Medicines
Virginia water horehound
Category: Medicines - plant based
Type
Voluntary
Introduction and description
Lycopus virginicus is a species of flowering plant in the mint family known by many common names, including Virginia water horehound, American water hoarhound, sweet bugleweed, water bugle, carpenter's herb, green archangel, purple archangel, Paul's betony, woodbetony, wolf foot, and Egyptian's herb.
Distribution
It is native to North America, where it is widespread in eastern Canada and the eastern United States. Habitat types include damp, shady places. It can be found in riparian zones, such as floodplains. It grows in wet spots in forests, woodlands, and swamps.
Description
This is a perennial herb with a hairy, squared stem reaching a meter tall. The plant has a mint scent and a bitter taste.
The oppositely arranged leaves have oval to lance-shaped blades with toothed edges. The leaves are dark green or purple.
Clusters of tiny white or pink-tinged flowers occur in the leaf axils.
This species can be easily confused with Lycopus uniflorus. The latter has stamens exerted from the flowers, while the stamens of L. virginicus are included. The two species may hybridize, producing Lycopus × sherardii.
Medicinal uses
This plant has a number of uses in traditional herbal medicine. The observations provide research papers.
Wikipedia
It was perhaps best known as a treatment for hyperthyroidism conditions, including Graves' disease and thyrotoxicosis. Indications included signs and symptoms such as dyspnea, tachycardia, tremor, and exophthalmia. …. It was also used for anxiety, insomnia, and respiratory ailments such as pneumonia, bronchitis, hemoptysis, and chronic cough. In Native American tradition, the Iroquois considered the plant poisonous, but the Cherokee found it useful for treating snakebite in people and in dogs. It was given to infants to help them learn to speak [sic], and it had ceremonial uses.
Related observations
Healing observations
- Dr Duke's list of Chemicals and their Biological Activities in: Lycopus virginicus L. (Lamiaceae) – Virginia water horehound, Bugle 019019
- Dr Duke's list of Plants with AntiHIV activity 017975
- Dr Duke's list of Plants with AntiPolio activity 018299