Bugleweed

Scientific Name(s): Lycopus europaeus L.
Common Name(s): Bitter bugle, Bugleweed, Carpenter's herb, Green archangel, Gypsywort, Northern bugleweed, Paul's betony, Purple archangel, Rough bugleweed, Sweet bugle, Virginia water horehound, Water bugle, Water horehound, Wolf foot, Wolfstrappkraut

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 28, 2021.

Clinical Overview

Use

Bugleweed is used to treat mild hyperthyroidism, premenstrual syndrome, and breast pain; however, quality clinical studies are lacking to support these uses.

Dosing

Clinical trials are lacking regarding dosages for specific clinical applications. A daily dosage of Lycopi europaei herba 40 mg/day taken in divided doses was used for 3 months in an open-label clinical study for mild hyperthyroidism.

Contraindications

None specifically identified except pregnancy. Exercise caution in patients with hypothyroidism.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Contraindicated in pregnancy and lactation because of the potential for antigonadotropic and antithyrotropic effects; however, clinical data are lacking.

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

Clinical trials and case reports are lacking. Bugleweed taken in high amounts or stopped suddenly might theoretically cause thyroid enlargement.

Toxicology

Information is lacking.

Scientific Family

• Lamiaceae (mint)

Botany

Bugleweed is an herbaceous perennial mint that grows in wet habitats. The leaves are toothed, and the small white flowers surround the square stem at the leaf axils in dense clusters. The plant has little odor; the European species has a bitter taste, but the American species is not bitter. The whole herb is used medicinally.1 Other members of the Lycopus (water horehound), including Lycopus asper Greene, Lycopus unifloris Michx., and Lycopus virginicus L., are also broadly termed bugleweed.

History

Traditional uses of bugleweed include treatment of nosebleeds, heavy menstrual bleeding, and coughs. It has also been used as a sedative, astringent, and mild narcotic, and for tuberculosis characterized by bleeding from the lungs. More current uses are primarily for mild hyperthyroid conditions and for premenstrual syndrome, including breast pain (mastodynia).2, 3, 4

Chemistry

The phenolic compounds lithospermic acid, rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid, and caffeic acid have been identified in both L. europaeus and L. virginicus.5, 6 The flavonoids luteolin 7-glucoside, luteolin 3′,7-diglucoside, luteolin 7-glucuronide, and apigenin 7-glucoside have also been isolated from L. europaeus, L. virginicus, and Lycopus lucidus.7, 8, 9, 10 Several isopimarane diterpenes have been isolated as well.11, 12, 13 An automated thin-layer chromatography method for analysis of Lycopus and other plants has been published.14, 15

Uses and Pharmacology

Antigonadotropic effect

Clinical studies are lacking; however, one small clinical trial measured no changes in plasma estradiol, testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, or luteinizing hormone levels.2

Flavonoids and phenolics from Lycopus species exert antigonadotropic activity in animal ...