native Americans used nettles as a cure for upset stomachs and stomach aches...dry the leaves and make a hot tea out of steeping the leaves.
Being a Native American history major, I tried it...the hardest part is cultivating the leaves and not touching them. Much like poison ivy, some people are extremely sensitive and soem are not....nettles will make you think you walked into a fire ant hill....burns and itches....
two of my arabian horses are very sensitive to the leaves if they brush them out on the trail...my Spanish Mustang/Paso Fino mare doesnt seemed too bothered by them.
I have never had a problem with them but my wife is extremely sensitive.
the tea works well for upset stomach...much like steeping a tea from peppermint or spearmint leaves for the cure of stomach aches.
Never really read, heard or seen of any other uses for it....
just thought I would throw that in <cha-ching> (the sound of my two cents worth)
GONZO !!!