Ajuga Properties (Family: N.O. Labiatae, Ajuga reptans LINN)
Bugle, Common
Blue Bugle (Ajuga genevensis)
Bai Mao Xia Ku Cao (Ajuga decumbens)
Ajuga remota Benth (Labiatae)
carpenter's herb
Bugleherb
Bugleweed
Carpetweed
Common bugle
Sicklewort
Middle Comfrey
Ajuga pyramidalis
Yellow Bugle or Ground Pine (A. Chamaepitys)
ajuga salicifolia
Australian Bugle (Ajuga australis )
abuga
A. reptans alba
Atropurpurea
burgundy glow bugle weed
water bugle
sweet bugle
Virginian water horehound
gypsy weed
Ajuga Reptans is the most common type of bugle weed.
Called "one of the mildest and best narcotics in the world", Ajuga reptans is used or was used for biliousness. For reducing blood pressure, it can be likened to the action of digitalis.
Used also traditonally for cough and throat irritation, and as a gentle laxative, boiled into a syrup.
Externally, Culpepper claims it can be used for bruising, and all kinds of external sores.
Herbalists may have derived the name Ajuga from a former name: Abuga.
flavone glycosides
volatile oils
and tannins
methyl salicylate
Ionone, Iridoid and Phenylethanoid Glycosides from Ajuga salicifolia
A new family of phytoecdysteroids isolated from aerial part of Ajuga reptans var. atropurpurea
The compounds 20-hydroxyecdysone-22-acetate and viticosterone E (20-hydroxyecdysone-25-acetate) are observed for the first time in Ajuga reptans L. growing at the northern limit of its range (taiga)
polypopin B; 20 hydroxyecdysone in northern climes
cough suppressant
anti-spasmodic
anti-malarial
diuretic
calmative
sedative
astringent
iodine inhibitor
treatment of hyperthyroidism
cardiac tonic
used historically* for tuberculosis
* also bleeding of the lungs; bloody coughing
styptich
quinsy
in poultices for wounds or bruising
for biliousness
weaning babies (used to reduce secretion of breast milk)
AJUGA DECUMBENS
The leaf decoction is used for bladder ailments, diarrhea, eye trouble, fever; juice for bugbites,
burns, cuts, and tumors. Fresh leaves in poultice of punded boiled rice applied externally to carcinoma.
Shoots: a decoction for neuralgic and rheumatic parts.
Seed: decoction for diarrhea, stomach ache.
Plant: abscesses, boils, bronchitis, burns, cancer, cold, colic, epistaxis, fever,
fungoid diseases, hemorrhage, hypertension, inflammation, pneumonia, snakebite, sore throat and tonsillitis.
Contra-Indications
Bugle weed should not be used internally if a person has a thyroid condition, unless they have consulted a physician or health care practitioner.
Because of bugle weed's influence on thyroid function and its ability to reduce secretions (including breast milk), it should be used only for short periods and prescribed by a trained practitioner. Nursing mothers should probably not use it during the months of breastfeeding.
Plants in the mint family, which includes bugle weed, are high in methyl salicylate. This compound causes allergies in some people.
Side effects
The Complete German Commission E Monographs includes reports of uncommon cases of long-term high-dosage therapy with bugle weed preparations resulting in enlargement of the thyroid gland. When this herb is used in the treatment of hyperthyroidism, its sudden stoppage can result in an increase in the symptoms.
Interactions
Bugle weed preparations may interfere with the use of radioactive isotopes used in some diagnostic procedures.
Bugle Weed from Encyclopaedia of Alternative Medicine
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