Herb Whole plant / Aerial parts (全草 quán cǎo)

Ze Lan

Bugleweed herb · 泽兰

Lycopus lucidus Turcz. var. hirtus Regel · Herba Lycopi

Also known as: Hu Lan (虎兰), Long Zao (龙枣), Xiao Ze Lan (小泽兰),

Ze Lan (Bugleweed herb) plant

Images shown are for educational purposes only

Ze Lan (Bugleweed herb) is a gentle Blood-moving herb traditionally valued in women's health for regulating menstruation, easing period pain, and helping recovery after childbirth. It also has a mild water-draining action, making it useful for certain types of swelling. Classical texts describe it as effective yet mild, meaning it promotes circulation without being too aggressive on the body.

Category Blood-invigorating and stasis-dispelling herbs (活血化瘀药) Blood-invigorating and menstruation-regulating herbs (活血调经药)
Therapeutic focus Menstrual Health Postpartum recovery Circulation Support Fluid Retention and Edema

TCM Properties

Temperature

Slightly Warm

Taste

Bitter (苦 kǔ), Acrid / Pungent (辛 xīn)

Channels entered

Liver, Spleen

Parts used

Whole plant / Aerial parts (全草 quán cǎo)

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Educational content • Consult qualified TCM practitioners for diagnosis and treatment

What This Herb Does

Every herb has a specific set of actions — here's what Ze Lan does in the body, explained in both everyday and TCM terms

Therapeutic focus

In practical terms, Ze Lan is primarily used to support these areas of health:

Menstrual Health Postpartum recovery Circulation Support Fluid Retention and Edema

TCM Actions

In TCM terminology, these are the specific therapeutic actions that Ze Lan performs to restore balance in the body:

Invigorates Blood and Regulates Menstruation Invigorates Blood and Alleviates Pain Disperses Swelling and Dissipates Abscesses Promotes Urination and Reduces Edema

How these actions work

'Invigorates Blood and regulates menstruation' means Ze Lan gently promotes blood circulation through the uterus and Liver channel, helping to restore a regular menstrual cycle. It is the herb's core action and the reason it has been called a 'key herb for women's medicine' across many classical texts. Its bitter and acrid taste combined with slightly warm nature allows it to move Blood without being overly harsh, making it suitable for menstrual irregularities, absent periods, painful periods, and postpartum abdominal pain caused by lingering Blood stasis.

'Dispels Blood stasis and relieves pain' refers to Ze Lan's ability to break up old, stagnant blood that causes pain after injury or surgery. Because it enters the Liver (which stores Blood) and the Spleen (which holds Blood in the vessels), it is used for traumatic injuries with bruising and swelling, as well as for abdominal masses. Classical sources describe it as 'moving without being aggressive' (行而不峻), meaning it circulates Blood effectively but gently compared to stronger stasis-breaking herbs.

'Reduces swelling and disperses abscesses' means Ze Lan can be applied topically or taken internally to help resolve early-stage boils, sores, and swollen tissue. Its Blood-moving action helps clear the local stagnation that underlies many types of swelling and infection.

'Promotes urination and reduces edema' means Ze Lan has a mild diuretic effect that helps the body eliminate excess fluid. This is especially relevant when fluid retention coexists with Blood stasis, as commonly seen in postpartum edema or abdominal fluid accumulation (ascites). This water-regulating effect is relatively gentle, so Ze Lan is typically combined with stronger diuretic herbs like Fang Ji (Stephania root) for this purpose.

Patterns Addressed

In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony. Ze Lan is used to help correct these specific patterns.

Why Ze Lan addresses this pattern

Ze Lan directly addresses Blood Stagnation through its bitter, acrid, and slightly warm nature. The acrid taste disperses and moves, while the bitter taste descends and drains. Together with its slight warmth, these properties drive stagnant Blood out of the Liver and Spleen channels. Ze Lan is particularly effective for Blood stasis affecting the lower abdomen and uterus, where it restores the free flow of Blood through the Chong and Ren vessels. Classical sources note it 'breaks old Blood' (破宿血) and 'disperses masses' (消症瘕), reflecting its ability to address both acute stasis from injury and chronic accumulation.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Dysmenorrhoea

Painful periods with dark, clotted menstrual blood

Amenorrhea

Absent periods due to Blood stasis rather than deficiency

Abdominal Pain

Fixed, stabbing lower abdominal pain that worsens with pressure

Bruising

Persistent bruising or swelling from traumatic injury

Commonly Used For

These are conditions where Ze Lan is frequently used — but only when they arise from the specific patterns it addresses, not in all cases

Arises from: Food Stagnation in the Stomach Blood Stagnation

TCM Interpretation

TCM understands painful periods primarily as a problem of obstructed flow. When Blood in the uterus and Chong vessel fails to move freely, it pools and stagnates, creating a 'blockage causes pain' (不通则痛) situation. Contributing factors often include emotional stress constraining the Liver (which governs the smooth flow of Qi and Blood), exposure to cold constricting the Blood vessels of the lower abdomen, or constitutional weakness of the Spleen failing to properly govern Blood circulation. The hallmark signs of Blood stasis pain are a fixed location, stabbing quality, dark menstrual blood with clots, and pain that precedes or accompanies the period rather than coming after it.

Why Ze Lan Helps

Ze Lan's slightly warm, acrid, and bitter nature makes it well-suited for menstrual pain caused by Blood stasis. Its warmth gently opens constricted Blood vessels in the lower abdomen, while its acrid taste disperses stagnation and its bitter taste helps drive Blood downward and outward. Because it enters the Liver channel (which governs menstruation) and the Spleen channel (which holds Blood in the vessels), it targets the exact organ systems involved in menstrual regulation. Classical texts consistently praise its ability to 'move without being aggressive,' making it safe enough for regular menstrual support rather than only acute crises. It is commonly paired with Dang Gui and Bai Shao to simultaneously nourish the Blood that is being moved.

Also commonly used for

Amenorrhea

Absent or very scanty periods from Blood stagnation

Irregular Menstruation

Menstrual cycle irregularity with stasis signs

Postpartum Abdominal Pain

Pain from retained lochia after childbirth

Ascites

Abdominal fluid accumulation, especially with liver disease

Bruising

Traumatic bruising and swelling from injury

Acute Breast Abscesses

Early-stage boils and abscesses

Endometriosis

Pelvic Blood stasis with pain and masses

Uterine Fibroids

Abdominal masses related to Blood stagnation

Herb Properties

Every herb has an inherent temperature, taste, and affinity for specific channels — these properties determine how it interacts with the body

Temperature

Slightly Warm

Taste

Bitter (苦 kǔ), Acrid / Pungent (辛 xīn)

Channels Entered

Liver Spleen

Parts Used

Whole plant / Aerial parts (全草 quán cǎo)

Dosage & Preparation

These are general dosage guidelines for Ze Lan — always follow your practitioner's recommendation, as dosages vary based on the formula and your individual condition

Standard dosage

6-12g

Maximum dosage

Up to 15g in decoction for severe Blood stasis or edema, under practitioner supervision. Some clinical sources cite 10-15g as the upper therapeutic range.

Dosage notes

Use the lower range (6-9g) for mild Blood stasis with menstrual irregularity or mild edema. Use the higher range (10-15g) for more pronounced Blood stasis conditions such as amenorrhea, postpartum abdominal pain, or significant edema with Blood stasis. For external use on traumatic injuries or abscesses, fresh Ze Lan can be mashed and applied as a poultice in appropriate amounts. When combining with other Blood-invigorating herbs (Dang Gui, Chuan Xiong, Tao Ren), the dose of Ze Lan can be kept moderate to avoid excessive Blood movement.

Processing Methods

In TCM, the same herb can be prepared in different ways to change its effects — here's how processing alters what Ze Lan does

Processing method

Remove residual roots and impurities, briefly rinse, moisten until pliable, cut into short segments (0.5-1cm), then dry. This is the standard processed form described in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.

How it changes properties

This basic processing does not significantly alter the herb's thermal nature or taste. The main purpose is to make the herb clean, uniform, and easier to decoct effectively, allowing better extraction of active constituents during cooking. The temperature remains slightly warm, and all core actions are preserved.

When to use this form

This is the standard dispensary form used in the vast majority of clinical prescriptions. Whenever a formula calls for Ze Lan without further specification, this cut-segment form is what is used.

Common Herb Pairs

These ingredients are traditionally combined with Ze Lan for enhanced therapeutic effect

Fang Ji
Fang Ji 1:1 (equal parts, ground to powder)

Ze Lan invigorates Blood and mildly promotes urination, while Fang Ji powerfully drains dampness and reduces edema. Together they address postpartum or stasis-related edema from both the Blood and water sides, one warm and one cool, creating a balanced approach to fluid retention complicated by Blood stasis.

When to use: Postpartum edema with facial and limb swelling, especially when Blood stasis and water retention coexist. Also applicable for chronic edema with underlying Blood stagnation.

Dang Gui
Dang Gui 3:1 (Ze Lan 9g : Dang Gui 3g) or as directed by the formula

Ze Lan moves and breaks stagnant Blood, while Dang Gui nourishes and replenishes Blood. Together they ensure that Blood stasis is resolved without depleting the body's Blood supply, embodying the principle of 'moving within nourishing.' This prevents the common side effect of Blood-moving herbs leaving the patient further depleted.

When to use: Blood stasis with underlying Blood deficiency, presenting as painful or absent periods with scanty flow, pallor, and gradual emaciation. The classic Ze Lan Tang from the Ji Feng Pu Ji Fang uses this combination.

Chuan Lian Zi
Chuan Lian Zi 1:1 (equal parts)

Ze Lan invigorates Blood and dispels stasis through the Liver channel, while Chuan Lian Zi (Melia fruit) clears Liver Heat, soothes Liver Qi, and relieves pain. Together they address both the Qi stagnation and Blood stasis components of Liver constraint, providing more complete relief of rib-side and menstrual pain than either herb alone.

When to use: Liver Qi stagnation with Blood stasis causing hypochondriac pain, menstrual irregularities, period pain, or abdominal masses, particularly when there are signs of Liver constraint with Heat.

Yi Mu Cao
Yi Mu Cao 1:1.5 (Ze Lan 9g : Yi Mu Cao 15g)

Both herbs invigorate Blood and regulate menstruation, but they complement each other: Ze Lan is slightly warm and gentle, while Yi Mu Cao is cool and more forceful. Combined, they provide strong Blood-moving and menstruation-regulating action with a balanced thermal profile, suitable for a wider range of Blood stasis presentations.

When to use: Stubborn amenorrhoea, severe dysmenorrhoea, or postpartum pain where a single Blood-moving herb is insufficient. Especially useful when the stasis pattern does not clearly lean toward Heat or Cold.

Comparable Ingredients

These ingredients have overlapping uses — here's how to tell them apart

Yi Mu Cao
Ze Lan vs Yi Mu Cao

Both invigorate Blood and regulate menstruation, and both are considered essential herbs for women's health. However, Yi Mu Cao (Leonurus, Motherwort) is cool in nature and has stronger Blood-moving, diuretic, and toxin-clearing abilities, making it better suited for Blood stasis with Heat signs or toxic swellings. Ze Lan is slightly warm and gentler in action, described classically as 'moving without being aggressive' (行而不峻). Ze Lan is preferred when the patient has signs of Cold or deficiency alongside stasis, or when a milder approach is needed. Yi Mu Cao's water-draining effect is also stronger than Ze Lan's.

Tao Ren
Ze Lan vs Tao Ren

Both dispel Blood stasis, but Tao Ren (Peach kernel) is a stronger stasis-breaker that also moistens the intestines and treats constipation. Ze Lan is milder in its Blood-moving action and additionally promotes urination and reduces edema, an action Tao Ren lacks. Ze Lan is better suited for chronic, mild Blood stasis with fluid retention, while Tao Ren is chosen for more severe or acute Blood stasis, or when stasis is accompanied by dry stools.

Pei Lan
Ze Lan vs Pei Lan

Despite similar names, these are completely different herbs from different plant families. Pei Lan (Eupatorium, from the daisy family) is acrid and neutral, enters the Spleen and Stomach channels, and its primary action is to transform dampness and resolve turbidity. It has no Blood-moving action. Ze Lan (Lycopus, from the mint family) enters the Liver and Spleen, is slightly warm, and primarily moves Blood. They should never be confused or substituted for each other. Ze Lan has a square stem; Pei Lan has a round stem.

Common Substitutes & Adulterants

Related species and common adulterations to be aware of when sourcing Ze Lan

The most significant and historically persistent confusion is between Ze Lan (泽兰, Lycopus lucidus var. hirtus, Lamiaceae family) and Pei Lan (佩兰, Eupatorium fortunei, Asteraceae family). These two herbs have been mixed up for centuries due to their shared "lan" name and similar wetland habitats, but they have very different therapeutic actions: Ze Lan invigorates Blood and reduces edema, while Pei Lan aromatically transforms dampness and resolves the Spleen. The key distinguishing feature is the stem: Ze Lan has a distinctly square stem (typical of the mint family) with short internodes and hairy leaves, while Pei Lan has a round stem with longitudinal ridges, longer internodes, smooth glossy leaves, and a notably aromatic fragrance. In some southern provinces (Hunan, Fujian, Guangdong, Guizhou), Pei Lan or related Eupatorium species are still sometimes sold as Ze Lan. Additionally, the base species Lycopus lucidus (without the var. hirtus designation, known as "di sun" or smooth bugleweed) is sometimes used as a substitute, though the Chinese Pharmacopoeia specifies the hairy variety (var. hirtus) as the official source.

Educational content — always consult a qualified healthcare provider or TCM practitioner before using any herb.

Toxicity Classification

Classical Chinese pharmacopoeia toxicity rating for Ze Lan

Non-toxic

Ze Lan is classified as non-toxic (无毒) in both classical sources (Wu Pu Ben Cao, Ming Yi Bie Lu) and the modern Chinese Pharmacopoeia. No toxic components have been identified. At standard dosages it is well tolerated. As a Blood-moving herb, the main safety concern is not toxicity but rather inappropriate use in patients who are Blood-deficient or pregnant, where its dispersing action could cause harm through excessive Blood movement rather than through any poisonous effect.

Contraindications

Situations where Ze Lan should not be used or requires extra caution

Avoid

Pregnancy. Ze Lan activates Blood circulation and has been shown to enhance uterine contractions, which could cause miscarriage or premature labor.

Avoid

Active heavy menstrual bleeding (hypermenorrhea). As a Blood-invigorating herb, Ze Lan may worsen excessive menstrual flow.

Caution

Blood deficiency without Blood stasis. Ze Lan moves and disperses Blood; using it in a pure deficiency pattern without any stagnation can further deplete Blood and weaken the patient.

Caution

Concurrent use with anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications (warfarin, heparin, aspirin, clopidogrel). Ze Lan has demonstrated anticoagulant and platelet-inhibiting properties that may compound the effect of these drugs.

Caution

Patients scheduled for surgery. Due to its Blood-invigorating and anticoagulant properties, Ze Lan should be discontinued at least 1-2 weeks before surgical procedures.

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

Contraindicated during pregnancy. Ze Lan is a Blood-invigorating herb with demonstrated ability to enhance uterine contractions and anticoagulant activity. These properties create direct risks of miscarriage, premature labor, or abnormal uterine bleeding. Classical sources consistently list pregnancy as a contraindication. This herb should be strictly avoided throughout all stages of pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

No specific classical or modern contraindication for breastfeeding has been established. Traditionally, Ze Lan was actually used for postpartum Blood stasis conditions, suggesting historical use during the postnatal period. However, as a Blood-invigorating herb, caution is warranted. Use only under practitioner guidance during breastfeeding, and monitor for any changes in milk production or infant response.

Children

No specific classical contraindication for children. Dosage should be reduced proportionally based on age and body weight (typically one-third to one-half of the adult dose for children). As a Blood-moving herb, it is generally not appropriate for young children unless specifically indicated for a Blood stasis condition diagnosed by a qualified practitioner. Not commonly used in pediatric practice.

Drug Interactions

If you are taking pharmaceutical medications, be aware of these potential interactions with Ze Lan

Anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs: Ze Lan has demonstrated anticoagulant activity, including inhibition of platelet aggregation and blood coagulation Factor Xa. Concurrent use with warfarin, heparin, clopidogrel, aspirin, or other anticoagulants/antiplatelets may potentiate bleeding risk. Monitor coagulation parameters closely if co-administration is unavoidable.

Diuretic medications: Ze Lan has traditional water-draining (diuretic) actions. Concurrent use with pharmaceutical diuretics (such as hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide, torsemide) may lead to excessive fluid loss and electrolyte imbalance. Monitor hydration and electrolyte levels.

NSAIDs: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs also affect platelet function. Combined use with Ze Lan may theoretically increase the risk of bleeding or bruising.

Dietary Advice

Foods and dietary considerations when taking Ze Lan

While taking Ze Lan, avoid excessively cold and raw foods, which can impede Blood circulation and counteract the herb's Blood-moving action. For gynecological conditions, warm, nourishing foods that support Blood circulation are appropriate. If Ze Lan is being used for edema, reducing salt intake supports the treatment goal. Avoid excessive consumption of greasy or heavy foods that may generate dampness and impede the herb's water-draining function.

Botanical Description

Physical characteristics and morphology of the Ze Lan source plant

Lycopus lucidus Turcz. var. hirtus Regel (hirsute shiny bugleweed) is a perennial herbaceous plant in the Lamiaceae (mint) family. It typically grows 50–100 cm tall with distinctive square stems that are yellowish-green with conspicuous purple coloring at the nodes and covered in white downy hairs. The leaves are opposite, lance-shaped to oblong (5–10 cm long), with serrated edges, dark green on the upper surface and grayish-green below, densely covered with glandular dots and short hairs on both sides. Small white or pale purple flowers grow in dense whorled clusters in the leaf axils.

The plant grows naturally in marshes, wetlands, stream banks, and low-lying damp areas at elevations up to 2,100 meters. It is found throughout much of China and East Asia, thriving in moist, waterlogged soils. The name Ze Lan (泽兰) literally means "marsh orchid," reflecting its wetland habitat. The medicinal part is the dried aerial portion (stems and leaves), harvested when the foliage is most lush in summer and autumn.

Sourcing & Harvesting

Where Ze Lan is sourced, when it's harvested or collected, and how to assess quality

Harvesting season

Summer to autumn, when stems and leaves are at their most lush and vigorous. The aerial parts are cut, cleaned of soil, and dried in the shade (preferred) or sun.

Primary growing regions

Ze Lan is widely distributed across China and produced in most provinces. Major producing regions include Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning (northeast), Hebei (north), Zhejiang, Hubei (central), Shaanxi, Sichuan, Guizhou, and Yunnan (southwest). It grows wild in marshes, stream banks, and low-lying damp areas throughout temperate China. There is no single strongly defined dao di (terroir) region, though northeastern and central Chinese material is commonly regarded as good quality. Small-scale cultivation also occurs.

Quality indicators

Good quality Ze Lan stems should be square-shaped, yellowish-green in color with clearly visible purple coloring at the nodes, and covered with fine white hairs. The stems should be crisp and break cleanly, with a yellowish-white cross-section and a hollow pith. Leaves should be intact when possible, dark green on top and grayish-green below, with visible glandular dots on both surfaces and fine hairs. The herb should have no noticeable odor and a bland, slightly bitter taste. Avoid material that is overly fragmented, moldy, discolored to brown or black, or lacking the characteristic purple nodes and hairy stems.

Classical Texts

Key passages from the classical Chinese medical texts that describe Ze Lan and its therapeutic uses

Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (《神农本草经》)

Chinese: 主乳妇内衄，中风余疾，大腹水肿，身面四肢浮肿，骨节中水，金疮，痈肿疮脓。

English: Treats postpartum internal bleeding, lingering effects of wind-stroke, abdominal distension with water retention, generalized and facial edema of the four limbs, water accumulation in the joints, traumatic wounds, and abscesses with pus.

Ben Cao Tong Xuan (《本草通玄》)

Chinese: 泽兰，芳香悦脾，可以快气，疏利悦肝，可以行血，流行营卫，畅达肤窍，遂为女科上剂。

English: Ze Lan, with its fragrant aroma, pleases the Spleen and quickens Qi; by coursing and freeing the Liver, it moves Blood. It circulates the nutritive and defensive aspects and opens the skin and orifices, making it a premier herb for gynecology.

Ben Jing Feng Yuan (《本经逢原》)

Chinese: 泽兰，专治产后血败、流于腰股，拘挛疼痛，破宿血，消癥瘕，除水肿，身面四肢浮肿。《本经》主金疮痈肿疮脓，皆取散血之功，为产科之要药。更以芎、归、童便佐之，功效胜于益母。

English: Ze Lan specifically treats postpartum defeated Blood that flows to the lower back and thighs, causing spasms and pain. It breaks old stagnant Blood, disperses abdominal masses, and eliminates edema of the body, face, and limbs. The Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing's indication for wounds, abscesses, and pus all derive from its Blood-dispersing action, making it an essential herb in obstetrics. When combined with Chuan Xiong, Dang Gui, and child's urine, its efficacy surpasses that of Yi Mu Cao.

Ben Cao Zheng Yi (《本草正义》)

Chinese: 泽兰，产下湿大泽之旁……然通利之品，能走未必能守，此当以意逆之，而可知其非虚证久服之药矣。

English: Ze Lan grows beside damp marshes... However, as a coursing and freeing substance, it can move but may not preserve. One should understand from this that it is not a herb to be taken long-term in deficiency patterns.

Historical Context

The history and evolution of Ze Lan's use in Chinese medicine over the centuries

Ze Lan is one of the oldest recorded Chinese herbs, first appearing in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (circa 1st-2nd century CE), where it was already recognized for treating postpartum conditions, edema, and traumatic injuries. Throughout Chinese medical history, Ze Lan and Pei Lan (佩兰, Eupatorium fortunei) were frequently confused because both names contain "lan" (兰, orchid) and both grow in damp places. Li Shizhen clarified the distinction in the Ben Cao Gang Mu (16th century), noting that Ze Lan (the "small ze lan") has square stems with short nodes and hairy leaves, while the "lan cao" (later called Pei Lan) has round stems with long nodes and smooth, glossy leaves. He explained that Ze Lan "walks in the Blood division" and is a key herb for gynecology, while Pei Lan "walks in the Qi division" and is used for aromatic transformation of dampness. The Lei Gong Pao Zhi Lun also distinguished between the two, calling the larger one "da ze lan" (Pei Lan) and the smaller one "xiao ze lan" (Ze Lan proper).

The name Ze Lan literally means "marsh orchid" (ze = marsh/wetland, lan = orchid/fragrant herb), aptly describing its damp habitat and the classical Chinese tradition of grouping fragrant herbs under the name "lan." In modern practice, the confusion between Ze Lan and Pei Lan has been resolved by the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, which designates Ze Lan as the Lamiaceae plant Lycopus lucidus var. hirtus, and Pei Lan as the Asteraceae plant Eupatorium fortunei. However, in some southern Chinese provinces (Hunan, Fujian, Guangdong, Guizhou), the two are still sometimes mixed up in practice.

Modern Research

6 published studies investigating the pharmacological effects or clinical outcomes of Ze Lan

1

Anticoagulant activity: Betulinic acid as a Factor Xa inhibitor from Lycopus lucidus (in vitro/in vivo study, 2018)

Tan Y, Wang Q, Gong J, Zhang X, Li Y, Zhang J, Li Y. Open Chemistry. 2018;16(1):170-175.

Researchers isolated betulinic acid from Ze Lan using bioassay-guided fractionation and found it inhibited blood coagulation Factor Xa with an IC50 of 25.05 micromol/L. In an animal model, it reduced thrombus weight at doses of 25-100 mg/kg, supporting Ze Lan's traditional use for activating Blood circulation.

Link
2

Positive inotropic (heart-strengthening) effect of Lycopus lucidus extract (preclinical study, 2013)

Shin HY, Kim SH, Kang SM, et al. Journal of Medicinal Food. 2013;16(7):633-639.

An ethanol extract of Ze Lan showed concentration-dependent positive inotropic effects (increased heart contraction force) in isolated beating rabbit atria, mediated through L-type calcium channel activation and sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release, rather than through the cAMP pathway. Key active compounds identified included rosmarinic acid, betulinic acid, and oleanolic acid.

PubMed
3

Anti-vascular inflammation effects in high-glucose conditions (preclinical study, 2008)

Lee YJ, Kang DG, Kim JS, Lee HS. Vascular Pharmacology. 2008;48(1):38-46.

An aqueous extract of Ze Lan leaves suppressed high glucose-induced vascular inflammation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. It inhibited the expression of cell adhesion molecules, reduced reactive oxygen species formation, and suppressed NF-kappaB activation, suggesting potential for diabetic vascular complications.

Link
4

Neuroprotective effects via NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition (preclinical study, 2021)

Kim H, Hong JY, Jeon WJ, Lee J, Baek SH, Ha IH. Journal of Inflammation Research. 2021;14:1759-1773.

Ze Lan extract protected cultured rat cortical neurons from hydrogen peroxide-induced injury by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation, reducing caspase-1 activation and IL-1beta/IL-18 secretion. It also enhanced axonal regrowth and synaptic connectivity after injury, suggesting potential for neurological conditions.

Link
5

ACAT inhibition by pentacyclic triterpenes from Lycopus lucidus (preclinical study, 2006)

Shin YK, et al. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 2006;29(2):382-384.

Three pentacyclic triterpenes (ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, and betulinic acid) isolated from Ze Lan leaves inhibited human ACAT-1 and ACAT-2 enzymes, which are involved in cholesterol metabolism. Betulinic acid was the most potent, with IC50 values of 16.2 and 28.8 micromol/L respectively, suggesting potential relevance to atherosclerosis.

PubMed
6

Inhibition of amyloid aggregation by phenylpropanoids from Lycopus lucidus (preclinical study, 2020)

Sun J, Murata T, Shigemori H. Journal of Natural Medicines. 2020;74(3):579-583.

Three phenylpropanoid compounds (schizotenuin A, lycopic acids A and B) isolated from Ze Lan showed strong inhibitory activity against the fibrillization of both amyloid-beta (relevant to Alzheimer's disease) and human islet amyloid polypeptide (relevant to type 2 diabetes). The catechol moieties were identified as key structural features.

Link

Research on individual TCM herbs is growing but still limited by Western clinical trial standards. These studies provide emerging evidence and should be considered alongside practitioner expertise.