Bugleweed

Species Name: lycopus virginicus.

Other Names Bugleweed is known by: Water Bugle. Sweet Bugle. Virginian Water Horehound. Gipsyweed.

What is Bugleweed: An American plant it is a very common weed in North America, growing in low, damp, shady ground and flowering from July to September.

Home Remedies using Bugleweed:

Benefits of Bugleweed:

Sedative, astringent and mildly narcotic. Used in coughs, bleeding from the lungs and consumption.

Uses of Bugleweed:

Bugleweed can be used as a calming agent, a sleep aid, a pain reliever, and to quiet coughing.

A Bugleweed infusion made from an ounce of the dried herb to each pint of boiling water can be taken in wineglass doses, and can be taken often. 

The fluid extract is to be taken in doses of ten to thirty drops, and the dry extract, Lycopin, is to be taken in doses of one to four grains.

Bugleweed is slightly aromatic, with a mint-like odor and the whole plant is used, fresh, when in flower, for the preparation of a tincture and a fluid extract.  It is also used dried for making an infusion.

Side Effects of Bugleweed:

Not to be used in anyone with Thyroid hypofunction, or enlargement of the thyroid. Do not use in conjunction with thyroid medications.

In rare cases, extended therapy and high dosages of bugleweed preparations have resulted in an enlargement of the thyroid. 

Any sudden discontinuation of bugleweed preparations can cause increased disease symptoms. 

Administration of bugleweed preparations interferes with the administration of diagnostic procedures using radioactive isotopes.