Marsh hedge-nettle (Stachys palustris) commonly known as marsh woundwort, hedge-nettle, clown’s woundwort, downy woundwort, hedge nettle, or marsh betony, is an edible and medicinal perennial grassland herb, found in shorelines, fields, roadsides and waste areas in New England. It is native to parts of Eurasia but has been introduced to North America. It is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae).
The term 'hedge-nettle' is probably from England where the plant is found frequently in the hedgerows and it resembles a nettle.
The above-ground part of the herb that has been used medicinally.
The plant parts are harvested during summer when the plant is about to bloom and then used fresh or dried for later use. Internally marsh woundwort can be used in the form of herbal tea or tincture.
Highly regarded as a remedy for all kinds of wounds, both externally and internally, the fresh herb was applied directly on wounds, cuts, and scrapes in order to halt bleeding and heal.
The herb has antispasmodic and antiseptic properties. Therefore, it has been used to treat cramps, arthritis and joint pain. Marsh woundwort has also been used as an herbal remedy for diarrhea and dysentery.
As a food and animal feed, it is the small bulbous tubers on the root runners that are used. The runners should be pulled up gently and then used fresh or dried for later use. They have a good, nutty flavor. The tubers are highly nutritious with a nice taste and they can easily be used as an addition to soups and casseroles, or dried and ground into flour and mixed with cereal flour.
During spring time the young shoots can be collected, cooked and eaten like asparagus. Fully grown plants should not be collected as the stalks taste very bitter.
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