Xià Kū Cǎo (夏枯草) — Prunella / Self-Heal Spike

On this page

1. Overview
2. Properties
3. Actions and indications
4. Modern research
5. Cautions and contraindications
6. Treatment at my clinic

1. Overview

Xià Kū Cǎo (夏枯草) is the dried fruit spike of Prunella vulgaris, known in English as self-heal or heal-all. It belongs to the category of Herbs that clear Liver Heat in the Chinese Materia Medica and is one of the principal herbs in Chinese herbal medicine for Liver Fire ascending to the head, and for nodules and swellings from constrained Phlegm-Fire — including thyroid nodules and lymphadenopathy.

I prescribe Xià Kū Cǎo as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

2. Properties

3. Actions and indications

Principal actions

1. Clears Liver Fire and brightens the eyes
2. Disperses nodules and reduces swellings

Indications

1. Red, painful, photophobic eyes; headaches and dizziness from Liver Fire
2. Goitre, thyroid nodules and lymphadenopathy from Phlegm-Fire constraint
3. Hypertension associated with Liver Yang rising (used as an adjunct, not a substitute for conventional treatment)
4. Mastitis with localised heat and lumpiness

4. Modern research

Prunella spike contains triterpenoid saponins, rosmarinic acid, ursolic acid, sterols and a complex polysaccharide fraction. Studies report antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory and antiviral activity (including in vitro activity against HSV and HIV). The polysaccharide fraction has been investigated for its effects on autoimmune thyroiditis and goitre — consistent with the traditional use in Phlegm-Fire thyroid presentations.

5. Cautions and contraindications

Use with caution in patients with Spleen-deficient digestive complaints, where the cold bitter nature may aggravate cold-deficient diarrhoea. Thyroid nodules and significant lymphadenopathy require proper medical investigation; herbal medicine is an adjunct, not a replacement for diagnostic workup.

Important: Chinese herbs should always be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist who is a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto is a member of the RCHM with over 25 years of clinical experience.

6. Treatment at my clinic

I prescribe Xià Kū Cǎo as part of tailored herbal formulas for thyroid nodules, lymph node enlargement from constrained Phlegm-Fire, headaches and red eyes from Liver Fire, and as an adjunct in Liver-Yang-rising hypertension. Every prescription is individually formulated following a full TCM assessment.

I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Online Chinese herbal medicine consultations are available.

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