Xia Ku Cao (Selfheal Spike, Prunella) - Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese Name: Xia Ku Cao
English Name: Selfheal Spike, Prunella

Clinical Usage and Indications

  • Clears liver and brightens the eyes - ascending liver fire with red, painful, swollen eyes, headache, dizziness (stronger than Mi Meng Hua, Jue Ming Zi, Qing Xiang Zi in clearing heat).
  • Clears heat and dissipates nodules - neck lumps, scrofula, lipoma, goiter, swollen glands due to phlegm fire.
  • Hypertension accompanied by liver fire or yang rising.

Functional Groups (Click for Summary/Study Notes)

Dosage and Preparation Notes

  • Dosage: 9-15g
  • When used alone, up to 30g

Channels/Meridians Influenced

Associated Temperature and Taste

Cautions and Contraindications

  • Avoid in patients with stomach or spleen deficiency.

Staff Clinician Notes

Herbal Formulas Which Include This Herb

Below you will find Traditional Chinese Medicine herbal formulas which contain this particular herb (in alphabetical order). You may click on the name of the formula for more details or click on any of the products from our store to read usage information or purchase a particular formula.