Pinyin: Jingucao
Aliases
Baimao Xiakucao, Sanxuecao, Poxuedan, Tougucao.
Source
Herb of the Lamiaceae family.Ajuga decumbensDried whole herb of Thumb.
Botanical Description
Perennial herb, 10-30 cm tall. Stem base inclined or creeping, upper part erect, multi-branched, quadrangular, slightly purplish, entire plant densely covered with white pubescence. Leaves opposite, petiolate; leaf blade ovate or oblong, 4-11 cm long, 1-3 cm wide, apex rounded-obtuse or shortly acute, base gradually narrowed and decurrent, margin with undulate coarse teeth, lower surface and leaf margin often purplish, both surfaces with short pubescence. Verticillaster inflorescences, many-flowered, axillary or arranged at branch tips into interrupted multi-whorled false spikes; calyx funnelform, 5-toothed; corolla bilabiate, pale blue or pale purplish-red, rarely white, lower lip about twice as long as upper lip; stamens 4, didynamous; ovary superior. Nutlets obovoid-trigonous, dorsally grayish-yellow, with reticulate wrinkles. Flowering period March-April, fruiting period May-June.
Habitat and Distribution
Born in roadsides, forest edges, grasslands, near villages, and on moist, fertile soils by ditches. Distributed in East, Central-South, and Southwest China.
Harvesting and Processing
Harvest from May to August when in flower, wash clean, sun-dry or use fresh.
Chemical Constituents
This product mainly contains acetylharpagide, ecdysterone, cyasterone, ajugasterone B, ajugasterone C, ajugalactone, ajugose, flavonoid glycosides, saponins, and alkaloids.
Pharmacology
Has antitussive, expectorant, antiasthmatic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antibacterial, and antiviral effects.
Properties and Channel Entry
Bitter, cold. Enters the Lung channel.
Functions and Indications
Clears Heat, resolves toxicity, cools Blood, and reduces swelling. Used for sore throat, hemoptysis due to Lung Heat, and traumatic swelling and pain.
Dosage and Administration
Internal: decoct in water, 15-30 g. External: apply appropriate amount of mashed herb to the affected area.
Prescriptions
1. For tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis: Decoct 15-30 g of Ajuga decumbens in water for oral administration. Alternatively, boil 4-5 plants of Ajuga decumbens with tofu, consume the tofu and drink the soup. (Northern Common Chinese Herbal Medicine Manual) 2. For pulmonary heat with hemoptysis: Decoct 15 g of Ajuga decumbens, 30 g of Imperata cylindrica rhizome, and 30 g of rock sugar in water for oral administration. (Northern Common Chinese Herbal Medicine Manual) 3. For traumatic injuries and sprains: Mash fresh Ajuga decumbens with a small amount of fresh ginger and scallion, apply externally. (Northern Common Chinese Herbal Medicine Manual)
