct sunlight. I like to use the tincture within 1-2 years.
Other ways to use purple dead nettle
In tea – I like to use dried purple dead nettle leaves in homemade tea blends. Use it plain or add it with mint and lemon balm for a calming and nutritious blend.
Raw in salads or smoothies – Like other nutritious wild food, purple dead nettle can be eaten raw. Add it to salads or into smoothies to get an additional heap of minerals and vitamins.
In soups – Add a handful of fresh or dried leaves into soups for a super nutritious soup in the summer or wintertime.
In homemade pesto – Replace half of the basil in your favourite pesto recipe with purple dead nettle leaves for a nutrient boost!
Can I make this tincture without alcohol?
Yes, simply swap out the alcohol for store-bought raw apple cider vinegar. Extracts made with vinegar will not last as long as tinctures made with alcohol and it’s best to use the extract made with vinegar within a year.
I’m not a medical professional and do not intend to offer medical or health advice in any content I create. I offer information for educational purposes and, as always, get your physician’s advice or the advice of your health care provider before trying a new herbal remedy. There are always possible unintended consequences of trying a new herbal remedy such as an allergic reaction or unexpected side effects like interactions with other medication.
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How To Make Purple Dead Nettle Tincture
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Fully wash the fresh nettles.
- Use a knife to chop the purple dead nettle up into small pieces. The reason to chop up the plant is to maximise the surface area of the plant that is exposed to the alcohol. You can use the entire plant (stems, leaves, flowers).
- Add the nettle to a sanitised clean mason jar (or any glass jar you have).
- Submerge the plant material in alcohol and make sure it’s completely covered.
- Add the lid and shake the jar to ensure all of the plant parts are covered by alcohol.
- Leave the jar to sit in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight for 6-8 weeks.
- Aim to shake the jar 3-4 times a week to keep everything covered in alcohol.
- After 6-8 weeks, use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to strain off the tincture. If you foraged wild nettles, I’d recommend using cheesecloth to ensure that any remaining dirt is filtered out of the tincture.
- Use a funnel to add the tincture to an amber glass dropper bottle.
- Add the date and label the tincture to make sure you don’t forget what it is.
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