Product Overview
Parts used: Dried fruit-spike
TCM category: Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
TCM nature: Cold
TCM taste(s): BitterPungent
Meridian affinity: Gallbladder Liver
Scientific name: Prunella vulgaris
Other names: Self-heal, Woundwort, Heart-of-the-earth, Carpenter's herb, Brownwort, Blue curls
Use of heal-all spikes (Xia Ku Cao) in TCM
Please note that you should never self-prescribe TCM ingredients. A TCM ingredient is almost never eaten on its own but as part of a formula containing several ingredients that act together. Please consult a professional TCM practitionner, they will be best able to guide you.
Preparation: After harvest, remove impurities and dry.
Dosage: 9 - 18 grams
Main actions according to TCM*: Clears Liver Heat that affects the eyes. Clears Heat and reduces nodules. Calms Liver Fire and ascendant Yang.
Primary conditions or symptoms for which heal-all spikes may be prescribed by TCM doctors*: Uveitis Ophthalmalgia Scrofula Goiter Mastitis Hypertension
Contraindications*: This herb should not be used by those with a weak Stomach or Spleen associated with Coldness.
Common TCM formulas in which heal-all spikes are used*:
For Deficient Kidney and Liver Yin patterns with symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, blurred vision, headache and hypertension combine heal-all spikes with gambir stems and thorns (Gou Teng), baikal skullcap roots (Huang Qin) and chrysanthemum flowers (Ju Hua).
For glandular swellings or cervical or occipital lymphatic swelling combine heal-all spikes with oyster shells (Mu Li ke), fritillary bulbs (Chuan Bei Mu) and ningpo figwort roots (Xuan Shen).
For swollen glands combine heal-all spikes with honeycomb (Feng Fang), frankincense (Ru Xiang), forsythia fruits (Lian Qiao) and fritillary bulbs (Chuan Bei Mu).
Key TCM concepts behind heal-all spikes (Xia Ku Cao)'s properties
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), heal-all spikes are plants that belong to the 'Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat' category. Herbs in this category are used to clear inflammatory and infectious conditions, referred to as 'Internal Heat' in TCM. This is why most of the herbs in this category will have both antibacterial and antiviral properties. In TCM one has too much 'Heat' in their body as a result of a deficiency of 'Yin' (which is Cold in nature, see our explanation on Yin and Yang) or, more commonly, an excess of Yang (Hot in nature). Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire treat the latter and as such tend to be Cold or Neutral in nature.
As suggested by its category heal-all spikes are plants that are Cold in nature. This means that heal-all spikes typically help people who have too much "heat" in their body. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Those who have too much heat in their body are said to either have a Yang excess (because Yang is Hot in nature) or a Yin deficiency (Yin is Cold in Nature). Depending on your condition heal-all spikes can help restore a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang.
Heal-all spikes also taste Bitter and Pungent. The so-called "five elements" theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Bitter ingredients like heal-all spikes tend to have a cleansing action on the body by clearing heat, drying dampness and promoting elimination via urination or bowel movements. On the other hand Pungent ingredients tend to promote the circulations of Qi and body fluids. That's why for instance someone tends to sweat a lot when they eat spicy/pungent food.
The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what organs and meridians they target. As such heal-all spikes are thought to target the Gallbladder and the Liver. Similar to modern medicine, in TCM the Gall Bladder stores and releases bile produced by the Liver. It also controls the emotion of decisiveness. The Liver on the other hand is often referred as the body's "general" because it is in charge of regulating the movements of Qi and body fluids. It also takes a leading role in balancing our emotions.
Use of heal-all spikes (Xia Ku Cao) as food
Heal-all spikes are also eaten as food. It is used as an ingredient in dishes such as Heal-all salad.
