Common Selfheal Fruit-spike

The whole herb contains triterpenoid saponins whose aglycone is oleanolic acid; it also contains free oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, rutin, hyperin, cis-caffeic acid, trans-caffeic acid, vitamin B1, vitamin C, vitamin K, carotene, resins, bitter principles, tannins, volatile oil, alkaloids, and water-soluble salts. The flower spikes contain anthocyanins of delphinidin and cyanidin, d-camphor, d-fenchone, and ursolic acid.

1. Hypotensive effect: The aqueous infusion, ethanolic aqueous infusion, and 30% ethanol extract of Prunella vulgaris lower blood pressure in anesthetized animals. 2. Antibacterial effect: Preliminary in vitro experiments show that its decoction inhibits dysentery bacilli, typhoid bacilli, Vibrio cholerae, E. coli, staphylococci, and streptococci, indicating a broad antibacterial spectrum. 3. Other effects: Its decoction can induce tonic contraction of the isolated rabbit uterus.

Use with caution in patients with weakness of the spleen and stomach.