Ze Lan
StarLycopus lucidus Turcz. var. hirtus Regel
☯ TCM Properties
Invigorates Blood and Regulates Menstruation; Invigorates Blood and Alleviates Pain; Disperses Swelling and Dissipates Abscesses; Promotes Urination and Reduces Edema
Traditional Chinese Uses
Ze Lan (lycopus herb, bugleweed) is a slightly warm, bitter herb used in Chinese medicine to invigorate Blood and regulate the Chong channel — making it a primary herb for menstrual irregularities, amenorrhea, and postpartum Blood stagnation with abdominal pain. Its mild diuretic action drains swelling and water retention, especially postpartum edema. Unlike stronger Blood-breaking herbs, Ze Lan's moderate action and mild nature make it suitable for use in more deficient patients and for gentler Blood regulation.
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Lycopus lucidus var. hirtus (Lamiaceae), shiny bugleweed or Ze Lan, is an erect perennial herb 30-110 cm tall with characteristic square stems bearing retrorse pubescence along the angles and producing slender white stolons. Opposite, sessile to subsessile, narrowly lanceolate leaves 4-10 cm long have sharply serrate margins and a glossy upper surface that gives the species its name. Small whitish to pinkish two-lipped flowers are densely clustered in axillary verticillasters at the upper nodes from midsummer to autumn. Native to moist meadows, streamsides, marshes, and ditches across China, Korea, Japan, and the Russian Far East. The aerial parts are harvested at flowering, dried, and used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to invigorate blood and promote diuresis, particularly in gynecological disorders. (Sources: POWO; Wikipedia; Bensky)
Active Constituents
Rosmarinic acid
Phenolic (caffeic acid ester)Concentration: Principal phenolic constituent
A major phenolic acid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity; in Lycopus species rosmarinic acid and related phenolics underlie the reported endocrine (antithyrotropic) and vascular effects.
Caffeic acid and protocatechuic acid / aldehyde
Phenolic acidsConcentration: Moderate
Contribute to potent antioxidant (superoxide-scavenging) activity and to the mild antiplatelet, blood-invigorating action attributed to Ze Lan.
Luteolin and luteolin glycosides (luteolin-7-O-glucuronide)
Flavone / flavone glycosidesConcentration: Characteristic flavonoids
Flavones isolated from the aerial parts with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiplatelet activity.
Rutin
Flavonol glycosideConcentration: Minor to moderate
A vasoprotective flavonoid contributing to antioxidant capacity and capillary support.
Ursolic acid and triterpenes
TriterpenoidsConcentration: Minor
Pentacyclic triterpenes reported from Lycopus with anti-inflammatory activity.
Volatile / essential oil
Terpenoid volatile oilConcentration: Small percentage
Aromatic constituents of the aerial parts contributing to the herb's dispersing, blood-moving character.
⚠ Drug Interactions
Levothyroxine and thyroid hormone replacement
Lycopus phenolics (notably rosmarinic acid) inhibit peripheral T4-to-T3 conversion and reduce TSH-driven thyroid stimulation via adenylate cyclase inhibition, pharmacodynamically opposing exogenous thyroid hormone.
Clinical note: Avoid combining with levothyroxine; monitor thyroid function if co-used. Contraindicated in hypothyroidism.
Antithyroid drugs (methimazole, propylthiouracil)
Lycopus reduces thyroid activity and thyroid hormone levels; combined with antithyroid drugs this could produce additive hypothyroid effects.
Clinical note: Use only under supervision with thyroid monitoring.
Radioactive iodine (thyroid imaging / therapy)
By altering thyroid hormone signalling and pituitary feedback, Lycopus may interfere with radioiodine uptake studies and treatment.
Clinical note: Discontinue before scheduled radioiodine imaging or therapy.
Anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs
Ze Lan has mild antiplatelet-aggregation activity, so combining it with warfarin or antiplatelet agents could theoretically add to bleeding risk.
Clinical note: Monitor for bleeding; caution around surgery.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
Preparation Methods
Decoction
Parts: Aerial parts (stem and leaf, Herba Lycopi)
The dried aerial parts are decocted in water, typically 6-12 g, to invigorate blood, regulate menstruation and reduce swelling, especially in postpartum blood-stasis patterns and traumatic injury.
Powder or wine-processed
Parts: Aerial parts
Ground herb or a wine-fried preparation may be used to strengthen the blood-moving and pain-relieving action for amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea and abscesses; also applied topically for swelling and bruising.
Clinical Studies
The aqueous extract of Lycopus lucidus Turcz ameliorates streptozotocin-induced diabetic renal damage via inhibiting TGF-beta1 signaling pathway
In streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and SV40 MES13 cells, the aqueous extract of Lycopus lucidus suppressed TGF-beta1/Smad2 and ERK1/2 signalling, reduced serum creatinine and BUN, and ameliorated mesangial expansion, indicating a renoprotective, antifibrotic effect. This is an animal/cell study, not a human trial.
Historical Texts
Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Divine Farmer's Classic of Materia Medica)
Han dynasty (c. 1st-2nd century CE)Ming Yi Bie Lu (Miscellaneous Records of Famous Physicians)
c. 500 CE (Tao Hongjing)References
- Yao Y, Yang J, Wang D, et al.. The aqueous extract of Lycopus lucidus Turcz ameliorates streptozotocin-induced diabetic renal damage via inhibiting TGF-beta1 signaling pathway . Phytomedicine, 20(13):1160-1167 (2013) [DOI]
- Woo ER, Piao MS. Antioxidative constituents from Lycopus lucidus . Archives of Pharmacal Research, 27(2):173-176 (2004) [DOI]
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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