Bugleweed

LYCOPUS SPP., ESPECIALLY, LYCOPUS VIRGINICUS; LABIATAE

It is one of the most beneficial in the herbal kingdom because it is extremely effective without side effects. It is a member of the mint family, resembling motherwort and horehound in its habit but only growing in moist places. L. virginicus is found mostly in the eastern United States, but members of the species are found throughout the U.S., especially in moist places in the mountain west.

Bugleweed has long been used for hemorrhage, although it is not considered very useful for  acute and critical bleeding. It is better suited for passive hemorrhage, when the bleeding is frequent and in small amount. It is considered most effective in passive pulmonary hemorrhage (Ibid.). It can be used for nosebleeds, bleeding hemorrhoids, excessive menstruation, etc. Moore considers it good for diminishing the lochia after birth, taken two or three days for the purpose; he claims it does not affect the secretion of colostrum or milk (Moore:43). It is used when blood is found in the urine; for this purpose, it is especially useful when combined with demulcents (San: 95).

One of its primary uses is as a nervine; in early days it was even thought to be a narcotic, but Millspaugh states: “We infer from our own experience and that of others, that it is only sedative in that it removes, by checking hemorrhage, that nervous excitability and mental fear always accompanying such conditions” (Mills:459). The remedy is excellent for insomnia and worry. Moore says that it is quite strong as a sedative or tranquilizer, helping a person relax without feeling drugged, with larger doses causing a pleasant, sleepy lethargy. For chronic nervous stress, he says, it is much better than Valerian, which is distinctly drug-like in its effect (Moore:43).

It is claimed to be useful in cases of indigestion, being a mild gastric tonic which sharpens the  appetite and helps normal digestion take place. It enhances normal secretion, and blood-making and nutritive absorption are enhanced by it. It allays gastric and enteric irritability. Natural physicians have used it successfully in cases of chronic diarrhea and dysentery, as well as in the inflammation from alcoholism.

HISTORICAL USES

It helps to lower pulse without the bad side effects, it checks excessive bleeding, helps to treat  diabetes, helps circulatory disturbances, good for heart palpitations, calms the nerves, helps in pulmonary hemorrhage and help check insomnia and worry.