Shop Plans
Health
Find a Health Plan
We offer a complete choice of plans to meet your coverage needs and fit your budget.
More Plans
Travel
Cancer
VIP
Dental
Get a Dental Plan
We offer three Traditional plans and three Certified plans to meet your needs.
Medicare
Pick a Medicare Plan
Thinking about your Medicare options? Find out which plan is right for you.
Find Doctor or Drug
Find a Doctor
Find a Doctor or Drug
Pick a directory to search or find other helpful information about drug resources, quality programs and more.
Directories
Louisiana Provider Directory
Quality Blue Directory
National Provider Directory
BlueDental Advantage Plus Directory
Davis Vision Directory
Hospital Based Physicians
ER/OR Information
Are you planning a hospital stay? If you just found out that you need surgery, or if you will be admitted to a hospital or ambulatory surgical center for any reason, you will most likely receive some care during your stay from a hospital-based physician. Learn more.
Other Directories
Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core
Federal Employee Program (FEP)
Rx Drug Resources
Manage your medicine, find drug lists and learn how to save money.
Quality Programs
Quality Blue Programs
We work with doctors, hospitals and clinics around Louisiana to make sure you have a better healthcare experience.
Save Money
$25 Gym Memberships
Find a Gym
For just $25 a month and a $25 enrollment fee, you'll have access to 9,000 participating fitness locations around the state and nation.
More Money-Saving Tips
Find Discounts
Lower Drug Costs
Preventive Care Services
Primary Care Doctor
Pick a Primary Care Doctor
Picking a primary care doctor is an important step to staying healthy and saving money.
Choose the Right Care
Where you and go and who you see for treatment is a big part of getting quality healthcare while saving money.
Wellness
Discounts
Get discounts on gym memberships, fitness gear, healthy eating, prescriptions and more.
More Wellness Tips
Tools
Member Programs
Find a Program
Whether you want to quit smoking or find the right doctor, we have many programs to help.
Wellness Library
Learn About Wellness
Read articles, take quizzes, watch videos and listen to podcasts about many health topics.
Learn
Insurance 101
Learn the Basics
Understand your plan, learn about health savings accounts, and watch helpful videos.
Social
Find Us on Social Media
Join the conversation and stay connected with us for exclusive content.
Straight Talk
Get Straight Answers
If you're looking for a straight answer to your healthcare questions, this is the place.
My Account
My Account Information
Claims
Benefits
Costs
Statements
Pharmacy
Manage Account
Manage Your Account
Pay your bill, view your statements or update your email or password.
Forms
Other Coverage Questionnaire
Authorized Delegate
Health Assessment
Urtica dioica L. Family: Urticaceae
common nettle, greater nettle, stinging nettle
Stinging nettle is a medicinal herb plant known for its stinging leaves. It has tiny stinging hairs covering its surface. Contact with the plant produces a stinging, itchy, or burning rash on your skin. It also causes swelling and redness at the site of contact. This reaction is due to histamine from the plant that’s released when the hairs pierce your skin.
There are several species of stinging nettle. These include Urtica dioica, Urtica urens, and Urtica pilulifera. Nettle grows wild in temperate regions. It can reach 2 to 3 feet in height. Nettle has a long reputation in folk medicine. It’s used to treat asthma. It’s also used as an expectorant, astringent, tonic, anti-spasmodic, and diuretic.
Nettle is used to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). It’s used with other treatments. Nettle extract may help BPH by binding to sites on sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). This lessens testosterone's effect on the prostate. But studies conflict on how well it works. More research is needed.
There may be benefits that have not yet been proven through research.
Nettle extract may get in the way of inflammation. Inflammation is a major cause of pain and joint damage due to arthritis. But there’s little evidence to support how well this herb works for this condition. More research is needed.
Nettle may help manage:
Rheumatism
Asthma
Gout
Hay fever
High blood pressure
Irritable bladder
Nosebleeds
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Scurvy
Stings and venomous bites
Nettle comes in the form of tablets, liquid, tincture and tea. The dose may vary depending on conditions being treated. Follow directions on the package or talk with your healthcare provider for dosing information.
This herb doesn’t cause side effects when you use it correctly. Allergic reactions only happen in rare cases. Nettle may cause stomach cramps or diarrhea. If this happens, stop using it or use less of it.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding shouldn’t take this herb. This is because it can act like a diuretic.
Nettle can change the effects of medicines that affect blood pressure. These include diuretics and anti-hypertensives.
Don't take nettle if you take medicines, herbs, or other supplements. Check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist first.