The purpose of this blog is to help me, and hopefully you, too, remember the functions of herbs in Chinese medicine. Sometimes I have to make quite a stretch to generate some kind of story or association with the herb. For my lame associations, I apologize. I hope that people will make comments that include equally lame associations, so I don't feel so bad, or better yet, brilliant associations, so I can remember these herbs better! Here goes...
Background:
Xia Ku Cao -- which I think means "summer dry herb" in Chinese -- is "Prunella vulgaris spike" in Latin and "Self Heal Spike" or "Heal All" in English. All dried up in the herb bag it looks like a little bit like a long, skinny pine cone, or a spear of dried flowers. Xia Ku Cao is considered a weed by most people who don't know of its medicinal properties. It has been used for centuries all over the world as an overall health tonic and immune booster. It grows like crazy in vacant lots and along fences.
Xia Ku Cao in Chinese Medicine:
In Chinese medicine it is used as a heat clearing herb; it is cold in nature. It is also considered bitter and acrid, but I have to say I dropped some into my tea cup and it didn't taste bitter or spicy. It didn't taste like much of anything, but it got prettier--at least it fluffed up a little bit.
As a heat clearing herb, it dissipates nodules. Because it is long and kind of pointy, I am imagining it being used as a poker to stab someone in the neck. In fact, it is good for neck lumps, swollen glands, and goiters.
If you were to stab someone in the eye with it, it might make their eyes red and swollen. If you choose to do this, and then make a tea out of the herb, it will reduce the redness and swelling, and in fact brighten the eyes.
It is also said to be good for vaginal infection. I could make a crude comment about remembering this usage through imaging the shape of Xia Ku Cao...you get the picture.
This herb is nice and straightforward. It clears Liver fire, and is used for hypertension associated with LV fire, or ascending Yang, and the channels it travels are the Liver and Gallbladder.
Got any creative ways to help remember Xia Ku Cao? Please post them!
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