Purple Dead-Nettle(Lamium purpureum)
Other Names:
Red dead nettle, purple archangel
Range: Non-Native
Family:
Lamiaceae - Mint Family
Growth Type:
Annual herbaceous plant
Height:
Typically growing up to 8 inches tall.
Leaves:
The heart shaped leaves are arrainged opposite, are up to 1.5 inches wide, have a rough surface texture, serrated or wavy margins (edges), and are pubescent (covered in fine hairs). The short petiole (leaf stem) of L. purpureum allows it to be easily differentiated from the look-a-like henbit dead-nettle, Lamium amplexicaule.
Stem/Trunk:
Like all members of the mint family, L purpureum has square stems.
Root:
Shallow, fibrous, root mass
Flower Season:
Depending upon climate and weather, the flowers can be produced anytime throughout the year. This includes winters with mild weather.
Flower Appearance:
The zygomorphic flowers are bright red-purple. The flower is tube-like with a top hood-like petal, two lower lip petal lobes, and small tooth-like lobes between. The edges of the petals are covered in fine hairs. The scientific term for the flower shape is zygomorphic. This means it is shaped is such a manner that it can only be split in one way to leave two mirrored parts. For reference the human face is zygomorphic.
Seed/Fruit:
Not observed
Miscellaneous characteristics:
Henbit dead-nettle looks very similar to L purpureum.
Habitat:
The plant can be found along forest edges, meadows, the disturbed soils of lawns and gardens, and along roadsides.
Parts Used:
The entire flowering plant.
Culinary Uses:
The young tender plant tops can be eaten in salads. The whole Flowering Plant can be boiled and eaten as a cooked vegetable.
The following text is meant for informational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or injury. Always consult with a physician or other qualified medical care provider concerning the diagnosis and treatment of any illness or injury.
Energetics
Taste: Sweet/Bitter
Thermal: Warming
Humidity: Drying
Medicinal Uses:
Used for the treatment of hypertension, scrofula, paralysis, prostate, menorrhagia, metrorrhagia, uterine hemorrhage, leucorrhea, trauma, and fracture.
Traditionally a decoction of the entire flowering plant has been used to stop hemorrages. The leaves can also be applied to wounds and insect bites/stings. Taking internally, the plant has an affinity for the kidneys.
Cautions According To WebMD
Contra-Indications
None known
Possible Side Effects:
None Known
Possible Interactions:
None Known
Medicinal Actions:
Anti-Inflammatory,
Antiproliferant,
Antispasmodic,
Antiviral,
Astringent
Herbal Preparations For Lamium purpureum
Tea
Part Used: Whole Flowering Plant
Plant State: Fresh or dried
Place 2 tsp of fresh chopped plant material, or 1 tsp of dried plant material in a large mug. Pour almost boiling water over the leaves. Steep for 20 minutes. Strain to remove sediment.
Dosage: 6 ounces as needed up to 4 times daily.
Decoction
Part Used: Whole Flowering Plant
Plant State: Fresh or Dried
Place 2 ounces of fresh chopped, or 1 ounce of dried chopped, plant material into a pan. Add 1 quart of water, and bring to a boil. Continue to boil over medium heat, stirring periodically, until reduced by half. Cool the mixture, strain and drink.
Dosage: 2-4 oz up to four times daily as needed
Infused Oil
Part Used: Whole Flowering Plant
Plant State: Dried
In a quart mason jar, thoroughly mix 1 ounce of dried plant material and 6 ounces by weight of the oil of your choice. Cover the jar and place in a sunny spot for a month or so. Strain your oil, return to the cleaned jar and store in the refrigerator until needed.
Crock Pot Method: (My favorite)
Place 1 ounce of dried plant material and 6 ounces by weight of grape seed oil into a crock pot. Mix thoroughly, set the dial to its lowest setting, and allow to heat uncovered for 12 hours. After this time has elapsed, place the cover on the crock pot and turn the switch to off. Allow the pot to sit covered until the following morning. Then turn the crock pot once again to its lowest setting, remove the cover, and allow to heat uncovered for an additional 12 hours. Once this time has elapsed, allow the oil to cool enough that you can touch it without burning yourself, and then strain the plant material out. Now place the strained infused oil into a pint-sized mason jar and store it in the refrigerator until needed. (When straining my infused oils, I place a coffee filter into a fine metal sieve, and set the sieve over a glass bowl. I then pour the mixture into the strainer, and let it sit until all the oil has drained. Once it appears that it has completely drained, you will notice that there is much less than the 6 ounces of oil you started with. I usually take a large wooded spoon, or something else heavy, and pack the mixture into the strainer. I am always surprised how much oil is still released from the plant material. You can expect to yield just over 5 ounces by weight of your infused oil)
Dosage: You can apply infused oil topically as needed to soothe skin irritations. You can also follow the directions below to turn your infused oil into an ointment or salve.
Dosage: Use to make ointment or salve
Ointment or Salve
Infused oils are turned into ointments and salves. I have found a 5:1 ration by weight of infused oil to bees wax yields the best consistency of ointment. In a medium saucepan, heat 5 ounces, by weight, of your previously prepared infused oil over low heat. When the oil is hot enough, stir in 1 ounce of grated bees wax. When the wax is completely dissolved, dip the back of a clean cold spoon into the mixture. Allow it to cool and solidify. If you find the ointment is too hard, add a little more oil, if you find it is too soft, add a little more bees wax, until you reach your desired consistency. To make an even more luxurious feeling ointment, before it cools, try adding 1 tablespoon of lanolin to your ointments. If you are anything like me, you will love the luxurious texture, and soothing effect it has on your skin.
Dosage: Apply topically as needed to soothe and heal damaged or irritated skin.
