Traditional Chinese Medicine/Xia Ku Cao

Name Means:

• Xia-Summer
• Ku-Withered
• Cao-Grass/Weed

English Name:

• prunella
• selfheal spike

Chinese Name:

• 夏枯草 (Pinyin: xià kū căo)

Latin Name:

• Spica Prunellae Vulgaris

Modern Research

• Xia Ku Cao is "one of the most important herbal medicines in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis, mastitis, infectious hepatitis, and hypertension".
• It contains several active components including "triterpenic acids and their glycosidic derivatives, phenolic acids, and saponins". Among these components, triterpenic acids "have demonstrated antiinflammatory, diuretic, antitumor, hepatoprotective, and anti-HIV properties".

Taste & Temperature:

• Ku-Bitter
• Xin-Spicy
• Han-Cold

Channels:

• Foot Shao Yang of Gall Bladder
• Foot Jue Yin of Liver

Actions & Indications:

• Clear Heat & Drain Fire
• Clear Liver Heat, brighten eyes
• clear Heat and dissipate nodules
• treat hypertension due to Liver Fire, Liver Yang Rising
• treat hypertension

Contraindications:

• Spleen/Stomach Deficient Cold

Caution:

• Spleen/Stomach deficiency

Dosage:

• 2-5 qian (9-15 grams)

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• Qing Re Xia Huo
• TCM Materia Medica