Water Bugle

A genus of four species of perennials, which occur in wet, lowland habitats in northern temperate regions. They are similar to Mentha (See, mint), with stoloniferous rootstocks and angled stems, but are non-aromatic. None has great ornamental value, although L. virginicus and L. europaeus are sometimes grown in bog gardens. Lycopus virginicus was listed in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia in the late 19th century as an effective anti-hemorrhagic. Lycopus europaeus (gipsywort) and L. americanus (water horehound) have similar effects to L. virginicus and are often substituted. Lycopus lucidus has been used for over 2000 years in Chinese medicine for mentrual pain, painful injuries, and incontinence. Lycopus comes from the Greek lykos, "wolf", and pous, "foot".

Traditionally, bugleweed was used to treat coughs, but it's used in modern times to primarily reduce the activity of an overactive thyroid. Bugleweed contains lithospermic acid and other organic acids that appear to decrease the levels of several hormones in the body, particularly thyroid-stimulating hormone and the thyroid hormone thyroxine.

Rhizomatous perennial with branched stems and purple-green, pointed, sharply toothed leaves, 6-9cm (2½-3½in) long. Tiny white flowers, sometimes purple-marked, appear in summer, followed by 3-angled nutlets.


Common Name:
Water Bugle
Other Names:
Bugleweed, Gypsywort, Sweet Bugle, Virginia Bugleweed, Virginia Water Horehound
Botanical Name:
Lycopus virginicus
Genus:
Lycopus
Family:
Lamiaceae
Cultivation:
Moist to wet soil in sun or partial shade. Invasive.
Propagation:
By seed sown in autumn or spring; by division in autumn or spring.
Harvest:
Plants are cut as flowering begins and dried for use in infusions, liquid extracts and tinctures.
Native Location:
Native to SE USA.
Height:
20-80cm (8-32in)
Width:
50-60cm (20-24in)
Warning:
Not given to pregnant women or patients with hypothyroidism. For use by qualified practitioners only.
Hardiness:
Z5-9
Parts Used:
Leaf, Flower, Stem, Root, Whole plant
Properties:
A bitter, faintly aromatic herbs that controls bleeding, suppresses coughs, and lowers blood sugar levels. It slows and strengthens heart contractions and inhibits thyroid-inducing hormones.
Medicinal Uses:
Internally for hyperthyroidism, nervous tachycardia, coughs (especially in patients with heart disease), tuberculosis, and excessive menstruation.
To treat mild thyroid hyperfunction, liver and kidney disease, tension, PMS, and pain in the breast (mastodynia). Germany's Commission E has approved the use of bugleweed to treat premenstrual syndrome, insomnia and nervousness.
Typical Dose:
A typical dose of bugleweed may range from 1 to 3gm of dried herb taken three times a day.
Possible Side Effects:
No side effects are known when bugleweed is taken in designated dosages.
Drug Interactions:
Taking bugleweed with these drugs may increase the risk of hypertension (high blood pressure):
Ephedrine, (Pretz-D) Ergotamine, (Cafergor, Cafergot)
Rizatriptan Benzoate, (Maxalt) Zolmitriptan, (Zomig)
Taking bugleweed with these drugs may increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar):
Acarbose, (Prandase, Precose) Acetohexamide, (Acetohexamide) Chlorpropamide, (Diabinese, Novo-Propamide) Glicazide, (Diamicron, Novo-Glicazide)
Glimepiride, (Amaryl) Glipizide, (Glucotrol) Glipizide and Metformin, (Metaglip) Gliquidone, (Beglynor, Glurenorm)
Glyburide, (DiaBeta, Micronase) Glyburide and Metformin, (Glucovance) Insulin, (Humulin, Novolin R) Metformin, (Glucophage, Riomet)
Miglitol, (Glyset) Nateglinide, (Starlix) Pioglitazone, (Actos) Repaglinide, (GlucoNorm, Prandin)
Rosiglitazone, (Avandia) Rosiglitazone and Metformin, (Avandamet) Tolazamide, (Tolinase) Tolbutamide, (Apo-Tolbutamide, Tol-Tab)
Taking bugleweed with these drugs may interfere with diagnostic procedures related to thyroid deficiency:
Levothyroxine, (Levothroid, Synthroid) Litothyronine, (Cytomel, Triostat)
Liotrix, (Thyrolar) Thyroid, (Nature-Throid NT, Westhroid)
Lab Test Alterations:
  • May interfere with diagnostic procedures using radioactive isotopes, such as positron emission tomography (PET scans).
  • May improve thyroid function in those with mild hyperthyroidism.
Disease Effects:
  • May trigger hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in people with diabetes.
  • May interfere with thyroid treatments.
Supplement Interactions:
May alter the effects of herbs and supplements that have thyroid activity, such as Balm Leaf and Wild Thyme.
Bibliography:
Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown. Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. pg 268
The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by George T. Grossberg,MD and Barry Fox,PhD Copyright ©2007 By Barry Fox,PhD. Pp 102-103