DID VIKING WOMEN USE NETTLE ON THEIR HAIR?

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One day on Instagram I came across a video enthusiastically claiming that viking women regularly used nettle on their hair, and linseed oil on their ends (I’ll write about the latter in another post). I found this interesting, because I do know how many things nettle is good for. Even though it’s often weeded out, it’s a magical plant that “stings” and yet heals. I started looking at nettle oils online, but strangely I only found products based on olive oil. And olive oil is a very heavy, somewhat uncomfortable oil for the skin, and for oily hair it’s a complete own goal.

So the idea was born, I would make my own natural nettle hair oil. But the question wouldn’t leave me alone: did the vikings really use nettle for hair care?

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WHAT DO WE ACTUALLY KNOW?

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The answer is nuanced and easy to misunderstand. Let’s start with what we know for sure: nettle has been used for centuries as a medicinal plant as a blood purifier, for joint problems and yes, to stimulate circulation, which is indeed beneficial for the scalp and hair follicles.

Medieval herbal women and healers, including the legendary Hildegard von Bingen, already describe this effect, mentioning nettle among remedies that promote circulation and help against hair loss. In scandinavian folk traditions - long after the Viking Age - nettle decoctions really were used as a hair rinse against dandruff and to strengthen hair. But this does not automatically prove that people in the Viking Age used it in the same way.

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If we look at Viking Age sources - archaeological finds, sagas, text fragments - we do see nettle mentioned, but mainly as a textile fibre, animal fodder, or medicinal herb. From this period (roughly 800-1050 CE) we have no direct written sources stating that women or völvas (seer-priestesses) used nettle specifically for hair care. The sagas and mythological texts (like the Eddas) are mostly about heroic deeds, stories of the gods or divination, not everyday haircare routines.

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At scandinavian archaeological sites, textiles made from nettle fibre have been found (for example in Denmark, Norway and Sweden). This shows that people knew and used nettle, mainly as clothing material or rope. That’s clearly a functional use. So when it comes to hair care, there is simply no mention. Not a single line that says: “and then she soaked her hair in nettle decoction and invoked the goddess Freyja.”
Even though that would be amazing to read. :)

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WHY DOES THIS “VIKING HAIRCARE HACK” KEEP SPREADING?

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Quite simply because today’s natural beauty trends often look for a connection to “ancient wisdom”. Which is a lovely idea, until it sometimes slides over into creative myth-making. The real, well-documented effects of nettle get blurred together with vikings, and that’s a bit of an exaggeration.

The bottom line: we can absolutely use nettle for hair care (because it really does work!), but we shouldn’t confidently claim that viking women did the same. I’d rather say: this is a modern, natural hair oil that honours women’s knowledge and the healing herbs of old. :)

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WHY THE NAME “MIDGARD’S GOLD”?

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The colour of the oil, its effect and the almost ritual way of making it inspired the name. It feels most “authentic” if you harvest the nettle yourself out in the forest. In Norse mythology Midgard is the world of humans. It’s full of challenges, inner and outer battles, where anything that supports, strengthens and heals is a real gift.

This oil does exactly that: it connects you to the earth and the power of plants, and helps you stand more strongly and healthily in your own life. That’s why it became Midgard’s Gold, a drop of green magic for everyday use. And the best part is that it’s actually very easy to make. :)

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+RECIPE - Midgard’s Gold Nettle Oil

(for regenerating the scalp and stimulating circulation)

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INGREDIENTS

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- 1 handful of fresh nettle leaves

- 150-200 ml cold-pressed oil

- jojoba or grapeseed oil is ideal

- optionally: apricot kernel oil and a little black cumin oil

- optional: 5-10 drops rosemary or tea tree essential oil (to boost circulation and for a mild disinfecting effect)

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STEP BY STEP PREPARATION

1. Warm method - faster

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- Wash and finely chop the nettle

- Put it into a clean jar or heat-proof container

- Pour over the oil so that it completely covers the plant material (this is important - any parts sticking out can start to go mouldy while the macerate sits)

- Place the jar over a water bath (or on very low heat on the stove) and warm it for 1-2 hours
- Do not let it boil - it should just be lukewarm
- I kept the temperature around 60-65 °C (140-149 °F), and this was enough for the plant to release its active compounds.

Leave it to sit overnight, then strain through a fine sieve or cheesecloth

- Pour into a clean, dark glass bottle, label it and store it in a cool place
- It will keep for about 3-6 months.

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2. Alternative - cold maceration (the patient version)

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- Put the fresh (or slightly wilted) nettle into a jar

- Pour over the oil

- Place it on a sunny, warm windowsill for 2-3 weeks

- Shake the jar daily

- Strain and store in the same way as above

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HOW TO USE IT

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- Once or twice a week, massage a few drops of the oil into your scalp

- Leave it on for 30-60 minutes or even overnight

- Then wash your hair with shampoo (you may want to shampoo twice if you used a heavier oil blend)

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EXTRA TIPS

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If you don’t have enough jojoba or grapeseed oil, you can absolutely top it up with apricot kernel oil. For example I had some black cumin oil at home as well (use this sparingly, as it’s a heavier oil), so I added about 50 ml of that, around 70 ml apricot kernel oil, and then filled up the rest with jojoba oil. Black cumin oil is a little darker, so if your finished oil has a nice deep green colour, that’s a good sign - it probably means the nettle’s active compounds have been well extracted. :)

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The process of making the oil can be more than “just following a recipe”, it can become a personal little ritual. Put your phone away, play some soft music, surround yourself with objects that have meaning for you. Working with plants - even if it’s “only” a jar of infused oil - is part of an ancient lineage of knowledge. :)