WH Acupuncture & Herbs Centre

 It is the aerial parts of Leonurus japonicus Houtt., family Labiatae. The fresh form is better cut during springtime when the plant is still young or in early sumer before it blossoms. In comparison, the dried one is better to be collected in summer before it blossoms. In comparison, the dried one is better to be collected in summer when it flourishes and before the flowers blossom or have just begun to open. The impurities are removed, it is cut into segments and the fresh form is used raw or decocted into paste.

[ Medicinal Properties ]: Pungent, bitter and slightly cold; relate to liver , pericardium and bladder meridians.

[ Medicinal Efficacies ]: Activate blood and dispel stasis; induce diuresis and alleviate edema.

[ Clinical Applications ]:1. Blood stasis     To treat blood-stasis causing irregular menstruation, dysmenorrheal, amenorrhea, postpartum abdominal pain, lochiorrhea and trauma pain, it can be decocted alone into a paste or combined with Danggui, Chuanxiong and Chishao.

2. Dysuria and edema     It can be decocted alone or combined together with Xianmaogen.

In addition, it can also clear heat and relieve toxicity, for which it may be used for ulcer and carbuncle and a skin-itching rash.

[ Usage and Dosage ]: 9-30g. In the fresh form 12-40g. It can be used decocted into a paste or processed into pills. The appropriate amount of the pounded fresh form is utilized for external application.

[ Precautions ]: It is contraindicated in pregnant women.

益母草为唇形科植物益母草Leonurus heterophyllus Sweet的地上部分。我国大部分地区均产，野生或栽培。通常在夏季茎叶茂盛，花未开或初开时采割，除去杂质，洗净，润透，切段后干燥。生用或熬膏用。