夏枯草
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: The spikes are gathered in summer and dried in the sun.
Natural Properties & Taste: Bitter, pungent and cold
Meridians: Liver and gall bladder
Therapeutic Effects:
• 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.
