Lycopus

Bugleweed / Virginia horehound

Lycopus virginicus

This plant has been used as a substitute for the herb Digitalis purpurea to treat heart disease, and is said to be one of the mildest and best narcotics in existence. It was once used to encourage the spitting up of blood; for example, in tuberculosis, or heart failure due to disease of the heart valves.

Parts Used

Fresh plant in flower.

Uses

Lycopus is used as a heart remedy to treat aneurysms (swelling of the arteries, most commonly in the aorta and the arteries supplying blood to the brain), pericarditis (inflammation of the membrane that surrounds the heart), heart failure, and abnormal rhythms of the heartbeat. It is particularly useful when the heart itself is feeble but there are violent sensations such as heavy beats (palpitations). The pulse may be weak or very strong. This remedy is also given for protrusion of the eyeballs due to goiter.

Source

Grows in the US.

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