Wear plastic gloves, the ones you buy for doing dishes. Cut a small hand full of leaves. I put mine in a coffee cup with water and microwave for 2 minutes. Let it steep for a few minutes. Remove the leaves with a spoon and save for a second cup of tea. The tea will be clear, not like regular tea. Add some sugar and enjoy. They are called stinging nettles for a reason. I got stung on my hand and on my lips. You have to use caution. The flavor of the tea is awesome in my opinion and it is medicinal.

To use for greens pick them when young and tender in the spring. Later they become fibrous. (They can actually be used a textile.) Lots of recipes if you Google. But personally I have never found a method of cooking which doesn't leave a 'tickle' in the throat although people say there is none. I've done soup, pesto, risotto, stuffed pancakes and just sauteed. Maybe I'm just sensitive.

Thank you both for the replies. Very informative.
I tore one to smell (didn't know what it was) and got "nettled" in the nose. :( No fun. But at least then it was confirmed what it was!

I harvest, dry the leaves, then steep the leaves for tea. I wear regular garden gloves (cleanish rather than skunky, dirty ones) during harvesting.

FataMorgana