INDIVIDUAL HERBS
| Pharmaceutical Latin: | Spica Prunellae |
| Common English: | Prunella Selfheal Spike Allheal Spike Woundwort |
| Taste | Temperature | Entering Meridians | Dosage |
Bitter Acrid (Slightly Sweet) (Astringent) |
Cold |
Gallbladder Liver (Kidney) (Lung) |
6-18g If used alone, up to 30 gm Tincture: 2-5 ml |
| Actions | Indications/Syndromes |
Clears Liver Fire and brightens the eyes |
Liver Fire with red, painful or swollen eyes or headache and dizziness, double vision, watery eyes Eye pain which is worse in the evening due to Liver Yin Deficiency, especially when the eyes are neither red nor swollen |
Clears Hot Phlegm and dissipates nodules |
Any neck lumps or nodules due to Phlegm-Fire such as scrofula, lipoma, carbuncle, swollen glands or goiter thyroid or enlarged lymph glands |
Treats hypertension |
Hypertension due to Liver Fire or Liver Yang Rising, headaches, Dizziness |
CONTRAINDICATIONS |
|
INCOMPATIBILITIES |
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS |
Flos Chrysanthemi |
Rz. Cyperi |
|
Headache, dizziness, vertigo, and pain and redness in the eyes due to Liver Fire. |
Eye pain with excessive tearing. |
Eye pain that increases in the evening or night due to Liver Yin Deficiency. |
Rx. Bupleuri |
Bul. Fritillariae Thunbergii |
|
Nodules due to Phlegm Fire. |
Neck nodules due to Liver Qi Stagnation. |
Cools and relieves toxicity to disperse and transform Phlegm and treat goiter, scrofula and swollen or inflamed lymph glands. |
Sm. Cassiae |
Hb. Taraxaci |
Flos Chrysanthemi |
Redness, pain and swelling of the eyes, abnormal tearing, photophobia, headache and dizziness due to Liver Fire, especially eye pain worse at night due to Liver Yang Rising. |
Swollen, sore throat, red, swollen eyes and deep-rooted sores. Early-stage breast abscesses. (internally and topically) Hepatitis and cholecystitis. |
Liver Fire with eye disorders. |
Rx. Angelica Sinensis |
Hb. Artemisiae Scopariae |
|
Liver Fire with Blood Deficiency. |
Liver Qi Stagnation. |
Enlargement and inflammation of the Liver. |
Ram. cum Uncis Uncariae |
Flos Chrysanthemi |
|
Hypertension. |
Redness, swelling and pain of the eyes due to hypertension. |
|
- Typically used when Liver Fire and Stagnation combine to produce hot swelling.
- This herb is used in Western herbology as an astringent and tonic - the whole top is used.
- Its hypotensive action is the subject of much research at the present time.
- This herb is good at removing neurological symptoms in the head due to heavy metal poisoning.
- This herb has been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
- It is used to treat breast abscess and breast cancer.
- This herb is said to treat circulatory disorders, tuberculosis, hepatic inflammation, throat and mouth inflammation, thrush and Internal bleeding.
- Long-term consumption of Xia Ku Cao as a syrup has a reliable therapeutic effect of scrofula.
- Fresh Prunella Xian Xia Ku Cao has stronger Heat-clearing and Fire-draining properties and is often used for swelling and pain in the eyes. It can be taken internally and applied externally.
- Prunella Dew Xia Ku Cao Lu is the aromatic distillate of the fresh spikes and has the same effects as Xia Ku Cao . It is a popular beverage for summertime Heat. It can be given to children to prevent Summerheat or summertime rash and can be used as a drink for scrofula or thyroid conditions. It moderates the cold effect of Xia Ku Cao on the Stomach and can be taken for a long time.