15 Amazing Benefits Of Bugle For Skin, Hair And Health
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Bugle – commonly known as Bugleweed is not really common. It is not just another weed that grows wild nor is it an ornamental plant, as it looks in the image above! It is a wonderful herb that comes packed with loads of goodness and benefits. This herb was widely used in ancient times as a natural cure for cough, respiratory disorders, and even malfunctioning thyroid. Plus, it was known as a natural narcotic.
A member of the Mint family, the leaves and flowers of bugle plant serve several medicinal purposes. Its usage is not as common as mint and very little research has been done on it to substantiate its benefits. That is why the amazing bugleweed benefits are yet to be explored.
Before unraveling the benefits of bugleweed herb, let us take a closer look at what exactly it is.
In This Article
What is Bugleweed?
Known botanically as Lycopus virginicus, this is a perennial plant that generally thrives in damp regions. Packed with various photochemical compounds, including tannins, lycopene, lithospermic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, and ellagic acid, it is also a good source of resin and magnesium. If sources are to be believed, this plant owes its medicinal properties to the abundance of lithospermic acid and other organic acids.
Bugleweed Benefits for Skin
1. Promotes Quick Healing:
A poultice of bugleweed when applied topically on wounds is known to heal it faster. It is also known to offer effective relief from burns. A decoction of flowers and leaves in wine is used to dissolve the blood that gets clotted due to bruises. Its styptic nature prevents excess loss of blood, paving way for faster healing.
2. Enhances Complexion:
Gypsies use the extract of this plant to improve their complexion. It was also used as a cosmetic in ancient times. But be careful before using bugle as a cosmetic as no studies have been done to substantiate its cosmetic properties.
Health Benefits Of Bugleweed
3. Relieves Respiratory Distress:
This herb is known for its powerful expectorant and anti-tussive properties. This enables it to be used as an effective cure for cough as well as various other respiratory disorders. A warm cup of bugleweed tea relaxes the mucous membranes, decongests the respiratory system, and helps in faster recovery. Prepare an infusion by steeping 1 tsp dried leaves of bugleweed plant in 200 ml water for 15 minutes. Strain and drink this thrice a day to keep the respiratory system healthy.
4. Maintains Healthy Thyroid Levels:
Studies suggest that an infusion made with the leaves of Bugle can regulate the functions of thyroid gland. It curbs the synthesis of the excess thyroid hormone, easing and preventing hyperthyroidism and its associated negative impacts.
5. Natural Relaxing Agent:
The tincture as well as tea made from this herb is known to posses anti-anxiety properties. Plus, they are rich in antioxidants. A synergic functioning of these properties enables it to curb the free radicals that cause stress and depression. It is a well-known natural sedative too. This enables it to be used as an alternative remedy for stress, anxiety, depression, and even insomnia.
6. Improves Heart Health:
Studies conducted on this herb indicate that it has powerful heart toning properties. Bugle aids in maintaining a healthy rate of heartbeat by easing palpitations. It is also known to be effective in curing Graves’ disease, a condition where you heartbeat spirals up in an uncontrollable fashion, leaving your short of breath and shaky.
[ Read: Benefits Of Red Clover For Health ]
7. Relieves Menstrual Cramps:
Studies reveal that this weed can help women who are suffering from intense premenstrual disorders. This herb is known to ease the anxiety, tension, and stress experienced during this stage by improving the flow of blood. It is also effective in reducing the pain experienced in the breasts during pre-menstrual stage. The infusion as well as tincture of Bugle is known to give women a hassle-free period by regulating menstruation and easing cramps.
Women, who are looking to wean their little one, can also take the help of this herb as it is known to lower and even suppress the production of breast milk.
8. Effective Cure for Tuberculosis:
Bugle has been put forward as an effective herbal remedy for tuberculosis. It is known to be more effective in cases where the patients suffering from TB also has chest tenderness, heart debility, as well as palpitations.
9. Positive Impact on Diabetes Type 2:
The tincture is known to possess hypoglycemic properties that aid in lowering the levels of sugar in blood. It also helps in easing the pain as well as contraction experienced by Type 2 diabetics in the tissues of their mucus membranes.
10. Aids in Weight Loss:
Being low in calorific value and rich in hypoglycemic properties, this herb can be used by those who are on a weight loss regimen. It also helps in curbing excessive appetite levels, preventing you from overeating.
11. Maintains Blood Pressure Levels:
This herb is an anti-hypertensive and anti-hypotensive agent. It safeguards you from the negative impact of low and high blood pressure, keeping your body fighting fit.
12. Promotes Digestion:
A naturally rich tonic for your body, it helps in easing stomach disorders. It regulates your appetite and promotes digestion. It is also known to ease the irritation triggered by diarrhea, aiding in faster recovery from diarrhea. Bugle tea also helps in treating various stomach disorders, including digestion and dyspepsia. It is also an effective cure for enteritis and gastritis.
13. Effective for Dysuria:
Dysuria is a medical condition where urination is accompanied by intense pain. A natural diuretic agent, bugle is also a vaso-relaxant. These properties help soothe the muscles of the urinary tract, easing the pain associated with this condition.
14. Natural Antipyretic Agent:
It had been and is still used as an alternative cure for high fever, especially if it is accompanied by nose bleeds. It is also known to calm the tensed nervous system, helping in bringing down the high temperature experienced during fever.
15. Prevents Excessive Blood Loss:
Bugle is known to reduce hemorrhoids and nose bleeds too. The tincture as well as tea prepared using bugle is known to be effective in curbing bleeding during urination.
[ Read: Benefits Of Calendula Herb For Health ]
How to Use Bugleweed?
Bugle is best used in the form of tincture or tea. If you are using tea bags, then steep 1 tea bag of bugle leaves in 200 ml boiling water for 8 minutes. If you want your drink to be stronger, then steep for 10 minutes. Remember the infusion is bitter in taste. So you can add about 1 tsp each of honey and lemon to reduce the bitterness.
You can also prepare the tea with dried leaves. Use 1 tsp of dried bugle leaves. Steep it in 200 ml water for 10 minutes, strain, sweeten as desired and drink.
Bugle weed tinctures are available in the market too. Add 6 to 12 drops to juice or water and drink thrice a day.
Bugleweed Side Effects
As with any other herb, bugle herb too can affect you adversely. It is important to be aware of its side effects to use it safely.
- This herb has hypoglycemic action and it is advisable that diabetics consult their physician before taking this herb. It can drastically lower the sugar levels in the body, especially when used along with the prescribed drugs.
- Bugle is not advisable for those who are suffering from hypothyroidism.
- Pregnant women should avoid using this herb as there are no scientific evidences available that support its use during this condition.
- Lactating mothers are also advised to stay away from bugle, unless they want to start weaning.
The bugle usage is not as common as other herbs, and there is a dearth of established proofs that support its benefits. Check with your doctor before you start using the herb to avoid adverse effects on your health.
What are your thoughts about bugleweed uses? Have you ever used it? Share with us right below in the comments section!
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