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)

back to:
 * ../Qing Re Xia Huo/
 * ../TCM Materia Medica/