Prunella, Self-heal, Xia Ku Cao 夏枯草

Also called Consolida minor
Xia Ku Cao (TCM)

New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563

Kurtzes Handtbuchlein, Ryff, 1599

Dietrich, Flora regni borussici, 1834

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Botanical name:
Prunella vulgaris

Parts used:
Flowering tops; Herb

Temperature & Taste:
Cool, dry. (Warm in the West) Sweet, Bitter
Bitter, Cleansing, Binding

Classifications:
2D ATTENUATERS OF CONGEALED BLOOD
2T. GLUTINATE

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Uses:
1. Clears Liver Heat (TCM, West):
-red, swollen, painful eyes
-Headache, Dizziness, Convulsions, Vertigo, Epilepsy
-Hepatitis
-Hypertension; it has also been regarded as effective for Hypotension

2. Clears Heat and Poison:
-Toxic Sores, Abscesses, Carbuncles
-also taken to prevent Infection during epidemics including Measles
-Dysentery (TCM)
-Viral infections including Herpes, Glandular Fever, Mumps, HIV etc.

3. Clears Heat and Poison, Resolves Masses:
-phlegm and heat-type Scrofula, Goiter, Lymphadenitis, Swollen Glands in the neck, and various other nodes and swellings
-used as a stand-alone herb for Scrofula, including those that have ruptured or ulcerated
-special for Mastitis, Abscesses, Tumors and Cancer of the Breast

4. Clears Heat, Clears Stasis, Promotes Healing:
-A valuable Vulnerary (Wound herb); long used internally or externally for all sorts of Wounds, Bruises, internal Bleeding
-internal or external Ulcers, including Ulcers of the mouth, anus, vagina, and Lungs.

5. Moves the Blood, Clears Blood Stasis:
-Amenorrhea, sluggish Menstruation
-‘Dissolves congealed blood’. (Salmon)

6. Clears Heat and Damp, Promotes Urine:
-Difficult Urination and Edema.
-‘helps all joint aches’ and ‘is excellent for all griefs of the Sinews’ (Culpeper); Gout and Arthritis (TCM, West).
-In Europe it has also been used for Jaundice, Gravel and Stones.

7. Clears Heat, Stops Cough:
-‘A Great Pectoral’ (Salmon)
-heat-type Cough and Lung disease

8. Kills Worms.

9. Externally:
-topically for all inflammations (plaster)
-topically to minor skin Sores, Infections and Rashes
-used for various Wounds and Ulcers (plaster, or fresh herbs beaten and applied)
-topically applied to the bites of Rabid Dogs and other venomous Bites. (plaster, or fresh herb beaten and applied)
-applied to Cramps, Pain and Spasms of the Sinews and Tendons. (the ointment or plaster is applied topically)
-as a mouth wash or gargle for all sores and inflammations of the Mouth, Gums and Throat.

Dose:
It is drank as tea during the summer to clear heat.
DECOCTION or LONG INFUSION: 6–15 grams
POWDER: 1–4 grams

Substitute:
... available in PRO version

Main Combinations:
1. Liver Heat:
i. Self Heal with ... available in PRO version
ii. Self Heal with ... available in PRO version
2. Hyperthyroidism, Liver Heat, Self Heal with ... available in PRO version
3. Scrofula, Lymphatic swelling:
i. Self Heal with ... available in PRO version
ii. Self Heal with ... available in PRO version
iii. Self Heal with ... available in PRO version
iv. Self Heal with ... available in PRO version
4. Hypertension:
i. Self Heal with ... available in PRO version
ii. Self Heal with ... available in PRO version
5. A wash for Wounds and Ulcers, Self Heal with ... available in PRO version
6. Fractures, combine Self Heal with ... available in PRO version
7. Plaster for Dislocations and Trauma of the Joints, Self Heal with ... available in PRO version

Major Formulas:
Decoction of Self Heal
Decoction of Self Heal and Kelp
Decoction of Timaei (modified)
Powder for Cancerous Ulcers (Gabelhover)

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Cautions:
Generally Safe.
1. In TCM it is not used for marked weakness.
2. It may lower Thyroid function and aggravate Hypothyroid conditions.

Main Preparations used:
Distilled Water of the Herb, Conserve of the Flowers