Grasp the Nettle!

I was pleased to see this wee patch of nettles at the end of our road. I like to have a ready supply and we don't have any in our tiny garden.
I use nettles as a plant feed in the garden - it provides nitrogen, magnesium, potassium and other nutrients. 
Of course it is good for humans too as nettle tea or delicious soup.
What I really like to use them for though is to sting myself with. I suffer - like most people of my age - with achey arthritic joints. Brushing the sore bit against the nettles stings of course but then results in heat and a pulsing sensation which is really soothing. I'm sure some would disagree but it works for me and there are many studies about the success of nettle sting therapy.
Roman soldiers and even those in WW1 used the stings to produce heat in the cold damp conditions.
The simple nettle has so many benefits and costs nothing!