Xia Ku Cao (Prunella Vulgaris)

Xia Ku Cao (Prunella Vulgaris)

Xia Ku Hua (Prunella Flower) (Club-shaped, flattened flower spike stalk, reddish-brown, fruit spike composed of dozens of whorls of persistent calyx arranged like roof tiles, with white hairs on the outside and light in weight)

Xia Ku Hua (Prunella Flower) (Clear veins, coarse white hairs)

【Naming】

Xia Ku Cao (Prunella Vulgaris)

 【Source】

Lower Grade in the Classic of Herbal Medicine

 【Common Usage Level】

C

 【Botanical Origin】

Dried flower spike and fruiting spike of the labiate plant Prunella vulgaris L.

 【Characteristics】

Often found as dried fruiting spikes, with most of the corolla having fallen off. The overall shape is cylindrical or pagoda-shaped, slightly flattened, 2.5~4~6㎝ long, approximately 1㎝ thick, with a short stem. The fruit spike is composed of several to a dozen whorls of persistent calyx arranged like roof tiles, each whorl having 5~6 short-stalked persistent calyces. The distance between the whorls is approximately 5~7㎜, with two opposite bracts at the bottom of each whorl, the bracts are kidney-shaped, with clear veins and coarse white hairs on the back. The labiate persistent calyx is approximately 1㎝ long, brown in color, with coarse hairs on the outside, and contains 4 small nutlets inside. The small nutlets are oval, brown, shiny, slightly fragrant, and have a slightly cool and refreshing taste.

 【Identification】

《Quality Differentiation》: “Brown flowers that feel tall when put in a bag are of high quality; dark brown or scattered ones are for use.” Those with long and robust spikes, short stalks, brown color, no leaves, and no impurities are considered better.

 【Category】

Flowers