Background
- Bugleweed was reportedly discovered on the banks of streams in the southeastern United States, but now grows throughout North America. Bugleweed has been used historically for an overactive thyroid, especially where symptoms include tightness of breath, palpitation (rapid and irregular heartbeat) and shaking.
- Bugleweed has proposed astringent, blood sugar-lowering, mild narcotic, and mild sedative actions. Herbalists have traditionally used bugleweed to treat cough, mild heart conditions, bleeding in the lungs from tuberculosis, heavy menstruation, and to reduce fever and mucus production in the flu and colds. It has also has been used in combination with lemon balm for treating patients with Graves' disease and other forms of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).
- Currently there is a lack of high-quality clinical trials investigating the safety and efficacy of bugleweed.
References
Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to . Selected references are listed below.
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View Abstract - Sourgens, H, Winterhoff, H, Gumbinger, HG, et al. Antihormonal effects of plant extracts. Planta Med 1982;45(6):78-86.
View Abstract - Vonhoff, C, Baumgartner, A, Hegger, et al. Extract of Lycopus europaeus L. reduces cardiac signs of hyperthyroidism in rats. Life Sci 2-2-2006;78(10):1063-1070.
View Abstract - Wagner, H, Horhammer, L, and Frank, U. [Lithospermic acid, the antihormonally active principle of Lycopus europaeus L. and Symphytum officinale. 3. Ingredients of medicinal plants with hormonal and antihormonal-like effect]. Arzneimittelforschung. 1970;20(5):705-713.
View Abstract