Every spring time, when the grass and flowers spread and covered the land, pond water growing green, a very nice herb tipping light blue flower and dressing green clothes come into our eyesights, at grass land, brook side and road side,this is just Prunella vulgaris, the whole herb plant perished at end of Summer end, so named as Xia Ku Cao in chinese pinyin, means Grass perished at the end of Summer.
Prunella vulgaris widely used as herb medicine to treat and prevent many disease, also used widely recent years for it's good taste and rich nutrition,scientific data proved that the fresh leaves and stem of Prunella vulgaris rich in protein,plant fat, carbohydrate,Carotene,Vitamine B, and nicotinic acid (niacin,Vitamine B3).
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Basic Instruction
Prunella vulgaris All heal Selfheal Fruit-spike.immune stimulant and anti-inflammatory effects.
seminal trace...Selfheal Fruit-spike.10:1Extract.Spica Prunellae,Prunella spike,Selfheal,Xiakucao,Prunella spike,Self Heal,All-Heal, Hook-Heal,Selfheal spike,Bang Zhutou Cao,Denglong Tou Cao,Common Selfheal Fruit-Spike is the dried fruit-spike of Prunella vulgaris L...
Botanical Info of Prunella vulgaris:
Prunella spike,Selfheal (Xiakucao)
Pharmaceutical Name:Spica Prunellae
Botanical Name: Prunella vulgaris L.
Latin Name: Prunella vulgaris Linn.(Prunella vulgaris L. var. lanceolata (Barton))
Family Name: Labiatae
Common Name: Prunella spike, Selfheal spike,Bang Zhutou Cao(grass with a stick shape chapiter), Denglong Tou Cao(grass with a lantern shape chapiter,"Cao" means grass)
Chinese Name:Xia Ku Cao.(Ben Jing)
Other names: All Heal Brunella, Self Heal,All-Heal, Hook-Heal,Carpenter-weed,Common Selfheal,Consolida Minor,Lance Selfheal,Prunella,Brunella,Slough-Heal,brownwort,Woundwort, Heart of the Earth, Wound Root, Slough Heal,Sicklewort,Carpenter's Herb, Dragonhead, Blue Curls, Hercules' Woundwort, Hook-Heal,hookweed,Xia Ku Cao
Chinese Synonyms:Xi Ju,Nai Dong (Ben Jing), Yan Mian (Bie Lu),Mai Sui Xia Ku Cao,Mai Xia Ku,Tie Xian Xia Ku (Dian Nan Ben Cao), Tie Se Cao (Gang Mu),Bang Zhu Tou Hua (Zhong Guo Yao Zhi Zhi),Da Tou Hua (Zhe Jiang Zhong Yao Shou Ce(Zhe Jiang TCM Handbook)),Deng Long Tou,Yang Chang Cai, Lang Tou Cao(Jiang Su Zhi Yao Zhi),Bai Hua Cao (He Bei Yao Cai),Zhang Bao Cao(Shan Dong Zhong Yao),Bang Chui Cao (Zhong Yao Zhi),Gan Ye Ye (Shaan Xi Zhong Yao Zhi), Luo Chui Cao,Dong Feng,Niu Ku Cao,Di Ku Niu,Guang Gu Cao,(Hu Nan Yao Wu Zhi),Liu Yue Gan,Bang Tou Zhu(Min Dong Ben Cao).
Botanical Origin: Common Selfheal Fruit-Spike is the dried fruit-spike of Prunella vulgaris L. (Fam. Labiatea),spread over china.
Part Used: dried fruit spikes with flower.
Habitat: Moist areas below 7500', disturbed sites, circumboreal, probably an early Eurasian
Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The fruit spikes are gathered in summer and dried in the sun.
Indications:1. Dizziness due to hypertension, headache, tinnitus;2. Red eyes, photophobia with lacrimation, conjunctivitis;3. Dry cough;4. Dermititis and boils.
Every spring time, when the grass and flowers spread and covered the land, pond water growing green, a very nice herb tipping light blue flower and dressing green clothes come into our eyesights, at grass land, brook side and road side,this is just Prunella vulgaris, the whole herb plant perished at end of Summer end, so named as Xia Ku Cao in chinese pinyin, means Grass perished at the end of Summer.
Prunella vulgaris used in china for many years, normally the fruit spike with flower dried in the sun and used Pharmaceutically,this useful herb wide spread in china.
Harvesting Information:Gather flowering tops, and dry in small bunches for later herb use, or tincture fresh. Store in cool, dry, dark, place for best shelf life.
Habitat:Spread widely from Europe to Asia,Siberia,North Africa,West Asia,India,Pakistan,Nepal,Bhutan,Astralia and North America.Wide spread at provinced of China,ShananXi,Gan Su,Xin Jiang,He Nan,Hu Bei,Hu Nan,JiangXi,Zhe Jiang,Fu Jian,Tai Wan,GuangDong,Guang Xi,Gui Zhou,SiChuan,YunNan and other provinces.Growing at hill side,grassland,brooke side,and wet terra.
Lore: The name carpenters herb stems from belief that "the decoction of Prunell made with wine or water doth joine together and make whole and sound all wounds, both inward and outward." (Gerard, 1633)
Prunella: from a German word for "quinsy," a malady that this plant was used to treat (ref. genus Prunella)
vulgare/vulgaris: common (ref. Cerastium fontanum ssp. vulgare, Cirsium vulgare, Foeniculum vulgare, Leucanthemum vulgare, Marrubium vulgare, Beta vulgaris, Hippuris vulgaris, Linaria vulgaris, Prunella vulgaris var. lanceolata, Senecio vulgaris, Utricularia vulgaris).
Prunella Species:
Prunella vulgaris L. is a kind of Perennial herb Labiatae family Prunella genus,its chinese name "Xia Ku Cao(withered summer end)" origined from an description "this herb dried and withered after the summer solstice",others names as Nai Dong,Tie Se Cao(iron color grass),Mai Xia Ku(Wheatlike Xia Ku grass),Deng Long Tou(lantern head),Da Tou Hua(big head flowers),Bang Chui Cao(wooden club grass),Yan Mian,etc,this is a traditional chinese medicine,normally used it dry fruit spike.
Prunella plant nearly 15 kinds spread in the earth from temperate zone of Eurasian land,North West of Africa,and North America,Prunella herb from China has 4 genus and 3 variations,they are White flower Prunella(Prunella vulgaris L.var, leucantha Schur Sec.Bailey),Narrow leaf Prunella (Prunella vulgaris L.var, lanceolata Fernald),Mountain Spinach(Prunella asiatica Nakai),Rigid Hair Prunella (Prunella hispida Benth.) and Big flower Prunella(Prunella grandiflora Jacq.).Variations and close herb including White Hair Prunella (Ajuga decumbens Thunb.),a plant Labiatae family Ajugoideae genus,mainly spread from Jiang Su,Zhe Jiang,An Hui,He Nan provinces of China.
Plant Description of Prunella in General:
Physical Characteristics:
Perennial growing to 0.15m by 0.3m. Prunella is a genus of seven species of herbaceous plants in the family Lamiaceae, also known as self-heals or "allheal" for their use in herbal medicine. Most are native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, but Prunella vulgaris (the Common Self-heal) is Holarctic in distribution, occurring in North America as well, and is a common lawn weed.
Clavate, somewhat flattened, 1.5~8 cm long, 0.8~1.5 cm in diameter. Pale brown to brownish-red. The whole spike composed of up to ten or more whorls of persistent calyx and bracts, each whorl with two opposite bracts, fan-shaped, apex acuminate, striations of vein distinct, the outer surface with white hairs. Each bract with three flowers, the corolla often fallen off, persistent calyx bilabiate, with four small brown ovoid nutlets, with white convex at the acute end. Texture light. Odour, slight; taste, weak.
Fibrous-rooted perennial from a root crown or short rhizome. Stems solitary or clustered, erect to creeping and ascending, 4-sided, 1-5 dm long, loosely softly long-hairy in lines or nearly throughout, or practically hairless.It is hardy to zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees.
The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.
Self-heals are low-growing plants, and thrive in moist wasteland and grass, spreading rapidly to cover the ground. They are members of the mint family and have the square stem common to mints.
Field Marks: Distinguishing features of this species are the crowded spikes consisting of many flowers subtended by many overlapping bracts.
Habitat: Low woods, along streams, around ponds and lakes, in roadside ditches, wet prairies, as well as in drier habitats.
Stems: Spreading to erect, 4-sided, hairy, up to 2 feet tall.Height 4-12 inches
How to Grow Prunella Vulgaris:
Prunella Vulgaris thrives in any damp soil in full sun or in light shade. It will grow thicker in a part shade environment. Prunella vulgaris is a good plant for growing in the spring meadow. Sow seed in very early spring in a flat outdoors, or give a short cold and moist conditioning treatment before sowing in a warm place. As Prunella Vulgaris is related to the mint family, it transplants and spreads easily. Some not so enlightened people might consider it a weed.
This perennial is hard to temperatures as low as -20 F (-29 degrees C) and occurs naturally throughout Europe and adjacent Eurasia. It has quickly become naturalized to North America and Australia as well. It is an attractive, low-growing plant that spreads out well and will colonize an area with its creeping root stocks and by seed as well. It will grow as high as 12 inches tall when it flowers with violet blossoms in the summer. Self-heal flowers form in dense clusters at stem ends, each with a two lipped arrangement with its upper petal resembling a hood.
Grows well in average to good soil where plants will get full sun to partial shade. Routine watering will result in best growth, but when somewhat neglected, it grows good as well. New sprouted plants can be transplanted in early spring. Will allow propagating from cuttings, but using root segments removed from established clumps is the easiest method.
Constituents and Phytochemicals of Prunella Valgaris and Prunella herb:
Main Effective Constituents: Luteolin,C15H10O6;Esculetin,C9H6O4.
Ursolic acid and caryophyllin (they are the saponin).Contains prunellin,a kind of saponin, it's aglycon just Ursolic acid,other kinds of content such as Ursolicacid,Oleanolic Acid,Rutin,hyperin, alpha-anisylacetone,delphinidin,cyanidin. Seed contain coating oil and lipase. Herb contains naphtha,composed by D-Camphor and fenchone,Vitamine B1,etc.
Whole herb contains triterpenoid saponins,Sapogenol is Oleanolic Acid,free Oleanolic Acid,Ursolic Acid,Rutoside,Hyperin,Caffeic acid,VitaminB1,Vitamin C,Vitamin K,Beta-Carotin,Resins,Bitterness,Tannins,Volatile oil,Alkaloid,water soluble salt(3%,and potassium chloride shares about 63%)
Fruit Spike contains Delphinidin,Cyanidin,d-Camphor,d-fenchone,Ursolic Acid.
Chemical Composition: Oleanolic acid (I); b-amyrin (II); Stigmasterol-7; 22-diene-3-ketone (III); a-Spinasterol (IV); b-sitosterol (V); Daucosterol (VI); 1.8-cineole; b-pinene; Myrcene; Linalool acetate; a-phellandrene; Linalool; Ursolic acid (II); Quercetin (VI); Quercetin-3-o-b-D-galactoside (V); Oleanane-12- alkene- 3b; Oleanane-12-alkene-28-aldehyde- 3b-hydroxy (VII); Vulgarsaponin B (VI, III, V); Ursaane-12- alkene-28-aldehyde-3a-hydroxy (VIII); 28-dihydroxy (IX) and ursaane-12- alkene-3b; 28-dihydroxy (X), IV, VII, VIII, IX and X; 2a, 3a-hydroxyuvaol-12- alkene-28- acid (III); 3b, 16a, 24-trihydroxyoleanane-12-alkene-28-acid-3-o-(6-butyryl)- b-D-glucopyraoside (I).
Prunella vulgaris widely used as herb medicine to treat and prevent many disease, also used widely recent years for it's good taste and rich nutrition,scientific data proved that the fresh leaves and stem of Prunella vulgaris rich in protein,plant fat, carbohydrate,Carotene,Vitamine B, and nicotinic acid (niacin,Vitamine B3)
1.1.Sugar: Prunella vagaris contains free monosaccharide,disaccharides and polysaccharides.Scientists ever isolated and identified chemicals from Big flower Prunella(Prunella grandiflora Jacq.) free glucose,galactose,fructose,sucrose,combinative mannitose,glucose,Arabinose,xylose and Rhamnose.Tabba and other scientist isolated a kind of polysaccharide from prunella vagaris water extract and identified it as prunellin,molecular weight about 10000,sulfur shares the composition of its molecular.
1.2.Sterol content: Scientists isolated 8 sterols from the fruit spike,stem and leave of prunella herb,4 of them are free sterols,another 4 of them are combinative Glucoside.They are beta-sitosterol, Stigmasterol,Spinasterol, Glucoside and Beta-Amyrin,etc.Another kind of new glucopyranoside chemical isolated recently and named as vulgarsaponin B.
1.3.Organic acids: Organic acids isolated from prunella vagaris mainly composed of Caffeicacid,oleic acid,linoleic acid,Lauric acid,Palmitic acid,myristic acid,Stearic acid and lignoceric acid.GC-MS method applied by scientists of China isolated palmitic acid(PA),Ethyl hexadecanoate;6,9-Octadecadienoic Acid ;Stearic acid;3,6,7-Eicosatrienoic Acid;Oleic acid;Arachidonic acid and behenic acid.Scientists Wan Ju Zhu and others isolated and identified a new kind of organic acid:2alpha,3alpha-dihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid.
1.4.Flavones: Flavones from prunella herb identified till present mainly flavone,flavonol,anthocyanin and anthocyanidin.They are Quercetin, anthocyanin,delphinidin,hyperin,Luteolin-7-O-glucoside,etc.
1.5.Steroids: White flower Prunella(Prunella vulgaris L.var, leucantha Schur Sec.Bailey) contains cyasterone,it shows anti tumor activity.
1.6.Coumarins: Russia scientists isolated 3 kind of coumarins from prunella herb,identified as Umbelliferone,(Scopoletin and Aesculin.
History and Uses:Heal All,All Heal and Self Heal
Prunella, a powerfully astringent herb, is also known by many names including Heal All, All Heal and Self Heal, and as most of these alternate names imply, this plant was used extensively as a healing herb, particularly when used topically to stanch the bleeding of wounds. In poultice form, it was also used to treat bruises, burns, sprains, cuts and hemorrhoids. Prunella was also used as a mouthwash for sores and gum problems, as well as a gargle for sore throat and thrush. It was also used in a douche for leukorrhea.
The herb is often useful for treating liver disorders, and it has been prescribed by herbalists in cases of jaundice, hepatitis and general weakness of the liver. Prunella is beneficial for limited internal bleeding and can also be valuable in cases of diarrhea, flatulence and gastritis, as well as the expulsion of intestinal parasites. Prunella is believed to have antibacteria and strong antiviral properties; and in the treatment of Grave's disease, the herb has been effective in combination with Bugleweed.
Prunella is also high in antioxidants, and it has been made into a tea with Oregano as an immune system booster.Constituents of Prunella include essential oil, Rutin, tannic acid, beta-carotene and vitamins B-1, C and K. The herb has had some success in treating vertigo, hypertension, gout and conjunctivitis. Prunella is truly one of the most versatile, safe and effective of nature's medicinal plants.
Prunella Vulgaris Folklore and History:
The common name "self-heal" derives from the use of some species to treat a range of minor disorders. It is reported to have an antiseptic and antibacterial effect, and to be particularly good in cases of food poisoning. In the Pacific Northwest, its juice was used by the Quinault and the Quileute on boils. They also used the whole plant to treat cuts and inflammations. Some people even fixed it with grease to form an ointment. It is also used as an herbal drink in China to treat minor bodily disorders.
Prunella Vulgaris was once proclaimed to be a Holy herb and thought to be sent by God to cure all ailments of man or beast, and said to drive away the devil, which lead to the belief that Heal-All was grown in the Witches garden as a disguise. The root was used to make a tea to drink in ceremonies before going hunting by one Native American tribe to sharpened the powers of observation.
Prunella Vulgaris Edible Uses:
Edible Parts: Leaves.
Edible Uses: Drink.
Leaves - raw or cooked. They can be used in salads, soups, stews etc. Somewhat bitter due to the presence of tannin in the leaves, though this can be removed by washing the leaves. A cold water infusion of the freshly chopped or dried and powdered leaves is used as a refreshing beverage. Very tasty.
Self-heal is a mint relation, and as with all the other mints, if you plant it once, you never have to plant it again. Incredibly vigorous, the plant spreads by underground stems that shoot out in every direction once the first root is stuck in the ground. If there is anything to the doctrine of signatures, prunella should make anyone who takes it into his or her body stronger than an ox.
In the southern United States, ground-hog plantain, or square weed as it is called, is collected in the spring as a tonic plant. It is also eaten as a spinach substitute, prepared in a big pot with a piece of hog meat by cooks who follow the traditional southern style or with a little vegetable oil by more modern cooks concerned with the bad publicity animal fats have received in recent years.
Prunella Vulgaris is an edible and medicinal herb, and can be used in salads, soups, stews, or boiled as a pot herb.Used as an alternative medicine for centuries on just about every continent in the world, and for just about every ailment known to man, Heal-All is something of a panacea, it does seem to have some medicinal uses that are constant.
An olive-green dye is obtained from the flowers and stems. The plant is a good ground-cover in sunny positions or light shade.The mildly bitter leaves are also good as salad greens.
Functions and Actions of Prunella spike:
Prunella Vulgaris Herb Uses and Medicinal Properties:
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.
Property, taste and attributive meridian:Bitter and acrid in taste, cold in property , and attributive to the liver and gallbladder meridians.
Action: To quench fire of the liver and counteract inflammation of the eye, and to reduce nodulation and induce subsidence of swelling.
Indications: Inflammation of the eye, eye pain at night, headache and dizziness; scrofula, goitre, mastistis with swelling and pain, hyperplasia of breast; hypertension.
Prunella's most useful constituents are Betulinic-acid, D-Camphor, Delphinidin, Hyperoside, Manganese, Oleanolic-acid, Rosmarinic-acid, Rutin, Ursolic-acid, and Tannins. The whole plant is medicinal as alterative, antibacterial, antipyretic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, diuretic, febrifuge, hypotensive, stomachic, styptic, tonic, vermifuge and vulnerary.
A cold water infusion of the freshly chopped or dried and powdered leaves is a very tasty and refreshing beverage, weak infusion of the plant is an excellent medicinal eye wash for sties and pinkeye. Prunella is taken internally as a medicinal tea in the treatment of fevers, diarrhea, sore mouth and throat, internal bleeding, and weaknesses of the liver and heart. Clinical analysis shows it to have an antibacterial action, inhibiting the growth of pseudomonas, Bacillus typhi, E. coli, Mycobacterium tuberculi, which supports its use as an alternative medicine internally and externally as an antibiotic and for hard to heal wounds and diseases. It is showing promise in research for herpes, cancer, AIDS, diabetes, and many other maladies.
Prunella vulgaris has shown to be an antioxidant, immune stimulant, viral replication inhibitor and an anti-inflammatory agent.
Heal-all and Cure-all: Self-heal is no secret.it¡¯s used on every continent human beings call home. The fact that this plant is also known as heal-all and cure-all should give you some insight into what people have found to be true of it. They don¡¯t call it sometimes-heal, or might-heal, or every-once-in-a-while-heal, they call it heal-all.
Astringent and antiseptic: The aerial parts are astringent and antiseptic and may reduce blood pressure. They treat sore throats, bleeding gums,hemorrhoids, and heavy menstruation.
Antiseptic Uses: In China, the antiseptic, cooling flower spikes are considered a liver and gallbladder stimulant, and treat the symptoms associated with an unbalanced liver, including hypertension and conjunctivitis. The herbs common name indicates its long history of first-aid use on fresh wounds.
Wounds healer: Prunella is an astringent herb that has been used extensively in the healing of internal and external wounds. It has also been useful in treating liver weakness, diarrhea and sore throat. Self heal has a long history of folk use, especially in the treatment of wounds, ulcers, sores etc. It was also taken internally as a tea in the treatment of fevers, diarrhoea, sore mouth, internal bleeding etc. In China it is used to treat oedema, nephritis, scrofula and goitre. The whole plant is alterative, antibacterial, antipyretic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, diuretic, febrifuge, hypotensive, stomachic, styptic, tonic, vermifuge and vulnerary. It has an antibacterial action, inhibiting the growth of Pseudomonas, Bacillus typhi, E. coli, Mycobacterium tuberculi etc. It can be used fresh or dried, for drying it is best harvested in mid-summer. The plant is experimentally antibiotic and hypotensive.
An infusion is said to be effective with most internal ailments. Also good for use with external wounds. Was used centuries ago to aid in healing wounds, but with better modern medicinal alternatives, can best be used now to aid the healing of closed wounds and bruises.
Herpes infection: Nonetheless, scientists are looking for alternative natural remedies. Some laboratory studies have shown the effectiveness of a kind of herb, Prunella vulgaris, in fighting herpes infection. According to the results, Prunella vulgaris caused a decrease in genital and cold sores, both of which are signs of herpes. Tradionally, this colorful plant or herb commonly found in China and in some parts of Europe, has long been known to cure sores and prevent an increase in blood pressure. Prunella vulgaris has also been considered as astringent for external or internal reasons. In the aforementioned study, it was discovered that Prunella vulgaris has a specific anti-herpes property, Zovirax.
Immune system booster: Prunella is effective in treating Grave's disease and has been used as an immune system booster. Some have said recently that an extract from the plant can inhibit the HIV virus.
Nature is capable of providing cure for any disease. One proof of this is the capacity of our body to heal itself and fight infections through the immune system. Modern medicine recognizes this. In fact, natural treatment means it is sometimes more effective than any state of the art advancement in modern medicine. One such case is in fighting infections. Antibiotics and vaccines may be effective, but in the process, they also destroy good microbes that protect the body. Herpes simplex virus infection is one type of disease that still has no cure.
Minor throat ailments: Heal-All is used as an herbal remedy for minor throat ailments by making a tea and gargling. The tea is also used to treat diarrhea and fevers internally and wounds, ulcers, soars, and bruises. Chinese have used the tea to treat kidney ailments, conjunctivitis, boils, heat in the liver, and scrofula. The plant contains ursolic acid, which is a diuretic and an anti-tumor compound.
Standard Uses: Self-heal is an attractive plant in its own right and makes a very good ornamental addition to most gardens. As it is a vigorous grower, be careful not to position it near areas where this would be a detriment. It tends to spread well and its centuries-old folk medicinal uses makes for an interesting addition with historical associations.
Pharmaceutical Actions:
1. Lower blood pressure:Action to the Cardiovacular System:
Prunella vulgaris decoction proved to be used to reduce the high blood pressure for animals.
Water decoction,water-alcohol decoction and 30% alcohol solution decoction of Prunella vulgaris show function of lower cholesterol and decrease blood pressure for the laboratory narcotic animal experiment.
For example,mainline decoction of Prunella vulgaris at dosage of 100mg/kg to the dog, result showing good effect on lowering blood pressure,mainline to dog at dosage 1~1.5G and make blood pressure decreased 40¡«60mmHg, and recovered back in 2~5 minutes. Ip 3~4 grams make blood pressure decreased 30¡«40mmHg in 15~30 minutes, and lasting 1~2 hours. Pour 2~5 grams to dogs could show slight blood pressure action in 30~60 minutes and continued 2 hours around.
Heart Perfusion experiment for toad heart and rabbit heart showing that low concentration decoction of Prunella vulgaris cause exiting and make swing of heart increase, and higher concentration the opposite effect.
2.Effects on acute cardiac infarction and the blood pressure:
Administered by abdominal injection to anesthetic rats, prunellin (PVS), an extract of Xia Ku Cao can significantly decrease Ig pvc, Ig (VT+VF) and arrhythmia. Four hours after the ligation of the coronary artery, administering PVS to anesthetic rats at 20mg/kg reduced the affected area of cardiac infarction and scope of the area of cardiac infarction to shrink compared to the contrast group. Administered by IV injection at 2.5mg/kg, PVS can significantly decrease both the diastolic and the systolic pressures in anesthetic rats.
3.Lower blood sugar:Reducing blood sugar:
Research proved that,effective constituents from prunella show strong inhibition on mice blood sugar increasing by alloxan reasons at 50mg/kg dose,and no toxic effects,further study disclosed it seems the blood sugar lowering and inhibition effects of prunella has relations with improved sugar metabolism and beta-cell regulation as so make insulin secretion normal.
Alcohol-based extracts of Xia Ku Cao can reduce the level of blood sugar in normal mice (0.5g/kg, ig) as well as in mice of alloxan-induced diabetes (0.5, 0.25g/kg/d, ig). They can also counteract adrenalin-induced blood sugar increase, improve glucose tolerance, and increase the synthesis of hepatic glycogen (0.5, 0.25g/kg, ig).
4.Effects on blood rheology: Experiments show that Xia Ku Cao has the effect of improving some indexes of blood rheology.
5.Lower blood cholesterol:
some researches proved that traditional combinations composed of prunella vagaris and bloodsucker,Chinese Goldthread could applied for blood cholesterol adjustment of many animals,mouse,diabetic rabbit experiment resulted lower TG,VLDL and cholesterol level.
6. Good diuretic:
Prunella vulgaris rich in Potassium salt, so could be used as good diuretic.
Decoction of Prunella vulgaris showing diuretic effect, 50% concentration of water decoction make rabbit uterus strongly shrinking, make rabbit gut wriggle strongly.
7. Anti-bacteria:Bacteria control:
Prunella vulgaris decoction diluted in tube as 1:1280 ratio proved to be strong inhibition and control on diarrhea bacilli,dilution as 1:640 show strong control on tuberculin
Test proved that the decoction of Prunella valgaris shows inhibition on many bacateria, such as diarrhea,salmonella typhi,Vibrio cholerae,E.Coli, Proteus valgaris,Staphylococcus aureus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Alcohol decoction of Prunella valgaris shows inhibition on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, water decoction of Prunella valgaris show inhibition on fungi in test tube at rate 1:4.
8 Prunella vulgaris experiment on cardiac muscle: exciting action when low dosage, and make swing increase, on the opposite side, high dosage make swing decrease and show inhibiting effects.
9.Uterus and gut effects: Prunella vulgaris decoction show exciting effects on the uterus and gut of rabbit.
10. Anti-inflammation:
Prunella vulgaris show good function of anti-inflammation, this character comes from and related with the synthesis and higher secretion of adrenocortical hormones ,especially of the glucocorticoid(GCS).Its antiinflammatory effects has close relationships with adrenal gland glucocorticoid synthesis and excretory.
11. natural Immunosuppression: Applying Injection of Prunella vulgaris could make thymus gland and spleen atrophy,increase size of adrenal gland, also make the level of hydrocortison(cortisol) increase high, all these proved that Prunella vulgaris is a kind of good natural Immunosuppression.
12.Anti-Cancer:
Modern pharmaceutical studies showed prunella vagaris has some effects of anti tumor.Others consider it has a stronger toxic effectd and no clinical value. Experiment from Lee proved ursolic acid and its derivatives has strong cytotoxic effects on cell P388,L1810 and human tumor cell A-549.Experiment about the water-alcohol extracts of prunella vagaris on cell SGC-7901,5% concentration of this injection of prunella(IPV) shows strong inhibition in growth of SGC-7901 and induce it to death,and this experiment come into an conclusion that tumor cell induced death is one of the mechanism of prunella anti tumor effects.
13.Effects on bone marrow normoblast: Research has found that Xia Ku Cao with white flowers has some effect on the bone marrow normoblast in animals of low-oxygen environments; it can stabilize the fluctuation of normoblast blood islands.
14.Effects on the thymus, the spleen and the adrenal glands: Subcutaneous injection of Xia Ku Cao can significantly shrink animals thymus and spleen glands, and enlarge their adrenal glands. Furthermore, administered by abdominal injection, it can significantly raise the level of plasma cortisol.
15. Reducing Liver-fire to brighten vision:
For treatment of bloodshot eyes due to liver-fire, it is with Flos Chrysanthemi, Herba Taraxaci, etc.; for painful sensation of the eye-ball more severe at night, with Rhizoma Cyperi 30g, Radix Glycyrrhizae 6g, and 6g of their powder may be taken as a dose, twice a day; for painful sensation of the eye-balls due to deficiency of liver-Yin, with Radix Angelicae Sinensis, Radix Paeoniae Alba, etc.; for syndrome of hyperactivity of liver-Yang or flare-up of liver-fire, restlessness and insomnia, as a medicine frequently used, it may be used singly or combined with drugs for Chrysanthemi Indici, Concha Haliotidis, Radix Scutellariae, etc.
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).
16. Clearing away evil fire and resolving mass:
For the treatment of Scrofula, goiter, mastitis, mumps, etc. due to accumulation and retention of evil factor as phlegm-fire, it may be used as a single medicine for preparation of soft extract taken for a duration of time, or combined with Radix Scrophulariae, Bulbus Fritillariae Thunbergii, Thallus Laminariae seu Eckloniae, etc., which may be selected according to the syndrome of the specific patient.
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).Now, it is often indicated in hypertension, goiter, tuberculosis of lymph nodes, hyperplasia of the mammary gland, etc. Besides, it can also be used to treat pulmonary tuberculosis, lymphosarcoma, tumour of mediastinum, etc.
Suggestions and Administrations:
Medicinal virtues:
Prunella is taken in syrups for inward wounds and in unguents and plasters for outward wounds. It is like Bugle and answers the same purposes. It can be used with it or with Sanicle and other wound-herbs. It is good to wash wounds with it, or inject it into ulcers. Where sores, ulcers, inflammations or swellings need to be repressed, it will also be effectual. It stays the flux of blood from wounds and solders up their lips. It cleanses the foulness of sores and speedily heals them. It is a remedy for fresh wounds. Anoint the temples and forehead with the juice and the Oil of Roses to remove headache. The same mixed with Honey of Roses, cleanses and heals ulcers in the mouth and throat and those in the secret parts.
Modern uses: Self-heal is a valuable astringent and styptic. An infusion of 1 oz (30 g) of herb in 1 pt (568 ml) of boiling water is taken in doses of 2 floz (56 ml) for internal bleeding. This is also useful for piles and leucorrhoea, taken internally or injected. As a gargle it eases a sore throat.
Clinical application: Treating hepatitis.Treating pulmonary tuberculosis.It is highly effective in all symptoms of jaundice.
Dosage Suggestions: 10-15 g,tyhe decoction can be orally taken at a dosage of 6-15g and large dosages up to 30g.
Precautions: There have been reports of allergic reactions when the herb is used alone.
Cautions & Contraindications: This herb should be used with caution in cases with a weak stomach and spleen.Those with diarrhea, nausea, stomachache or vomiting should consult a physician before using Prunella. This herb could potentially interfere with actions of prescription blood thinners (Plavix, Coumadin, etc.).
Toxicity: Experiments show that at 10g/kg, Xia Ku Cao does not cause death to mice. Subacute toxicity tests on rats and dogs indicate that the herb does not affect their hemogram, nor does it harm the functions of the liver the kidney, or other vital internal organs. Ames test shows that the herb does not cause mutation.
Scientific References:
1.Prunella vulgaris All heal Selfheal Fruit-spike.immune stimulant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Claims & Warning:
Claims: Information this web site presented is meant for Nutritional Benefit and as an educational starting point only, for use in maintenance and promotion good health in cooperation with a common knowledge base reference...Furthermore,it based solely on the traditional and historic use or legend of a given herb from the garden of Adonis. Although every effort has been made to ensure its accurate, please note that some info may be outdated by more recent scientific developments......
Pharmakon Warning: The order of knowledge is not the transparent order of forms and ideas,as one might be tempted retrospectively to interpret it; it is the antidote....(Dissemination,Plato's Pharmacy,II.The Ingredients:Phantasms,Festivals,and Paints;138cf. Jacques Derrida.).
And as it happens,the technique of imitation,along with the production of the simulacrum,has always been in Plato's eyes manifestly magical,thaumaturgical:......and the same things appear bent and straight to those who view them in water and out,or concave and convex,owing to similar errors of vision about colors, and there is obviously every confusion of this sort in our souls.And so scene painting (skiagraphia) in its exploitation of this weakness of four nature falls nothing short of witchcraft (thaumatopoia), and so do jugglery and many other such contrivances.(Republic X,602c-d;cf.also 607c).
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Serie No.:R039.Basic Data Sheet Download
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seminal trace...Selfheal Fruit-spike.10:1Extract.Spica Prunellae,Prunella spike,Selfheal,Xiakucao,Prunella spike,Self Heal,All-Heal, Hook-Heal,Selfheal spike,Bang Zhutou Cao,Denglong Tou Cao,Common Selfheal Fruit-Spike is the dried fruit-spike of Prunella vulgaris L...
Botanical Info of Prunella vulgaris:
Prunella Species:
Actions: Alterative; Antibacterial; Antibiotic; Antipyretic; Antiseptic; Antispasmodic; Astringent; Carminative; Diuretic; Febrifuge; Hypotensive; Stomachic; Styptic; Tonic; Vermifuge; Vulnerary.
Scientific References:
Claims & Warning:
