INDIVIDUAL HERBS

Pharmaceutical Latin: Spica Prunellae
Common English: Prunella
Selfheal Spike
Allheal Spike
Woundwort
Herbs that Clear Heat and Drain Fire: Herbs that Clear Heat in the Qi Stage
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
  • Use with caution for those with Spleen and Stomach Deficiency and weakness.
INCOMPATIBILITIES
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

Flos Chrysanthemi
Ju Hua
Concha Haliotidis
Shi Jue Ming

Rz. Cyperi
Xiang Fu

Rz. Cyperi
Xiang Fu

Rx. Angelica Sinensis
Dang Gui
Rx. Paeoniae Alba
Bai Shao

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. Scrophulariae
Xuan Shen
Thallus Eckloniae
Kun Bu

(Concha Ostreae)
(Mu Li)

Rx. Bupleuri
Chai Hu

Bul. Fritillariae Thunbergii
Zhe Bei Mu

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
Jue Ming Zi

Hb. Taraxaci
Pu Gong Ying

Flos Chrysanthemi
Ju Hua
Concha Haliotidis
Shi Jue Ming
Sm. Cassiae
Jue Ming Zi

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
Dang Gui
Rx. Paeoniae Alba
Bai Shao

Rx. Scrophulariae
Xuan Shen

Rz. Cyperi
Xiang Fu

Rx. Bupleuri
Chai Hu

Hb. Artemisiae Scopariae
Yin Chen Hao
Cx. Phellodendri
Huang Bai
Rx. Salviae Miltiorrhizae
Dan Shen

Liver Fire with Blood Deficiency.

Liver Qi Stagnation.

Enlargement and inflammation of the Liver.

Ram. cum Uncis Uncariae
Gou Teng
Pheretima
Di Long
Cx. Eucommiae
Du Zhong

Flos Chrysanthemi
Ju Hua
Concha Haliotidis
Shi Jue Ming

Periostracum Cicadae
Chan Tui

 

Hypertension.

Redness, swelling and pain of the eyes due to hypertension.

 

  1. Typically used when Liver Fire and Stagnation combine to produce hot swelling.
  2. This herb is used in Western herbology as an astringent and tonic - the whole top is used.
  3. Its hypotensive action is the subject of much research at the present time.
  4. This herb is good at removing neurological symptoms in the head due to heavy metal poisoning.
  5. This herb has been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
  6. It is used to treat breast abscess and breast cancer.
  7. This herb is said to treat circulatory disorders, tuberculosis, hepatic inflammation, throat and mouth inflammation, thrush and Internal bleeding.
  8. Long-term consumption of Xia Ku Cao as a syrup has a reliable therapeutic effect of scrofula.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.