Prunella Spike (Xiakucao)
| Pharmaceutical Name: | Spica Prunellae |
| Botanical Name: | Prunella Vulgaris L. |
| Common Name: | Prunella Spike Selfheal Spike |
| Source of Earliest Record: | Shennong Bencao Jing |
| Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: | The spikes are gathered in summer and dried in the sun. |
| Properties and Taste: | Bitter, pungent and cold |
| Meridian: | Liver and gall bladder |
| Functions: | To clear the fire in the liver To dissipate accumulation of nodules |
| Indications and Combinations: | 1. Flaring up of the liver fire manifested as red, painful, swollen and watery eyes, headaches and dizziness. *Use with Sea-ear shell (Shijueming) and Chrysanthemum flower (Juhua). 2. Accumulation of phlegm-fire manifested as scrofula, lipoma, swollen glands or goiter. *Use with Oyster shell (Muli), Scrophularia (Xuanshen) and Laminaria (Kunbu). |
| Dosage: | 10-15 g |
| Cautions: | This herb should be used with caution in cases with a weak stomach and spleen. |