Sunday, December 27, 2020

Lycopus, bugleweed, water horehound

 Alright, there are 3 bugle weeds used herbally.... I think I should break this down a bit more than MM does. In fact, the one he is referencing is not one of the 3 mainly used - I believe he said it was Lycopus asperea. Good for thyroid stress, palpitations, pulmonary stress, good for PMS, etc. So, unless you live in Arizona, anything you buy or forage for may be:

Lycopus lucidus

Medicinal use of Bugleweed: The plant is cardiotonic, weakly diuretic and hepatic. It is said to stimulate the blood circulation, break up clots, and soothe the liver. A decoction is used in the treatment of abdominal distension, abscesses, menstrual pain, painful injuries, incontinence and various other ailments. The plant is harvested as it comes into flower and is dried for later use.

Lycopus uniflorus

Medicinal use of Bugleweed: The whole plant is antitussive and sedative.

Lycopus virginicus

Medicinal use of Bugleweed: Bugleweed has sedative properties and is used in modern herbalism principally to treat an overactive thyroid gland and the racing heartbeat that often accompanies this condition. The whole plant is used as an astringent, hypoglycaemic, mild narcotic and mild sedative. It also slows and strengthens heart contractions. The plant has been shown to be of value in the treatment of hyperthyroidism, it is also used in the treatment of coughs, bleeding from the lungs and consumption, excessive menstruation etc. It should not be prescribed for pregnant women or patients with hypothyroidism. The plant is harvested as flowering begins and can be use fresh or dried, in an infusion or as a tincture. The root has been chewed, a portion swallowed and the rest applied externally in the treatment of snakebites.

From  SPECIFIC INDICATIONS FOR HERBS IN GENERAL USE Third edition Michael Moore:

LYCOPUS 

Exophthalmic goiter from long-term functional hyperthyroidism with tachycardia and mild dyspnoea. Chronic epistaxis. Chronic bronchitis. Hemoptysis. Tachycardia with circulatory excitement, anxiety; supportive to other measures for anxiety syndromes in chronic cardiopathies; passive capillary hemorrhage; tobacco heart; chronic dilated cardiovascular hypertrophy; palpitations after febrile infection or from hiatus hernia or gastritis. General thyroid hyperfunction; functional exophthalmus hyperfunction. Chronic passive hematuria. Blood serum levels: creatinine, moderate elevation, renal cause. 

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