Ze Lan
English Name: lycopus, (bright) bungleweed
Literal Translation: “marsh orchid”
Pharmaceutical Name: Herba Lycopi
Medica Category: Blood-Invigorating and Stasis-Removing Herbs
Properties: Ze Lan enters the Liver and Spleen channels; it is bitter and acrid in nature and slightly warm in temperature.
What is Ze Lan?:
The Chinese Herb Ze Lan is dried bungleweed (Lycopus lucidus Turcz.; also var. hirtus Regel.), an herbaceous plant that grows throughout the temperate climatic areas in China.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Therapeutic Actions of Ze Lan:
Ze Lan warms the channels and activates blood circulation and has a mild effect to treat various gynecological disorders (e.g. menstrual pain, amenorrhea, and postpartum abdominal pain) characterized by qi and blood stagnation. It also addresses pain and swelling from traumatic/sports injuries (internally or topically) as well chest and hypochondriac pain.
Ze Lan has a mild function to regulate the water cycle and is used in formula to address edema.
–safety note:
Ze Lan has a diuretic action and should be used with caution when the person is taking other diuretic drugs (e.g. chlorothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide (Lasix), bumetanide (Bumex), and torsemide (Demadex)) as concurrent use may led to increased elimination of water and/or loss of electrolytes.