1. Description:
Prunella Vulgaris (also known as common self-heal, heal-all, woundwort, heart-of-the-earth, carpenter’s herb, brownwort and blue curls, Chinese: Xia Ku Cao, 夏枯草, 铁线夏枯草), a species of perennial flowering plant in genus Prunella (Lamiaceae family). Found in Europe, Asia and North America as well as most temperate climates, the plant can grow up to 30 cm. The fruit-spike of Prunella Vulgaris acts as antiphlogistic, discutient and analgesic in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) used in treating diseases including high blood pressure, headache, red painful eyes and various skin problems.
2. Odour, Properties And Channels:
Prunella Vulgaris is considered to have pungent, bitter and cold properties and to be associated with the liver and gallbladder meridians.
3. Uses, Health Benefits of Prunella Vulgaris & Medical Formulas:
3.1 Blood Pressure
Boiled water with cirsium setosum and prunella vulgaris is taken daily to treat high blood pressure.
3.2 Reducing Inflammation And Relieving Pain
A mixture of Henan chrysanthemum, Prunella vulgaris, Semen cassiae and tribulusterrestris is smoked in treating conjunctivitis.
Herbal soup with prunella vulgaris, the bulb of fritillary and nutgrass root is used in dissolve lumps and treat scrofula.
A decoction of prunella vulgaris and dandelion root is used in treating acute mastitis.
A decoction of prunella vulgaris, mulberry leaves, chrysanthemum flowers and semen cassiae is taken to relieve painful eyes and headache caused by accumulated heat in the liver.
A decoction of fresh prunella vulgaris is taken to heal acute tonsillitis.
3.3 Skin Health
A decoction of dried prunella vulgaris is used externally daily to treat tinea versicolour (fungal infection).
Smashed fresh prunella vulgaris is applied externally to treat metal-inflicted wounds.
A decoction of dried prunella vulgaris is taken orally to prevent measles.
3.4 Gynecologic Diseases and Disorders
Powdered prunella vulgaris is taken with rice soup to treat bleeding disorder with heavy bleeding during periods as well as red and white vaginal discharge.
Juice from smashed prunella vulgaris is taken orally to treat postpartum anemic fainting and dizziness.
3.5 Epilepsy
Fresh prunella vulgaris and honey are taken orally with warm water to treat epilepsy and high blood pressure.
3.6 The Excretory System
A decoction of dried prunella vulgaris and sculellaria barbata is used in treating bacillary dysentery in infants and children.
3.7 Hepatitis B
A decoction of dried prunella vulgaris, oldenlandia diffusa, couch grass rhizome, licorice root, isatis root and sophora tonkinensis is used in treating hepatitis B.
4. Research And Studies:
Experiments show that prunella vulgaris decoction has a certain inhibitory effect on Shigella, Salmonella typhi, Vibrio cholerae, Escherichia coli, Proteus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
The Ben Cao Medical Book (also known as Compendium of Materia Medica or Ben Cao Gang Mu; Chinese: 本草纲目) is the most famous and comprehensive medical book ever written in the history of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Compiled and written by Li Shi-zhen (1518~1593), a medical expert of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) over 27 years.
The Ben Cao Medical Book records and describes all the plants, animals, minerals, and other objects that were believed to have medicinal properties in TCM. The book reflects the pharmaceutical achievements and developments of East Asia before the 16th century. On the basis of his predecessors’ achievements in the pharmacological studies, Li contributed further by supplementing and rectifying many past mistakes and misconception in relate to nature of many medicinal substances and causes of various illnesses. Charles Darwin, originator of the biological theory of evolution, regards the book as the “ancient Chinese encyclopedia”.
Disclaimer: The Ben Cao Medical Book is translated by ChinaAbout.net . The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of CTM knowledge and information from the research and experience from the author Li Shi-zhen. Kindly be alert that the CTM knowledge and ancient formulas given above are likely NOT medically proven and may contain misconceptions.