Bugleweed

Scientific Names

Lycopus virginicus L.
Labiatae
Mint family

Common Names

Gypsywort
Sweet bugle
Water bugle
Western bugleweed
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Parts Usually Used

The whole plant (usually the aerial parts)
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Description of Plant(s) and Culture

Bugleweed is a perennial plant 6-40 inches in height; the leaves are lance-shaped, strongly toothed, the lower ones with long, narrow bases. Flowers are in axils, with broadly triangular calyx lobes, shorter than the nutlets. Blooms July to October.

Another variety: American bugleweed (L. americanus) also called cut-leaved water-horehound; the most abundant of about 7 or so species in our range; distinguished by its lance-shaped, strongly cut or toothed leaves. Found on low ground throughout North America. Flowers in July to September. The leaves of this and other bugleweeds (Lycopus species) are traditionally used as a mild sedative and astringent in heart diseases, lung ailments, etc.

Another variety: also called gypsywort or bugleweed (L. europaeus) is a little known but efficacious medicinal plant. In Switzerland it is found in some parts of the Churfirst mountains at an elevation of up to 3,280 feet. Used in similar ways to bugleweed (L. virginicus).
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Where Found

Wet places, Nova Scotia to Georgia; Arkansas to Oklahoma, Nebraska to Minnesota.
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Medicinal Properties

Sedative, astringent, mild narcotic, tonic
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Biochemical Information

Tannin, lithospermic acid, phenolic substances and traces of essential oil
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Legends, Myths and Stories

The Chinese variety (L lucidus) closely resembles bugleweed (L. virginicus), but the Chinese plant has emmenagogue and diuretic properties and is used for delayed menstruation and urinary problems.

Rafinesque thought exceedingly well of bugleweed’s general properties, further he claims that it acts somewhat like digitalis, lowering pulse, without producing any bad effects, nor accumulating in the system.

The Herbalist Almanac states that most writers believe the plant is narcotic, but “we, however, infer, both from our own experience, and that of others, that it is only a sedative”.
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Uses

Used especially for heart diseases, chronic lung ailments, coughs, fast pulse, thyroid diseases, diabetes. Science has confirmed the potential value of this plant in treating hyperthyroidism, especially when combined with motherwort. Effects are only noted after taking the combination for 2 weeks.
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Formulas or Dosages

Should be used in its fresh state, or freshly tinctured, not dried.

Infusion: use 1 oz. of the herb, cut fine, to 1 pint of boiling water. Let cool and take a cupful several times a day
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Warning

Generally bugleweed should be avoided during pregnancy, as are most herbs in this category.
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Bibliography

American Folk Medicine, by Clarence Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, 1973

Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants, by Steven Foster and James A. Duke., Houghton Mifflin Company, 215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10000

How Indians Use Wild Plants for Food, Medicine & Crafts, by Frances Densmore, Dover Publications, Inc., 180 Varick Street, New York, NY 10014, first printed by the United States Government Printing Office, Washington, in 1928, this Dover edition 1974

The Nature Doctor, by Dr. H.C.A. Vogel; Keats Publishing, Inc., 27 Pine Street (Box 876) New Canaan, CT. 06840-0876. Copyright Verlag A. Vogel, Teufen (AR) Switzerland 1952, 1991

Webster's New World Dictionary, Third College Edition, Victoria Neufeldt, Editor in Chief, New World Dictionaries: A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc., 15 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023, 1984

The Rodale Herb Book, edited by William H. Hylton, Rodale Press, Inc. Emmaus, PA, 18049., 1974

Bugleweed

Contents:

Scientific Names