What are the effects and uses of the traditional Chinese medicine Lycopus lucidus?

1. Invigorating blood

This plant can invigorate blood, and it has few side effects, so it can be used for any sprain. Generally speaking, we can also use it together with medicinal materials such as Angelica sinensis (dong quai).

2. Menstrual pain

For women, this plant is like a blessing, because if there is irregular menstruation, or amenorrhea, we can use it for treatment.

3. Removing blood stasis

Besides its effects on menstruation, it also has effects for women after childbirth, because if blood accumulates, we can use it to prepare medicine. In cases of external injury, we can also mash fresh Lycopus lucidus and then apply it externally. If there is liver cirrhosis, we can also use it to make a liquid medicine. This medicine can be combined with other medicines.

Knowledge about this already appears in ancient herbal books; for example, combined with Eupatorium fortunei (peilan), it can break blood stasis and invigorate blood. Of course, one point we need to note is that people who do not have blood stasis must absolutely not consume it casually, and those who already have deficient blood must not use it either.

4. Reducing swelling

Because women may very likely swell after childbirth, at this time we can also use it to make a good medicine, and then this problem can be relieved. This formula has existed for a very long time, so there is no need to worry about whether it is safe.

This medicinal material can be used together with substances such as Poria cocos (fuling) to relieve this symptom. Sometimes we can take it orally, sometimes it can be made into pills, and sometimes it can be mashed for external use.