Prunella, Self-heal, Xia Ku Cao 夏枯草

Also called Consolida minor
Xia Ku Cao (TCM)
Picture Picture
New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563

 Kurtzes Handtbuchlein, Ryff, 1599
Picture Dietrich, Flora regni borussici, 1834

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Botanical name:


Prunella vulgaris

Parts used:


Flowering tops; Herb

Temperature & Taste:


Cool, dry. (Warm in the West) Sweet, Bitter
Bitter, Cleansing, Binding

Classifications:


2D ATTENUATERS OF CONGEALED BLOOD
2T. GLUTINATE

Uses:


1. Clears Liver Heat (TCM, West):
-red, swollen, painful eyes
-Headache, Dizziness, Convulsions, Vertigo, Epilepsy
-Hepatitis
-Hypertension; it has also been regarded as effective for Hypotension

2. Clears Heat and Poison:
-Toxic Sores, Abscesses, Carbuncles
-also taken to prevent Infection during epidemics including Measles
-Dysentery (TCM)
-Viral infections including Herpes, Glandular Fever, Mumps, HIV etc.

3. Clears Heat and Poison, Resolves Masses:
-phlegm and heat-type Scrofula, Goiter, Lymphadenitis, Swollen Glands in the neck, and various other nodes and swellings
-used as a stand-alone herb for Scrofula, including those that have ruptured or ulcerated
-special for Mastitis, Abscesses, Tumors and Cancer of the Breast

4. Clears Heat, Clears Stasis, Promotes Healing:
-A valuable Vulnerary (Wound herb); long used internally or externally for all sorts of Wounds, Bruises, internal Bleeding
-internal or external Ulcers, including Ulcers of the mouth, anus, vagina, and Lungs.

5. Moves the Blood, Clears Blood Stasis:
-Amenorrhea, sluggish Menstruation
–‘Dissolves congealed blood’. (Salmon)

6. Clears Heat and Damp, Promotes Urine:
-Difficult Urination and Edema.
-‘helps all joint aches’ and ‘is excellent for all griefs of the Sinews’ (Culpeper); Gout and Arthritis (TCM, West).
-In Europe it has also been used for Jaundice, Gravel and Stones.

7. Clears Heat, Stops Cough:
-‘A Great Pectoral’ (Salmon)
-heat-type Cough and Lung disease

8. Kills Worms.

9. Externally:
-topically for all inflammations (plaster)
-topically to minor skin Sores, Infections and Rashes
-used for various Wounds and Ulcers (plaster, or fresh herbs beaten and applied)
-topically applied to the bites of Rabid Dogs and other venomous Bites. (plaster, or fresh herb beaten and applied)
-applied to Cramps, Pain and Spasms of the Sinews and Tendons. (the ointment or plaster is applied topically)
-as a mouth wash or gargle for all sores and inflammations of the Mouth, Gums and Throat.


Dose:


It is drank as tea during the summer to clear heat.
DECOCTION or LONG INFUSION: 6–15 grams
POWDER: 1–4 grams

Substitute:


… available in PRO version
Picture

Main Combinations:


1. Liver Heat:
i. Self Heal with … available in PRO version
ii. Self Heal with … available in PRO version
2. Hyperthyroidism, Liver Heat, Self Heal with … available in PRO version
3. Scrofula, Lymphatic swelling:
i. Self Heal with … available in PRO version
ii. Self Heal with … available in PRO version
iii. Self Heal with … available in PRO version
iv. Self Heal with … available in PRO version
4. Hypertension:
i. Self Heal with … available in PRO version
ii. Self Heal with … available in PRO version
5. A wash for Wounds and Ulcers, Self Heal with … available in PRO version
6. Fractures, combine Self Heal with … available in PRO version
7. Plaster for Dislocations and Trauma of the Joints, Self Heal with … available in PRO version

Major Formulas:


Decoction of Self Heal
Decoction of Self Heal and Kelp
Decoction of Timaei (modified)
Powder for Cancerous Ulcers (Gabelhover)

Cautions:


Generally Safe.
1. In TCM it is not used for marked weakness.
2. It may lower Thyroid function and aggravate Hypothyroid conditions.

Main Preparations used:


Distilled Water of the Herb, Conserve of the Flowers