Ajuga, Bugle

Herbarum Vivae Eicones, Otto Brunfels, 1530

Icones Plantarum Medcio-oeconomico, Vietz, 1806

Uses:

1. Clears Heat and Swelling, Moves the Blood, Clears Poison:

-Trauma, Bruising and all pains coming from Congealed or Stagnant Blood.
-internal and external Wounds including Fractures and Dislocations.
-Abscesses, Skin diseases
-Snake Bite and other Toxins.
-“it dissolves and discusses congealed and clotted Blood”. (The Compleat Herbal, Tournefort, 1719)

2. Clears Liver Heat:

-Liver-heat disorders with Red Eyes, Headache, Restlessness, Irritability, Insomnia, etc.
-Fever, Sore Throat, Tonsillitis, Inflammations
-Hypertension, Hyperthyroidism

3. Benefits the Bones:

-Rickets

4. Externally:

-externally for all Sores, Wounds, Burns, Ulcers, including those which are Old and Festering (ointment, poultice)
-topically for Gangrenes and Fistulas
-topically for Fractures and Dislocations
-gargle for inflammation of the Mouth and Throat
-“a present Remedy for the Apthae and creeping Ulcers in the Mouth”. (The Compleat Herbal, Tournefort, 1719)

Main Combinations:

1. For Liver Heat, or for Wounds and Trauma, combine with Self Heal
2. Internal Bruising and Trauma:
i. Bugle, Comfrey, Betony, Burnet, Plantain (as in Syrup of Comfrey)
ii. Bugle, Agrimony, Mugwort, St. John’;s wort, Comfrey, Tormentil (as in Decoction for Wounds)
iii. Bugle with Madder, Burdock root, Rhubarb, St. John’s wort, Bugle, Sanicle
iv. Bugle with Saxifrage, Ladies Mantle, Agrimony, Comfrey, St. Johns wort, Plantain, Nettle, Tormentil
v. Bugle with Saxifrage, Elecampane, Comfrey, Tormentil, Licorice, Sanicle, Plantain, St. Johns wort, Agrimony, Bugle, Fennel seed
3. Strengthen the Heart, Bugle with Motherwort, Lily of the Valley, Hawthorn berry
4. Ointment for Ulcers and Wounds, Bugle, Sanicle, Scabious, boiled in Hog lard until they are crisp. (Parkinson)

Major Formulas:

Syrup of Comfrey
Decoction for Wounds