Natural Herb Library

Hirsute Shiny Bugleweed Herb

Chinese
泽兰叶
Pinyin
Ze Lan Ye
Latin
Folium Lycopi
Botanical illustration of Hirsute Shiny Bugleweed Herb, Lycopus lucidus, showing medicinal leaves, flower whorls, dried Ze Lan Ye leaf material, and diagnostic plant details.
Botanical plate by Kodi .

Known in TCM as Ze Lan Ye (泽兰叶), this bitter and acrid, slightly warm herb enters the Liver and Spleen. Traditionally, it invigorates blood and gently regulates menstruation - Ze Lan Ye is used for irregular menses, dysmenorrhea, postpartum stasis, and abdominal discomfort when a milder blood-moving leaf record is preferred, most often applied for menstrual irregularities, dysmenorrhea, and edema. Modern research has identified Rosmarinic among its active constituents.

Part used: Leaf

Also Known As

Lycopi Lycopus Leaf

Latin: Folium Lycopi | Pinyin: Ze Lan Ye | Chinese: 泽兰叶

TCM Properties

Taste
bitter, acrid
Temperature
slightly warm
Channels
Liver, Spleen

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Invigorates blood and gently regulates menstruation - Ze Lan Ye is used for irregular menses, dysmenorrhea, postpartum stasis, and abdominal discomfort when a milder blood-moving leaf record is preferred.
  • Promotes urination and reduces swelling - traditional use includes postpartum or blood-stasis-related edema, water retention, and distension with impaired fluid movement.
  • Supports local or tea-style use - the leaf name is preserved in medicinal teas and gentle adjunctive applications where regulation, light movement, and drainage matter more than aggressive breakthrough action.

Secondary Actions

  • Ze Lan Ye is a leaf-forward or tea-forward presentation of the Lycopus lucidus medicine, while the following Ze Lan sibling will carry the broader standard whole-herb identity.
  • Compared with stronger blood movers, Ze Lan Ye is traditionally considered moving but not especially harsh, which is why it appears in postpartum and gynecologic regulation settings.

Classic Formulas

  • Ze Lan Ye tea - traditional light preparation for menstrual irregularity, mild blood stasis, and urination support.
  • Ze Lan with Fang Ji - classic-style postpartum edema and water-stasis pairing preserved in older clinical references.
  • Ze Lan with Dan Shen or Dang Gui - common blood-regulating strategy for menstrual pain, postpartum abdominal discomfort, or lingering stasis.

Classical References

  • Official Chinese references for Ze Lan describe the Lycopus aerial drug as bitter, acrid, and slightly warm, entering the Liver and Spleen to invigorate blood, regulate menstruation, reduce swelling, and resolve stasis.
  • The leaf naming survives especially in tea, dietary, and lighter-use contexts even though the pharmacopoeial drug is the dried aerial portion more broadly.
  • Traditional comparisons emphasize that Ze Lan moves blood and fluids together, making it especially relevant in postpartum and gynecologic stasis-water overlap.

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Rosmarinic acid and related phenolics - common anti-inflammatory constituents in Lycopus research
  • Pimarane and abietane diterpenoids - notable modern phytochemical constituents from aerial parts
  • Volatile-oil fractions - traditional aromatic-supportive chemistry with antimicrobial interest
  • Flavonoids and polysaccharide-associated fractions - supportive constituents in broader pharmacology work

Studied Effects

  • A 2021 study found Lycopus lucidus reduced neuroinflammatory signaling through the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in cortical-neuron work, supporting modern anti-inflammatory interest in the herb (PMID 33981154).
  • An older 2005 study reported anti-allergic effects of Lycopus lucidus in a mast-cell model, providing a preclinical bridge to inflammation-modulating use (PMID 15936049).
  • A 2022 study isolated pimarane diterpenoids from the aerial parts of Lycopus lucidus and reported antimicrobial activity, reinforcing the relevance of the leaf-and-aerial-part chemistry rather than only the root (PMID 35154345).

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • No blood-stasis pattern or marked blood deficiency with dry constipation
  • Pregnancy without professional guidance

Cautions

  • Because Ze Lan Ye moves blood, it deserves caution in pregnancy and in people with bleeding tendency even though it is often described as gentler than stronger blood-invigorating herbs.
  • Official Chinese references caution concurrent use with cardiac glycosides and advise restraint with anticoagulants, especially at higher doses.
  • Leaf teas and light decoctions are not equivalent to concentrated extracts or multi-herb products.

Drug Interactions

  • Cardiac glycosides - official Chinese references warn of increased adverse effects.
  • Anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs - excessive concurrent use may increase bleeding tendency.

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hirsute Shiny Bugleweed Herb used for?

Hirsute Shiny Bugleweed Herb is traditionally used to Invigorates blood and gently regulates menstruation - Ze Lan Ye is used for irregular menses, dysmenorrhea, postpartum stasis, and abdominal discomfort when a milder blood-moving leaf record is preferred., Promotes urination and reduces swelling - traditional use includes postpartum or blood-stasis-related edema, water retention, and distension with impaired fluid movement., Supports local or tea-style use - the leaf name is preserved in medicinal teas and gentle adjunctive applications where regulation, light movement, and drainage matter more than aggressive breakthrough action.. Research has investigated its effects on: A 2021 study found Lycopus lucidus reduced neuroinflammatory signaling through the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in cortical-neuron work, supporting modern anti-inflammatory interest in the herb (PMID 33981154).; An older 2005 study reported anti-allergic effects of Lycopus lucidus in a mast-cell model, providing a preclinical bridge to inflammation-modulating use (PMID 15936049)..

What are other names for Hirsute Shiny Bugleweed Herb?

Hirsute Shiny Bugleweed Herb is also known as Lycopi, Lycopus Leaf. In TCM: 泽兰叶 (Ze Lan Ye); Folium Lycopi.

Is Hirsute Shiny Bugleweed Herb safe during pregnancy?

The safety of Hirsute Shiny Bugleweed Herb during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.

What are the contraindications for Hirsute Shiny Bugleweed Herb?

Hirsute Shiny Bugleweed Herb should not be used in: No blood-stasis pattern or marked blood deficiency with dry constipation; Pregnancy without professional guidance. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.

Does Hirsute Shiny Bugleweed Herb interact with any medications?

Hirsute Shiny Bugleweed Herb may interact with: Cardiac glycosides - official Chinese references warn of increased adverse effects.; Anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs - excessive concurrent use may increase bleeding tendency.. Always inform your healthcare provider of any herbal supplements you are taking.