Introduction of Ze Lan:Bugleweed Herb or Herba Lycopi.
✵The article gives records of the herb Bugleweed Herb, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its herbal classic book defined botanical source one plant species, ①.Lycopus lucidus Turcz. var.hirtus Regel., and another usable plant species, ②.Lycopus lucidus Turcz., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of these two plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of these two plant species, the features of the herb Bugleweed Herb, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
Herba Lycopi(Bugleweed Herb).
Pin Yin Name: Zé Lán.
English Name: Bugleweed Herb.
Latin Name: Herba Lycopi.
Property and flavor: slightly warm, pungent, bitter.
Brief introduction: The herb Herba Lycopi is the dried aerial part of Lycopus lucidus Turcz.var.hirtus Regel, used (1).to activate the blood, remove stasis and regulate menstruation for the treatment of irregular menstruation and postpartum abdominal pain, (2).to reduce swelling for treating traumatic injuries, boils, and sores, and (3).to induce diuresis for treating edema and ascites. The herb is commonly known as Herba Lycopi, Bugleweed Herb, Hiraute Shiny Bugleweek Herb, Herb of Hirsute Shiny Bugleweed, Zé Lán.
Botanical source: The official herbal classics defined the herb Herba Lycopi(Bugleweed Herb) as the dried aerial part of the species (1). Lycopus lucidus Turcz. var.hirtus Regel. Other famous herbal classics defined the herb Herba Lycopi(Bugleweed Herb) as the dried aerial part of the species (1). Lycopus lucidus Turcz. Var. hirtus Regel, or (2). Lycopus lucidus Turcz. They are plants of the Lycopus Linn. genus, the Lamiaceae family (Labiatae, mint family) of the Tubiflorae order. This 1 herbal classic book defined species and another usable species are introduced:
(2).Lycopus lucidus Turcz.
Botanical description: It is commonly known as Dì Guā ér Miáo (literally means sweet potato seedling), or Dì Sǔn (literally means soil bamboo shootings). Perennial herb, the plant grows up to 0.6~1.7 meters high; Rhizome is transverse, with nodes, dense fibrous roots on nodes, apex is hypertrophic cylindrical, at this time on the nodes with scaly leaves and a few fibrous roots, or side with hypertrophic scaly leaves underground branches. Stems are upright, usually unbranched, prismatic, grooved, green, often somewhat purplish at nodes, glabrous, or sparsely small hirsute at nodes.
Leaves are very short or nearly sessile, oblong-elliptic, lanceolate, many arcs are curved, usually 4~8 cm long, 1.2~2.5 cm wide, apex is abruptly acuminate, base is gradually narrow, thick edge with a sharp, pointed teeth shape blade, on both sides or mask luster, bright green, both surfaces are glabrous, glandular dots, mask sag under lateral veins 6 or 7 pairs, with midrib prominent under the upper part, was not significant. The inflorescence is sessile, globose in outline, flower diameter is 1.2~1.5 cm, many flowers are dense, with bracteoles at lower part; Bracteoles are ovoid to lanceolate, apex is prickly, above calyx on the outer side, 5 mm long, 3-veined, on the inner side, 2~3 mm long, shorter than or equal to the calyx, 1-veined, margin all with small cilia.
Calyx is campanulate, 3 mm long, both surfaces are glabrous, outside is glandular, 5 calyx teeth, lanceolate triangular, 2 mm long, spinose, margin with small ciliate hairs. Corolla is white, 5 mm long, outside with glandular points on the cornice, inside with white pubescent in the larynx, coronal tube is ca. 3 mm long, coronal cornice is not distinctly bilabiate, upper lip is nearly rounded, lower lip is 3-lobed, middle lobe is larger. Stamens are fertile only anteriorly, beyond the corolla, apex is slightly recurved, filaments are filamentous, glabrous, anthers are ovoid, 2-locule, chambers are slightly diversely, posterior to stamens deformable, filamentous, apex is clavate. The style extended corolla, apex is equally 2-lobed, lobes are linear. Disk flat top.
Nutlets are obovate-quadrilateral, base is slightly narrow, 1.6 mm long, 1.2 mm wide, brown, margin is thickened, abaxially flat, ventral ribbed, glandular. Its flowering period is from June to September, fruiting from August to November.
Ecological Environment: the plant grows at areas below the altitude of 2,100 meters, at the marsh, mountain and low-lying land, water edge, and other wet places. The plant prefers warm and humid climate. It grows well in the hot and rainy season of June and July. Cold-resistant, not afraid of waterlogging, fond of fertilizer, grow luxuriant in fertile soil areas, to choose the sunny, deep soil, rich in humus loam or sandy loam cultivation is appropriate; It is not suitable for cultivation in dry, barren and without irrigation. The plant is distributed in the middle and lower reaches area of the Yangtze River, north area, west-north area, the Zhujiang river area, southwest area, and Taiwan of China.
Growth characteristics: The plant Lycopus lucidus prefers a warm and humid climate. It grows well in June and July with high temperatures and the rainy season. It is resistant to cold, not afraid of waterlogging, fond of fertilizer, and grows abundantly in fertile soil areas. Likewise, it is advisable to choose a sunny, deep soil layer and rich humus loam or sandy loam for cultivation. It is not suitable to be cultivated in dry, barren, and without irrigation conditions.
Characters of herbs: The stems are square, with shallow longitudinal grooves on all sides, 50~100 cm long and 2~5 mm in diameter, the surface is yellow-green or slightly purple, obvious nodes and the internode length is 2~11 cm; The texture of the herb is crisp, easily broken, the pith is hollow. Leaves grow opposite to each other, with many shrinkages, lanceolate or oblong after flattening, serrated edges, the upper surface is dark green, the lower surface is gray-green, with brown glandular spots. Flowers are clustered in the axils of leaves in a wheel shape, the corolla often falls off, and the bracts and calyx are persisted. The herb has a slight odor, it tastes mild. The herb of better grade is tender, leafy and green.
Pharmacological actions: ①.improve the microcirculatory disturbance of experimental animals, expand the diameter of microvessels and accelerate the flow velocity of microvessels; ②.cardiac stimulant effect.
Medicinal efficacy: Activate blood circulation, regulates menstruation, remove blood stasis, eliminate carbuncle, alleviate water retention, detumescence (reduce swelling), detoxification. It is indicated for irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea (abdominal pain after menstruation), postpartum abdominal pain of blood stasis, abdominal mass and edema, dropsy, falling injury, incised (metal-inflicted) wound, sore carbuncle swelling poison, edema and ascites (abdominal dropsy).
Administration of Herba Lycopi (Zé Lán):
Reference:
Administration Guide of Herba Lycopi (Zé Lán)
TCM Books:
①.Internally:6~12 grams; ②.Internally:water decoction,1.5~3 qian (about 4.5~9 grams), or prepare to pill, powder. Externally:mashed the herb and apply stick, or fumigation wash with water decoction; ③.Internally:water decoction, 6~12 grams, or prepared to pill, powder. Externally:proper amount, mash the fresh herb and apply stick;or fumigation wash with water decoction.
Contraindications,Precautions and Adverse Reactions:the herb Herba Lycopi should be used cautiously in condition no blood stasis.
(1).Lycopus lucidus Turcz. Var. hirtus Regel.
Botanical description: It is commonly known as Máo Yè Dì Guā ér Miáo (literally means hairy-leaf sweet potato seedling), or Máo Yè Dì Sǔn (literally means hairy-leaf soil bamboo). It is a varietas of the Lycopus lucidus Turcz. Herbs perennial, the plant grows up to 40~100 cm tall. Underground rhizome is transverse, slightly thickened, white. Stem is upright, square, with four edges and corners, hollow, surface is green, purplish-red or purplish green, smooth and glabrous, with only tufts of hair at nodes, leaves alternating opposite; Lanceolate, narrowly lanceolate to broadly lanceolate, 4.5~11 cm long, 8~35 mm wide, apex is long pointed, base is cuneate, margin coarsely serrate, sometimes serrate between teeth; Subleathery, slightly glossy above, glabrous, densely glandular below, glabrous or sparsely white pilose on veins; Petiole is short or nearly sessile. Inflorescences are axillary, flowers are small, many; Bracts are lanceolate, margin is hairy; Calyx is campanulate, ca. 4 mm long, apex is 5-lobed, lobes are narrowly lanceolate, apex is long pointed; Corolla is white, bell-shaped, slightly exposed to the calyx, 4.5~5 mm long, glandular outside, upper lip is upright, lower lip is 3-lobed, lobes are nearly equal; Ability to rear 2 stamens; Ovary is rectangular, 4-lobed, inserted on disk, style apex is 2-lobed, protruding. Nuts flat, ca. 1 mm long, dark brown. Its flowering period is from July to September, the fruiting period is from September to October.
Ecological Environment: the plant grows in swamps, water, and other wet places. It is mainly distributed in the middle and lower reaches area of the Yangtze River, northwest, and other areas of China.
Characters of herbs: The stems and leaves are densely covered with bristles, and the other features are similar to those of Lycopus lucidus Turcz. The herb of better grade is tender, leafy and green.
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1.Introduction of Ze Lan:Bugleweed Herb or Herba Lycopi.
✵The article gives records of the herb Bugleweed Herb, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its herbal classic book defined botanical source one plant species, ①.Lycopus lucidus Turcz. var.hirtus Regel., and another usable plant species, ②.Lycopus lucidus Turcz., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of these two plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of these two plant species, the features of the herb Bugleweed Herb, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
Pin Yin Name: Zé Lán.
Botanical description: It is commonly known as Dì Guā ér Miáo (literally means sweet potato seedling), or Dì Sǔn (literally means soil bamboo shootings). Perennial herb, the plant grows up to 0.6~1.7 meters high; Rhizome is transverse, with nodes, dense fibrous roots on nodes, apex is hypertrophic cylindrical, at this time on the nodes with scaly leaves and a few fibrous roots, or side with hypertrophic scaly leaves underground branches. Stems are upright, usually unbranched, prismatic, grooved, green, often somewhat purplish at nodes, glabrous, or sparsely small hirsute at nodes.
Calyx is campanulate, 3 mm long, both surfaces are glabrous, outside is glandular, 5 calyx teeth, lanceolate triangular, 2 mm long, spinose, margin with small ciliate hairs. Corolla is white, 5 mm long, outside with glandular points on the cornice, inside with white pubescent in the larynx, coronal tube is ca. 3 mm long, coronal cornice is not distinctly bilabiate, upper lip is nearly rounded, lower lip is 3-lobed, middle lobe is larger. Stamens are fertile only anteriorly, beyond the corolla, apex is slightly recurved, filaments are filamentous, glabrous, anthers are ovoid, 2-locule, chambers are slightly diversely, posterior to stamens deformable, filamentous, apex is clavate. The style extended corolla, apex is equally 2-lobed, lobes are linear. Disk flat top.
Ecological Environment: the plant grows at areas below the altitude of 2,100 meters, at the marsh, mountain and low-lying land, water edge, and other wet places. The plant prefers warm and humid climate. It grows well in the hot and rainy season of June and July. Cold-resistant, not afraid of waterlogging, fond of fertilizer, grow luxuriant in fertile soil areas, to choose the sunny, deep soil, rich in humus loam or sandy loam cultivation is appropriate; It is not suitable for cultivation in dry, barren and without irrigation. The plant is distributed in the middle and lower reaches area of the Yangtze River, north area, west-north area, the Zhujiang river area, southwest area, and Taiwan of China.
Characters of herbs: The stems are square, with shallow longitudinal grooves on all sides, 50~100 cm long and 2~5 mm in diameter, the surface is yellow-green or slightly purple, obvious nodes and the internode length is 2~11 cm; The texture of the herb is crisp, easily broken, the pith is hollow. Leaves grow opposite to each other, with many shrinkages, lanceolate or oblong after flattening, serrated edges, the upper surface is dark green, the lower surface is gray-green, with brown glandular spots. Flowers are clustered in the axils of leaves in a wheel shape, the corolla often falls off, and the bracts and calyx are persisted. The herb has a slight odor, it tastes mild. The herb of better grade is tender, leafy and green.
Botanical description: It is commonly known as Máo Yè Dì Guā ér Miáo (literally means hairy-leaf sweet potato seedling), or Máo Yè Dì Sǔn (literally means hairy-leaf soil bamboo). It is a varietas of the Lycopus lucidus Turcz. Herbs perennial, the plant grows up to 40~100 cm tall. Underground rhizome is transverse, slightly thickened, white. Stem is upright, square, with four edges and corners, hollow, surface is green, purplish-red or purplish green, smooth and glabrous, with only tufts of hair at nodes, leaves alternating opposite; Lanceolate, narrowly lanceolate to broadly lanceolate, 4.5~11 cm long, 8~35 mm wide, apex is long pointed, base is cuneate, margin coarsely serrate, sometimes serrate between teeth; Subleathery, slightly glossy above, glabrous, densely glandular below, glabrous or sparsely white pilose on veins; Petiole is short or nearly sessile. Inflorescences are axillary, flowers are small, many; Bracts are lanceolate, margin is hairy; Calyx is campanulate, ca. 4 mm long, apex is 5-lobed, lobes are narrowly lanceolate, apex is long pointed; Corolla is white, bell-shaped, slightly exposed to the calyx, 4.5~5 mm long, glandular outside, upper lip is upright, lower lip is 3-lobed, lobes are nearly equal; Ability to rear 2 stamens; Ovary is rectangular, 4-lobed, inserted on disk, style apex is 2-lobed, protruding. Nuts flat, ca. 1 mm long, dark brown. Its flowering period is from July to September, the fruiting period is from September to October.
Ecological Environment: the plant grows in swamps, water, and other wet places. It is mainly distributed in the middle and lower reaches area of the Yangtze River, northwest, and other areas of China.
Characters of herbs: The stems and leaves are densely covered with bristles, and the other features are similar to those of Lycopus lucidus Turcz. The herb of better grade is tender, leafy and green.
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