Xia Ku Cao

Prunellae Spica

Xia Ku Cao

Xia Ku Cao

Herbs that Clear Heat & Drain Fire

Taste: Bitter, Acrid
Temperature: Cool
Channels: Liver, Gallbladder

Dosage: 9-15g

Cautions & Contraindications:

  • Use with caution in those with Spleen and Stomach weakness and deficiency.

Actions & Indications:

  • Clears Liver Fire and brightens the eyes: for upward blazing of Liver fire with red, painful, or swollen eyes, or headache and dizziness. Also used for eye pain that increases in the evening due to Liver deficiency, especially when the eyes are neither red nor swollen.
  • Clears heat and dissipates nodules: for any neck lump or nodule, as in scrofula, lipoma, swollen glands, or goiter due to phlegm-fire. Also used for similar nodules in the inguinal canal and other parts of the body.
  • This herb has recently been used for hypertension, especially when accompanied by Liver fire or patterns of ascending yang.