Prunella 4:1

History:

Prunella is a creeping perennial that is native to Eurasia and grows throughout Europe and North America, where it may be found in damp meadows, pastures, waste places and on roadsides, thriving in moist, well-drained soil in sunny areas or light shade. It is a genus of seven harbaceous plants known as "self-heals." When imported to North America and Australia, it quickly became naturalized as a common wildflower and abundant in open and exposed situations, tending to oust native flowers. Prunella is a diminutive plant but will grow larger in all its parts when growing in more sheltered places. The main stem of the plant is grooved and rough to the touch and bears pointed oval leaves with dense, purple flower clusters (sometimes blue or pink). Prunella does not appear to have been known to the ancient Romans or Greeks, but it was mentioned in Chinese medical literature during the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.- A.D. 23) as an important herb in the treatment of complaints associated with a disturbed liver, high blood pressure and conjunctivitis. In Western medicine, it has always been regarded primarily as a wound herb, giving rise to many of its common names, including Woundwort, etc. The plant's botanical genus, Prunella, is derived from Brunellen, a name given to it by the Germans, because it rose to prominence when military physicians used it to treat a contagious fever that raged among the German Imperial troops in 1547 and 1566, which was characterized by a sore throat and a brown-coated tongue. The fever was called "the browns" (braun is the German word for "brown"). In John Gerard's Herbal[l] of 1597, he claimed there was no "better wound[e] herb[e]" in the world than "Self Heal" (another common name) and said it would "heal any green wound[e]."  In 1653, the great English herbalist, Nicholas Culpeper, wrote that "Self Heal" would be good taken both "inwardly or outwardly for wounds and bleeding" and would "cleanse the foulness of sores and speedily heal them." In North America, Prunella's antiseptic and antibacterial effects were said to be particularly good in cases of food poisoning, and in the Pacific Northwest, its juice was used by the Quinault and Quileute tribes for the treatment of boils. They also used the whole plant to treat cuts and inflammations. Prunella is an astringent, slightly bitter, saline herb that is harvested when in optimum condition (and the plant is in bloom). Although the plant is a member of the mint family, no mint fragrance or flavor is present, and all the aerial (above-ground) parts of the plant are used in herbal therapies. Some of the constituents included in Prunella include volatile oil, a bitter principle, tannin, rutin, beta-carotene, sugar, cellulose and vitamins B-1, C and K.

Prunella is regarded as an herbal astringent that has been historically effective in supporting the body's efforts to control both external and internal bleeding. It has been used internally in Western herbal medicine as a styptic to inhibit hemorrhage, internal bleeding ulcers and excessive menstruation; and its gentle astringency also works with the body to manage chronic and sudden diarrhea (although it is always recommended that this application be used under the aegis of a health care provider). For external use, those astringent qualities may be applied to support relief of hemorrhoids and reduce the bleeding of wounds and cuts.

Considered an botanical antiviral, Prunella is reputedly useful for managing herpes virus infection - in two ways. It is suggested to be a viral replication inhibitor, restraining the virus from growing within cells and also by inhibiting its ability to bind to cells. Moreover, recent and very hopeful research has shown interesting results with respect to HIV and AIDS. In Japan, studies demonstrated strong anti-HIV effects in laboratory conditions; and Canadian scientists claim that Prunella blocks cell-to-cell transmission of the HIV virus and also interferes with the virus's ability to bind with T-cells, the immune cells that are destroyed by HIV infection. At the University of California at Davis, scientists have identified a complex sugar in the herb that accounts for its actions against HIV.

Prunella is considered an herbal antibiotic and antiseptic (which supports its historical and traditional use to help ease sore throats and heal "green" wounds), and its antibiotic effects are thought to be useful for supporting the body's own healing properties to  inhibit the growth of pseudomonas, Bacillus typhi, E. coli and Mycobacterium tuberculi.  It is still used externally in gargles to relieve sore throat and ulcerated mouth, in addition to hindering the spread of infection and speeding up the healing of wounds, cuts, bruises, burns, ulcers and sores, it may also help to reduce scarring.

Prunella is said to support the body's own natural efforts to reduce lymphatic congestion and  may, thus, be useful in cases of swollen glands, mumps and mastitis.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Prunella was used through the centuries as a liver and gallbladder stimulant and to manage conjunctivitis, hypertension and headaches, among other disorders.

Recommended Dosage:
Take one (1) to two (2) capsules, three (3) times each day with water at mealtimes.

Contraindications:
Those with diarrhea, nausea, stomachache or vomiting should consult a physician before using Prunella Herbal Supplement. This herb could potentially interfere with actions of prescription blood thinners (Plavix, Coumadin, etc.).

Capsule Information:
Our Prunella 4:1 supplements are encapsulated in 100% Gluten-free, Vegetable Cellulose, Certified Kosher, size "00" Capsules.(click here for size comparison) Each capsule contains approximately 600 mgs."

Special Note:
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Disclaimer:
The information presented herein by Herbal Extracts Plus is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.