Yi Mu Cao (Herba Leonuri) is from the aerial parts of Leonurus heterophyclus Sweet, family Labiatae. The medicinal material is cut in the cummer and dried in the sun. It is used in its unprocessed form or it can be decocted into an extract.
Category: Blood Regulating – Invigorate the Blood.
Common Name: Chinese Motherwort.
Channels Entered: Heart, Liver and Bladder.
Properties and Functions: Yi Mu Cao is punget and bitter in flavour, and slightly cold in nature. It promotes blood circulation and dispels stasis, promotes urination, relieves oedema and regulates menstruation.
Indications: It is used clinically for:
- Blood stasis syndrome with unsmooth menstruation, dysmenorrhoea, amenorrhoea, post partum abdominal pain and lochiostasis.
- Dysuria and oedema, especially oedema and dysuria due to stagnation of water.
- Sores, abscesses and rashes with itching.
Dosage: 10 – 60g
Cautions and Contra-Indications: Contra-indicated for pregnant women and should be used with caution for patients with deficiency of Blood without stasis.