Heal All, Xià Kū Cǎo, 夏枯草, Spica Prunellae Vulgaris

Disclaimer    For educational purposes only.  Do not use as medical advice

HealthBotanyChinese MedicineCaution
Health Benefits
For: HIV • Colon cancer • Tumor • Hyperglycemia • Hypertension • Cholesterol • Endometriosis • Allergy • UVA Radiation • Herpes HSV-1 and HSV-2 • Wounds (cuts and burns)

The leaves are applied to wounds to promote healing, treats mouth sores and herpes (HSV-1 and HSV-2).  Prepared salves are available online. Prunella vulgaris also has antiestrogenic activities that can help prevent endometriosis and uterine receptivity. [ref]  Fruit spikes are used in Chinese medicine to treat tuberculosis and hypertension.[ref]  Study show prunella vulgaris significantly decreased total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL-cholesterol, increased the HDL-cholesterol, and may mitigate the onset of diabetic atherosclerosis.[ref]  
Attributes: Antioxidant • Hypoglycemic • Antiestrogen • Anti-allergy • Antibiotic • Antiseptic • Anti-inflammation • Antimicrobial • Antiviral • Hypotensive • UV Protective
Products (online examples)

Tincture

Dried - Flowers

Capsules

Skin Cream

Powder

Salve

Beverage

Herpes Antivirus
Research (sample):

Articles:

Constituents: 

Ursolic acid • Caryophyllin • Prunellin • Triterpenoid • Coumarin • Oleanolic acid • Maslinic acid • rosmarinic acid • Cyanidin • Rutin • Hyperin • Alpha-anisylacetone • Delphinidin • D-Camphor • Fenchone • Vitamin B1, C, K • Beta- carotene • Resins • Tannin • Alkaloid • Volatile oil

Ursolic acid inhibits cancer, Oleanolic acid is Anti-HIV, Maslinic acid is anti-colon cancer and rosmarinic acid is antitumor and anti-metastatic. [ref]
Remarks
At home, Prunella Vulgaris is the go to herb after too much fried chicken or other greasy food.  Greasy food "heats/inflames" organs and often results in sore throat and other heat signs.   Grandma would boil a handful of the herb in water and have us drink it as tea.  During seasonal allergy season, I add the herbs to my daily tea mix.

Photos (Click to enlarge)
Fun Facts
Other Names: Prunella vulgaris L. • Heal all • Self heal • Mountain self heal • Narrowleaf • Lanceleaf selfheal
Plant Family: Labiatae (Mint)
It is a common plant found on roadsides and fields throughout North America, Asia and Europe.  Prunella Vulgaris is edible.  It's used in salads, stews, soup, or made as a tea.  It is applied externally for cuts and burns.
Species
The following are the 3 species of prunella vulgaris.  Other than location, no notable variation in the 3 in terms of usage, benefits, or cautions were found.

Prunella vulgaris ssp. aleutica– Aleutian selfheal - Native to Alaska.

Prunella vulgaris ssp. lanceolata – lance selfheal

Prunella vulgaris ssp. vulgaris L. – common selfheal
Growth

Buy seeds if you don't have it in your yard.

Seedcorner.com: seeds
Heal All can be found in the following locations.  Drill down via USDA Interactive Map:

USA: All states. USDA Zones: All. 

Native: Japan, Central China, Eastern Russia

Habitats: Gardens, roadsides, moist fields, pastures

Category: Clear Heat Drain Fire 
English: Heal All    Pinyin:  Xia Ku Cao      Pharmaceutical: Spica Prunellae Vulgaris  
Organs: Liver • Gallbladder      Temperature: Cold    

Taste: Bitter • Pungent      Toxicity: None noted  
Patterns: Liver fire • Ascending yang  
Actions:  Treat phlegm fire • Clear liver fire • Brighten eyes • Reduce throat nodules
Indications: Hypertension • Nodules - especially in the throat and Upper Jiao • Heat • Liver deficiency • Red and swollen eyes • Evening eye pain
Contraindications: Autoimmune disorder • Allergic to mint • Spleen deficiency • Stomach deficiency
Typical Dosage: Spikes and flowers: 9-15g in formulas; up to 30 g when used alone. Leaves: applied to wounds          Guidelines
Parts Used: Spikes • Flowers • Leaves  
Other:
Combine With Purpose
Ju Hua + Shi Jue Ming Vertigo, headaches, red eye from liver fire
Xiang Fu Watery and painful eye
Dang Gui + Bai Shao Liver deficiency eye pain in the evenings
Xuan Shen + Mu Li Phlegm fire nodules
Chai Hu Obstructed liver qi neck nodules
Formulas with Xia Ku Cao:
Long Dan Bi Yuan Fang

Alert
Be cautions with all medicine.
  • Potential allergy: If you are allergic to mint, this plant is part of Lamiaceae (Mint) Family.
Potential Drug Interactions

Herbal medicine may interact negatively with pharma drugs and other herbs.  Examples below:

Herbs: ♦ Anticoagulants: American Ginseng, Arnica, Rou Gui, Chamomile, Dan Shen, Dang Gui, Deertongue, Sheng Jiang, Goji Berry, Ginko Nutes, Notoginseng, Peach Kernel, Hong Hua, Sweet Clover, Vanilla Grass

Pharma Drugs:♦ Anticoagulants: asprin , clopidogrel (Plavix) , Coumadin , dipyridamole , enoxaparin , Heparin

Information in this post came from many sources, including class notes, practitioners, websites, webinars, books, magazines, and editor's personal experience.  While the original source often came from historical Chinese texts,  variations may result from the numerous English translations.   Always consult a doctor prior to using these drugs.  The information here is strictly for educational purposes. 

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