 Prunella
spike,Selfheal (Xiakucao)
Pharmaceutical Name : Spica Prunellae
Botanical Name : Prunella vulgaris L.
Common Name: Prunella spike, Selfheal spike
Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao
Jing
Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical
Preparations : The spikes are gathered in
summer and dried in the sun.
Properties & Taste : Bitter, pungent
and cold
Meridians : Liver and gall bladder
Functions:
• Clear away liver-fire.
• Stop dizziness, headache, and fever due to wind-heat.
• Soothed the liver energy.
• Calms and reduces excitement, nervousness, and irritation.
• Eliminates phlegm and disperse stagnation.
• Reduces swelling of lymph glands.
• Relieves jaundice.
Indications & Combinations:
1. Flaring up of liver fire manifested as
red, painful, swollen and watery eyes, headache
and dizziness. Prunella spike (Xiakucao) is
used with Sea-ear shell (Shijueming) and Chrysanthemum
flower (Juhua).
2. Accumulation of phlegm-fire manifested
as scrofula, lipoma, swollen glands or goiter.
Prunella spike (Xiakucao) is used with Oyster
shell (Muli), Scrophularia (Xuanshen) and
Laminaria (Kunbu).
Dosage: 10-15 g
Cautions & Contraindications:
This herb should be used with caution in cases
with a weak stomach and spleen. |
