As the largest endocrine gland in human body, the thyroid plays a vital role in regulating human growth and metabolism through synthesizing thyroid hormones. Malfunctions of the thyroid can cause serious thyroid related diseases including goiter, autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), and thyroid cancer. Among these thyroid-related diseases, goiter is commonly found in the general population. Clinically, it involves either diffuse or nodular goiters based on the thyroid histology. The cause of goiter is complicated and can be associated with a euthyroid, hyperthyroid, or hypothyroid metabolic state. People with goiter tend to have a normal life, but some suffer from discomfort, such as pain, airway blockage and esophageal blockage. In addition, nodules may form in the later stage of goiter that can aggravate the disease and even lead to thyroid cancer. Therefore, medications for the prevention and early intervention of goiter and its development are urgently required.
Prunella vulgaris L. is a very popular herb in China, and has great potential for improving human immunity. It belongs to the Lamiaceae family, genus Prunella, and its medical components are accumulated mainly in either the dry fruit-spike or the whole herb. This plant has a wide spectrum of biological effects, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiestrogenic , and immunomodulatory actions . Because of these beneficial medical applications, Prunella vulgaris is popularly consumed as a tea in China and some European countries.
To date, many studies have been carried out on the active ingredients of . Prunella vulgaris. Important constituents include polysaccharides, ursolic acids, phenolic acids, triterpenoids, flavonoids, and tannins. Some of these have notable effects on particular biological functions. For example, the inhibition of inflammatory response caused by rosmarinic acid, antioxidant effects of phenols, and anti-tumor effects of caffeic acid. Clinically, many studies have used Prunella vulgaris to treat a variety of diseases, including many types of thyroid disease. Thyroid hormone plays an important role in regulating huamn body metabolism. Therefore, it is of great reference value to explore the therapeutic effect of Prunella vulgaris in treating metabolic diseases in the future. Prunella vulgaris has been studied for its protective role in various metabolic disorders, including diabetes. Prunella vulgaris is suggested to be a good therapeutic inhibitor for diabetic vascular disease through exerting anti-inflammatory effects via the ROS/NF-κB pathway. The caffeic acid extracts of Prunella vulgaris are known to increase serum insulin levels, and attenuate alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase, therefore vulgaris is suggested to be a potential agent for ameliorating type I diabetes.
Prunella vulgaris extracts are suggested to have profound anti-cancerous effects, including for thyroid cancer, breast cancer, hepatocellular carcinomac, and uterine myoma. The root extracts of Prunella vulgaris are found to have anti-cancer effects. Prunella vulgaris is an herb that can potentially be used in the treatment of various diseases. Its anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation properties receive the most attention. In addition, its effects on apoptosis and metastatic functions in various cancers are also recognized. Prunella vulgaris is generally used as a component of an herbal recipe or in combination with western medicines. Several herbal recipes exist that contain P. vulgaris and are used to combat a variety of diseases.
Prunella vulgaris is generally used as a component of an herbal recipe or in combination with western medicines. Several herbal recipes exist that contain Prunella vulgaris and are used to combat a variety of diseases.
How to make Prunella tea?
Place the water in a pot and add the prunella (1 to 2 teaspoons of dried leaves per cup). Bring the mixture to a boil. Let it simmer on low heat for about 30 minutes. Drink the hot tea once or twice per day as part of a self-healing regimen.
Or
- Place 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried self-heal leaves into a cup of hot water.
- Steep the tea for an hour.
- Drink two or three cups of self-heal tea per day.