In the UK it's the Dockleaf that performs the same service.

I always understood that to be really good nettles had to be young, late June at the latest. They often grow by the roadside over here and should be well-washed to remove traces of motor pollution and pee!

When I was a kid they used to make a refreshing non-alcoholic 'nettle beer' in the town of Heysham, Lancashire. As far as I know they still do. I can't turn up a recipe for it though. Perhaps it's been taken over by the Coca-Cola Company.