BUGLEWEED
Product No. P02188
Also known as Lycopus virginicus, Archangle, Ashangee, American Bugleweed, Carpenter's Herb, Common Bufle, Egyptian's Herb, Green Wolf's Foot, Gypsy-Weed, Gypsy-Wort, Middle Comfrey, Paul's Betony, Sicklewort, Sweet Bugle, Water Bugle and Virginia Water.
Bugle Weed was first discovered on the banks of streams in Virginia, but now grows throughout North America, in low, damp, shady ground. It flowers from July to September. From the perennial root, the smooth stem rises to a height of 6 to 24 inches, bearing pairs of opposite leaves on short stalks. The flowers are in clusters in the axils of the leaves; four-lobed, purplish in colour, and with only two fertile stamens.
Bugleweed is slightly aromatic, with a mint-like odour. Its medicinal value lies in its above-ground parts, collected during the flowering season. The whole herb is used for medicinal purposes; fresh, when in flower, for the preparation of a tincture and a fluid extract, and dried for infusions. It contains a bitter principle, insoluble in ether, another soluble in ether, the two forming more than 10 per cent of the whole solid extract, and also tannin and a volatile oil.
The active constituents, Lithospermic acid, and other organic acids, are believed to be responsible for bugleweed’s activity.
Historically, bugleweed and related species were used to treat coughs and as a sedative. Today, it is used medicinally to treat heart problems, upset stomach, and haemorrhoids, as well as pains in the breast after childbirth, and the symptoms of PMS. It can sometimes be used as a sedative, astringent and mild narcotic.
Bugleweed is also commonly used in cases of mildly overactive thyroid, a condition that can lead to nervousness and insomnia. The acids present in Bugleweed decrease levels of several hormones in the body, particularly thyroid-stimulating hormones and the thyroid hormone thyroxine. It inhibits the binding of antibodies to the thyroid gland, and it is these antibodies can cause the most common form of hyperthyroidism; Graves’ disease. It is therefore of great benefit to those with overactive thyroids.
Bugleweed also decreases production of the pituitary gland hormone known as prolactin, an elevated level of which is associated with female reproductive difficulties and enlarged breasts in men (gynecomastia).
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