Introduction of Xia Ku Cao: Common Selfheal Fruit-Spike.
✵The article records the herb Common Selfheal Fruit-Spike—its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, botanical sources as defined in classical herbal texts—two medicinal species: (1) Prunella vulgaris L. and (2) Prunella asiatica Nakai, and two ornamental species: (3) Prunella grandiflora and (4) Prunella hispida Benth.—with a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of these four plant species; the morphological and quality features of the herb Common Selfheal Fruit-Spike; its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Spica Prunellae (Common Selfheal Fruit-Spike)
Pinyin Name: Xià Kū Cǎo
English Name: Common Selfheal Fruit-Spike
Latin Name:Spica Prunellae Properties and Flavor: Cold, pungent, bitter
Brief Introduction:Spica Prunellae is the dried fruit-spike of Prunella vulgaris L. (family Lamiaceae), used (1) to clear liver fire—for the treatment of acute conjunctivitis, headache, and dizziness—and (2) to dissipate nodules—for treating acute mastitis, mumps, scrofula, and goiter. The herb is commonly known as Spica Prunellae, Common Selfheal Fruit-Spike, or Xià Kū Cǎo.
Botanical Source:Spica Prunellae (Common Selfheal Fruit-Spike) is the dried fruit-spike of Prunella vulgaris L., a perennial herb of the genus Prunella, family Lamiaceae (formerly Labiatae, the mint family), order Lamiales.
Classical herbal works define the herb Common Selfheal Fruit-Spike (Xià Kū Cǎo) as the fruit-spike of plants in the Lamiaceae family (formerly Labiatae, the mint family), specifically (1) Prunella vulgaris L. and (2) Prunella asiatica Nakai. These two commonly used medicinal species—as well as two ornamental species, Prunella grandiflora and Prunella hispida Benth.—are described below:
(1) Prunella vulgaris L.
Botanical Description:Prunella vulgaris L. is a perennial herb of the family Lamiaceae (formerly Labiatae, the mint family) and genus Prunella. It is commonly known as Common Selfheal, Xià Kū Cǎo, or Mài Suì Xià Kū Cǎo ("wheat-stalk Prunella"). Stems grow 15–30 cm tall. The rhizome is creeping, with fibrous roots arising at the nodes. Stems are ascending; the lower portion is decumbent and lies flat on the ground, branching profusely from the base, obtusely prismatic, shallowly grooved, violet-red (purplish-red), and sparsely covered with coarse hairs or nearly glabrous. Leaves are opposite and petiolate; petioles measure 0.7–2.5 cm long and gradually shorten upward; leaf blades are ovate-oblong or ovoid, variable in size (1.5–6 cm long × 0.7–2.5 cm wide), with an obtuse apex and a circular, truncate, or broadly cuneate base that extends into the petiole and forms narrow wing-like margins; margins bear inconspicuous, slightly undulate teeth or are nearly entire.
Verticillasters are densely arranged into terminal, spikelike inflorescences 2–4 cm long—shorter during flowering and gradually elongating thereafter. Floral bracts are reniform or horizontally elliptical, with an acute tip. The calyx is campanulate (bell-shaped), up to 10 mm long, bilabiate: the upper lip is flattened and nearly truncate, bearing three inconspicuous short teeth—the middle tooth is broad and prominent—while the lower lip is two-lobed, with lanceolate lobes. During fruiting, the calyx closes due to oblique extension of the two lower-lip teeth.
The corolla is purple, bluish-violet (blue-purple), or reddish-violet, approximately 13 mm long—slightly exceeding the calyx but never reaching twice its length. The middle lobe of the lower lip is broad and prominent; margins bear fimbriate lobelets. There are four stamens, didynamous; filaments are bifid at the apex—only one lobe develops fully and bears a two-loculed anther, each locule is biforked. The ovary is glabrous.
Nutlets are tawny (yellowish-brown), oblong-ovate, 1.8 mm long, and faintly grooved. Flowering occurs from April to June; fruiting from June to August.
Ecological Environment:Prunella vulgaris L. grows in wastelands, along roadsides, in grassy hillside areas, and at woodland edges.
Growth Characteristics:Prunella vulgaris prefers a warm, humid climate and is cold-tolerant. Soil requirements are not strict, but sandy loam with good drainage is optimal for cultivation; heavy clay soils or low-lying wetlands are unsuitable.
Characteristics of the Herb: The dried fruit-spike is rod-shaped and slightly compressed, 1.5–8 cm long and 0.8–1.4 cm in diameter, pale brown or reddish-brown; a few specimens retain a short stalk at the base. The entire spike consists of persistent bracts and calyces arranged in 4–13 whorls. Each whorl bears two opposite, transversely reniform bracts—approximately 8 mm long and 1.2 cm wide—membranous, with an acuminately caudate apex, conspicuous veins, and sparse white coarse hairs on the outer surface. Each bract subtends 2–3 flowers; the corolla usually abscises, but residual corollas measure about 13 mm in length. The persistent calyx is bilabiate: the upper lip is 3-toothed; the lower lip is 2-toothed and closed. Four nutlets are enclosed within. The nutlets are ovoid, with white protrusions at the apex; upon contact with water, a slimy mucilaginous layer forms on their surface. The herb is light and pliable, not easily broken. It has a faint, aromatic odor and a mild taste.
Pharmacological Actions: (1) Antihypertensive effect; (2) Antibacterial effect: Preliminary in vitro tests indicate that the aqueous decoction of Spica Prunellae inhibits Shigella dysenteriae (dysentery bacillus), Salmonella typhi (typhoid bacillus), Vibrio cholerae, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus spp., and Streptococcus spp., exhibiting a broad antibacterial spectrum; (3) Uterotonic effect: The decoction induces tetanic contraction in isolated rabbit uteri.
Medicinal Efficacy: Clears liver fire, brightens the eyes, dissipates nodules and stagnation, detoxifies, and reduces swelling. It is indicated for red, painful, photophobic eyes with lacrimation; headache and dizziness; tinnitus; scrofula; gallstones; mumps; mastitis; breast abscesses; breast cancer; goiter; lymph node tuberculosis; mammary gland hyperplasia; hypertension; facial paralysis; muscle and bone pain; carbuncles, furuncles, and toxic swellings; pulmonary tuberculosis; acute icteric infectious hepatitis; acute or chronic hepatitis; metrorrhagia; and pathological leukorrhea.
Administration of Spica Prunellae (Xià Kū Cǎo):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Spica Prunellae (Xià Kū Cǎo)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 9–15 grams, decocted in water; (2) Internally:water decoction, 2–5 qián (approximately 6–15 grams), decocted in water; also prepared as paste, pills, or powder. External use: wash affected areas with decoction or apply mashed herb topically; (3) Internally: water decoction, 6–15 grams; higher doses up to 30 g may be used clinically. Also prepared as paste, pills, or powder. External use: wash with decoction or apply mashed herb topically.
(2) Prunella asiatica Nakai.
Botanical Description:Prunella asiatica Nakai is a perennial herb of the family Lamiaceae (formerly Labiatae, the mint family) and genus Prunella. It is also known as Prunella vulgaris L. var. albiflora Koidz., Prunella vulgaris L. subsp. asiatica (Nakai) Hara, Shān Bō Cài ("mountain spinach"), or Cháng Guān Xià Kū Cǎo ("long-corolla Prunella"). This species closely resembles P. vulgaris L., differing primarily in having a stouter habit and a significantly longer corolla—extending well beyond the calyx, approximately twice its length (18–21 mm).
Ecological Environment:Prunella asiatica Nakai grows in wastelands, along roadsides, and in grassy hillside habitats.
Characteristics of the Herb: The fruit-spike closely resembles that of Prunella vulgaris L., but the residual corolla is longer—18–21 mm.
(3) Prunella grandiflora.
Botanical Description:Prunella grandiflora is a perennial herb of the family Lamiaceae (formerly Labiatae, the mint family) and genus Prunella, commonly known as large-flowered selfheal, big-flowered Prunella, or Dà Huā Xià Kū Cǎo ("big-flower Prunella"). Rhizomes creep underground, bearing fibrous roots at the nodes. Stems are ascending, 15–60 cm tall, obtusely quadrangular, and flocculently hirsute. Leaves are ovate-oblong (3.5–4.5 cm long × 2–2.5 cm wide), with an obtuse apex, orbicular base, and entire margins; both surfaces are sparsely hirsute, though abaxial hairs often become deciduous; marginal setae (trichomes) are present; petioles are 2.5–4 cm long, flat in cross-section, and bristly on both dorsal and ventral surfaces. The pair of leaves immediately below the inflorescence are oblong-lanceolate and sessile.
Verticillasters are densely aggregated into terminal, oblong inflorescences ~4.5 cm long, not directly subtended by foliage leaves. Each verticillaster is subtended by broad, cordate bracts—apex acute and gradually attenuate upward—membranous, with radial venation forming reticulate patterns extending from the margin toward the center; the outer surface bears sparse pilose hairs along the veins and marginal setae (trichomes); the inner surface is glabrous. Pedicels are short (~1 mm), flocculently hirsute. The calyx—including its teeth—is approximately 8 mm long; sparse hirsute hairs grow along the veins on the outer surface, while the inner surface is glabrous. The hypanthium (calyx tube) measures 3 mm in length. The limb is bilabiate (two-lipped): the upper lip is orbicular—about 5 mm in diameter—with an orbicular apex bearing three broadly triangular teeth, each with a minute spinose tip; the lateral teeth are slightly longer. The lower lip is oblong (6 mm long × 3 mm wide), two-lobed, with lobes extending to the mid-length of the lip; the lobes are lanceolate and terminate in spinose tips.
The corolla is blue, 20–27 mm long. The corolla tube is 9 mm long, curved, and bears inconspicuous paleate trichomes near the base on the inner surface. The limb is bilabiate (two-lipped): the upper lip is oblong (12 mm long × 7 mm wide), recurved (curving downward); the lower lip is broad and prominent, three-lobed—the middle lobe is largest, with a corrugated margin—and the lateral lobes are pendulous. There are four stamens; the anterior pair is longer and all filaments extend beneath the upper lip. Filaments are free, oblate, and glabrous, with an inconspicuous obtuse tooth at the apex. The anthers are two-loculed, with divergent (divaricate) cell apices. The style is filiform, exserted beyond the stamens, with a bifid apex; the lobes are subulate (awl-shaped). The floral disc is nearly flat-topped and undulate.
The nutlets are orbicular, slightly tuberculate, and distinctly grooved along the margin and on the dorsal surface. Flowering occurs in September; fruiting follows in late September and October.
Ecological Environment:Prunella grandiflora thrives in cool, humid environments. It is not particular about soil type and exhibits cold tolerance.
(4) Prunella hispida Benth.
Botanical Description:Prunella hispida Benth. is a perennial herb of the family Lamiaceae (formerly Labiatae, the mint family) and genus Prunella. Synonyms include Prunella stolonifera H. Lév. et Vaniot, Prunella vulgaris L. var. hispida (Benth.) Benth.. It is also known as hard-hairy Prunella, rigid-hairy Prunella, or Yìng Máo Xià Kū Cǎo ("hard-hairy Prunella"). The underground rhizome is creeping and bears dense fibrous roots. Stems are erect, though the basal portion often lies decumbent on the ground; they measure 15–30 cm tall, are obtusely quadrangular and striate, and densely covered with appressed hirsute hairs—especially at the nodes. Leaves are ovate to ovate-lanceolate (1.5–3 cm long × 1–1.3 cm wide), with an acute apex and a rounded base; margins are sinuolate-serrate to crenate. Both surfaces are densely covered with nodose hirsute hairs—sometimes partially deciduous. Lateral veins occur in 2–3 pairs and are inconspicuous. Petioles are 0.5–1.5 cm long, nearly flat, with inconspicuous narrow wings near the base and covered in hirsute hairs. The terminal pair of leaves subtends the inflorescence directly or via a very short internode; these leaves are subsessile.
Verticillasters typically bear six flowers, densely aggregated into terminal spikes (~2 cm long × 2–3 cm wide). Each verticillaster is subtended by broad, nearly cordate bracts (0.8–1 cm wide), with an acuminate apex terminating in a 2-mm spinose tip. The outer surface is densely covered with nodose hirsute hairs; the inner surface is glabrous; the margin is distinctly strigose. Bracts are membranous, with radial venation arising from the base and forming a reticulate network toward the apex—more or less conspicuous. Pedicels are extremely short (less than 1 mm), bearing bristles.
The calyx is purple, tubular-campanulate (tubular-bell-shaped), with teeth ~10 mm long. The dorsal and ventral surfaces are oblate, bearing 10 prominent longitudinal veins interconnected by reticulate venation; veins are conspicuously covered with nodose hirsute hairs. The tooth margins bear cilia. The limb is bilabiate (two-lipped): the upper lip is flat, broad, and orbicular (6 mm long × ~5 mm wide), with a nearly truncate apex bearing three spinose teeth—the middle tooth is broad and prominent, the lateral teeth are narrower and smaller. The lower lip is narrow (~3 mm wide), two-parted, with lobes extending to the mid-length of the lip; the lobes are lanceolate and terminate in spinose tips.
The corolla is dark purple to bluish-violet (blue-purple), 15–18 mm long. The corolla tube is 10 mm long, ~1.5 mm wide at the base, gradually widening upward, and slightly constricted at the throat (~4 mm wide). The outer surface is glabrous. Near the base on the inner surface lies a faint ring of paleate (scale-like) trichomes. The limb is bilabiate (two-lipped): the upper lip is oblong (~5 mm long × ~4 mm wide), carinate (keeled), concave, and emarginate at the apex; the keel bears a distinct band of stiff hairs; the inner surface is glabrous. The lower lip is broad and prominent (5 mm long × 6 mm wide), three-lobed—the middle lobe orbicular with a corrugated margin—and the lateral lobes are oblong, small, and pendulous. There are four stamens; the anterior pair is longer and extends beyond the corolla tube. Filaments are free, oblate, and glabrous. The anterior filaments bear conspicuous terminal subulate (awl-shaped) lobes—longer than the anthers—whereas the posterior pair lacks prominent lobes. The anthers are two-loculed, with divergent (divaricate) cell apices. The style is filiform (threadlike), slightly extending beyond the stamens; the apex is equally 2-lobed. The floral disc is nearly flat-topped. The ovary is tan (chocolate brown) and glabrous.
Nutlets are ovate-bead-shaped, 1.5 mm long and 1 mm wide; the dorsal and ventral surfaces are slightly flattened, the apical end is perfectly rounded, brown, and glabrous. Its flowering and fruiting period extends from June to January of the following year.
Ecological Environment: Prunella hispida Benth. grows on roadsides, forest edges, and hillside grasslands at altitudes of 1,500–3,800 meters above sea level.
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References:
1.Introduction of Xia Ku Cao:Common Selfheal Fruit-Spike.
✵The article records the herb Common Selfheal Fruit-Spike—its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, botanical sources as defined in classical herbal texts—two medicinal species: (1) Prunella vulgaris L. and (2) Prunella asiatica Nakai, and two ornamental species: (3) Prunella grandiflora and (4) Prunella hispida Benth.—with a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of these four plant species; the morphological and quality features of the herb Common Selfheal Fruit-Spike; its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Xià Kū Cǎo
Botanical Description: Prunella vulgaris L. is a perennial herb of the family Lamiaceae (formerly Labiatae, the mint family) and genus Prunella. It is commonly known as Common Selfheal, Xià Kū Cǎo, or Mài Suì Xià Kū Cǎo ("wheat-stalk Prunella"). Stems grow 15–30 cm tall. The rhizome is creeping, with fibrous roots arising at the nodes. Stems are ascending; the lower portion is decumbent and lies flat on the ground, branching profusely from the base, obtusely prismatic, shallowly grooved, violet-red (purplish-red), and sparsely covered with coarse hairs or nearly glabrous. Leaves are opposite and petiolate; petioles measure 0.7–2.5 cm long and gradually shorten upward; leaf blades are ovate-oblong or ovoid, variable in size (1.5–6 cm long × 0.7–2.5 cm wide), with an obtuse apex and a circular, truncate, or broadly cuneate base that extends into the petiole and forms narrow wing-like margins; margins bear inconspicuous, slightly undulate teeth or are nearly entire.
Verticillasters are densely arranged into terminal, spikelike inflorescences 2–4 cm long—shorter during flowering and gradually elongating thereafter. Floral bracts are reniform or horizontally elliptical, with an acute tip. The calyx is campanulate (bell-shaped), up to 10 mm long, bilabiate: the upper lip is flattened and nearly truncate, bearing three inconspicuous short teeth—the middle tooth is broad and prominent—while the lower lip is two-lobed, with lanceolate lobes. During fruiting, the calyx closes due to oblique extension of the two lower-lip teeth.
The corolla is purple, bluish-violet (blue-purple), or reddish-violet, approximately 13 mm long—slightly exceeding the calyx but never reaching twice its length. The middle lobe of the lower lip is broad and prominent; margins bear fimbriate lobelets. There are four stamens, didynamous; filaments are bifid at the apex—only one lobe develops fully and bears a two-loculed anther, each locule is biforked. The ovary is glabrous.
Characteristics of the Herb: The dried fruit-spike is rod-shaped and slightly compressed, 1.5–8 cm long and 0.8–1.4 cm in diameter, pale brown or reddish-brown; a few specimens retain a short stalk at the base. The entire spike consists of persistent bracts and calyces arranged in 4–13 whorls. Each whorl bears two opposite, transversely reniform bracts—approximately 8 mm long and 1.2 cm wide—membranous, with an acuminately caudate apex, conspicuous veins, and sparse white coarse hairs on the outer surface. Each bract subtends 2–3 flowers; the corolla usually abscises, but residual corollas measure about 13 mm in length. The persistent calyx is bilabiate: the upper lip is 3-toothed; the lower lip is 2-toothed and closed. Four nutlets are enclosed within. The nutlets are ovoid, with white protrusions at the apex; upon contact with water, a slimy mucilaginous layer forms on their surface. The herb is light and pliable, not easily broken. It has a faint, aromatic odor and a mild taste.
Pharmacological Actions: (1) Antihypertensive effect; (2) Antibacterial effect: Preliminary in vitro tests indicate that the aqueous decoction of Spica Prunellae inhibits Shigella dysenteriae (dysentery bacillus), Salmonella typhi (typhoid bacillus), Vibrio cholerae, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus spp., and Streptococcus spp., exhibiting a broad antibacterial spectrum; (3) Uterotonic effect: The decoction induces tetanic contraction in isolated rabbit uteri.
Medicinal Efficacy: Clears liver fire, brightens the eyes, dissipates nodules and stagnation, detoxifies, and reduces swelling. It is indicated for red, painful, photophobic eyes with lacrimation; headache and dizziness; tinnitus; scrofula; gallstones; mumps; mastitis; breast abscesses; breast cancer; goiter; lymph node tuberculosis; mammary gland hyperplasia; hypertension; facial paralysis; muscle and bone pain; carbuncles, furuncles, and toxic swellings; pulmonary tuberculosis; acute icteric infectious hepatitis; acute or chronic hepatitis; metrorrhagia; and pathological leukorrhea.
Botanical Description: Prunella asiatica Nakai is a perennial herb of the family Lamiaceae (formerly Labiatae, the mint family) and genus Prunella. It is also known as Prunella vulgaris L. var. albiflora Koidz., Prunella vulgaris L. subsp. asiatica (Nakai) Hara, Shān Bō Cài ("mountain spinach"), or Cháng Guān Xià Kū Cǎo ("long-corolla Prunella"). This species closely resembles P. vulgaris L., differing primarily in having a stouter habit and a significantly longer corolla—extending well beyond the calyx, approximately twice its length (18–21 mm).
Ecological Environment: Prunella asiatica Nakai grows in wastelands, along roadsides, and in grassy hillside habitats.
Botanical Description: Prunella grandiflora is a perennial herb of the family Lamiaceae (formerly Labiatae, the mint family) and genus Prunella, commonly known as large-flowered selfheal, big-flowered Prunella, or Dà Huā Xià Kū Cǎo ("big-flower Prunella"). Rhizomes creep underground, bearing fibrous roots at the nodes. Stems are ascending, 15–60 cm tall, obtusely quadrangular, and flocculently hirsute. Leaves are ovate-oblong (3.5–4.5 cm long × 2–2.5 cm wide), with an obtuse apex, orbicular base, and entire margins; both surfaces are sparsely hirsute, though abaxial hairs often become deciduous; marginal setae (trichomes) are present; petioles are 2.5–4 cm long, flat in cross-section, and bristly on both dorsal and ventral surfaces. The pair of leaves immediately below the inflorescence are oblong-lanceolate and sessile.
The corolla is blue, 20–27 mm long. The corolla tube is 9 mm long, curved, and bears inconspicuous paleate trichomes near the base on the inner surface. The limb is bilabiate (two-lipped): the upper lip is oblong (12 mm long × 7 mm wide), recurved (curving downward); the lower lip is broad and prominent, three-lobed—the middle lobe is largest, with a corrugated margin—and the lateral lobes are pendulous. There are four stamens; the anterior pair is longer and all filaments extend beneath the upper lip. Filaments are free, oblate, and glabrous, with an inconspicuous obtuse tooth at the apex. The anthers are two-loculed, with divergent (divaricate) cell apices. The style is filiform, exserted beyond the stamens, with a bifid apex; the lobes are subulate (awl-shaped). The floral disc is nearly flat-topped and undulate.
Botanical Description: Prunella hispida Benth. is a perennial herb of the family Lamiaceae (formerly Labiatae, the mint family) and genus Prunella. Synonyms include Prunella stolonifera H. Lév. et Vaniot, Prunella vulgaris L. var. hispida (Benth.) Benth.. It is also known as hard-hairy Prunella, rigid-hairy Prunella, or Yìng Máo Xià Kū Cǎo ("hard-hairy Prunella"). The underground rhizome is creeping and bears dense fibrous roots. Stems are erect, though the basal portion often lies decumbent on the ground; they measure 15–30 cm tall, are obtusely quadrangular and striate, and densely covered with appressed hirsute hairs—especially at the nodes. Leaves are ovate to ovate-lanceolate (1.5–3 cm long × 1–1.3 cm wide), with an acute apex and a rounded base; margins are sinuolate-serrate to crenate. Both surfaces are densely covered with nodose hirsute hairs—sometimes partially deciduous. Lateral veins occur in 2–3 pairs and are inconspicuous. Petioles are 0.5–1.5 cm long, nearly flat, with inconspicuous narrow wings near the base and covered in hirsute hairs. The terminal pair of leaves subtends the inflorescence directly or via a very short internode; these leaves are subsessile.
The corolla is dark purple to bluish-violet (blue-purple), 15–18 mm long. The corolla tube is 10 mm long, ~1.5 mm wide at the base, gradually widening upward, and slightly constricted at the throat (~4 mm wide). The outer surface is glabrous. Near the base on the inner surface lies a faint ring of paleate (scale-like) trichomes. The limb is bilabiate (two-lipped): the upper lip is oblong (~5 mm long × ~4 mm wide), carinate (keeled), concave, and emarginate at the apex; the keel bears a distinct band of stiff hairs; the inner surface is glabrous. The lower lip is broad and prominent (5 mm long × 6 mm wide), three-lobed—the middle lobe orbicular with a corrugated margin—and the lateral lobes are oblong, small, and pendulous. There are four stamens; the anterior pair is longer and extends beyond the corolla tube. Filaments are free, oblate, and glabrous. The anterior filaments bear conspicuous terminal subulate (awl-shaped) lobes—longer than the anthers—whereas the posterior pair lacks prominent lobes. The anthers are two-loculed, with divergent (divaricate) cell apices. The style is filiform (threadlike), slightly extending beyond the stamens; the apex is equally 2-lobed. The floral disc is nearly flat-topped. The ovary is tan (chocolate brown) and glabrous.
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