Bugleweed

The bugleweed is very pretty, a blue flowering plant. It is relatively unknown and rarely cultivated in our gardens, although it is beautiful enough to be considered an ornamental plant.

As a medicinal plant, the bugleweed has a calming effect. It is effective against heartburn and insomnia. Applied externally, it can be used against wounds, to treat scars and ulcers.

Plant description

The bugleweed is native to Europe. It prefers to grow in semi-shady or shady places, so it is often found in forests and glades. The perennial plant grows up to 30 centimetres high.

In spring, the branched root rhizome initially sprouts shiny dark green leaves. The bugleweed probably got its name from the foothills of the rhizome. The leaves are slightly wavy at the edges. From May onwards the stem of the creeping bugle grows upwards and becomes an upright flower stem. The purple labiate flowers appear between May and June. Sometimes the flowers are light pink, which is a variety of the bugleweed.

Characteristics

Scientific name
Ajuga reptans.

Plant family
Lamiaceae.

Other names
Bugle, bugleherb, blue bugle, carpetweed, carpet bugleweed, common bugle, St. Lawrence plant.

Used plant parts
Leaves & Flowers.

Ingredients
Essential oils, ajugol, ajugosides, harpagide, dolphinidine, aucubine, tannic acid.

Harvest period
May to June.

Medicinal properties

Main use: Digestion.

Healing effects

• • • • Antibacterial
      • Reassuring
      • Anti-inflammatory
      • Diuretic
      • Painkillers
        
        

Areas of application

• • • • Oral mucosa inflammation
      • Tonsillitis
      • Acid stomach
      • Indigestion
      • Heartburn
      • Peptic ulcer
      • Insomnia
      • Rheumatism
      • Gout
      • Inflammation of joints
      • Edema
      • Broken bones
      • Wounds
      • Scars
      • Ulcers
      • Eczema
        
        

Forms of preparation

Bugleweed can be used either as tea or as a tincture. But surprisingly, the blue bugle is hardly ever used. It is like a white spot on the map of the variously used labiates.

Is it because the blue bugle smells less balsamic than other labiates? Or is it because the bugle is not a typical Mediterranean labiate and was therefore not spread by the monks in the Middle Ages? Or is it perhaps too rare?

But it can’t be because of its appearance, because the blue bugle is exceptionally beautiful and attracts attention because of its beauty. As interesting as the blue bugle looks, it also has a lot of healing powers, although it is almost completely unknown as a medicinal plant.

Tea

For one blue bugle tea, pour one to two teaspoons of blue bugle with a cup of boiling water and let it steep for ten minutes. Then strain and drink in small sips. Drink one to three cups of this tea daily.

As with all highly effective medicinal herbs, one should take a break after six weeks of continuous use and temporarily drink another tea with similar effects. Afterwards one can drink blue bugle tea again for six weeks. The break prevents possible undesirable long-term effects but the desired blue bugle effect is maintained.

Tincture

To make a blue bugle tincture yourself, pour the leaves of the blue bugle in a screw-cap jar with double grain or spirit of wine until all parts of the plant are covered and leave the mixture closed for 2 to 6 weeks. Then strain and pour into a dark bottle. Take 10-50 drops of this tincture one to three times a day. If the tincture is too concentrated, you can dilute it with water.

Blue bugle can be used internally, as tea or tincture against many digestive problems. It is especially popular against heartburn and stomach ulcers. In addition, blue bugle helps against inflammation in the mouth and throat. It can also be used against angina. Since the blue bugle has a calming effect, it can also be used against insomnia and nervousness.

With its anti-inflammatory, analgesic and diuretic properties, the blue bugle is also very suitable for the treatment of rheumatic inflammatory processes. Its effect is similar to that of the African Devil’s Claw, because both contain the active ingredient harpagide.

Externally, blue bugle tea or diluted tincture can be used in the form of compresses, baths or washes. With this kind of application one can soothe badly healing wounds, eczema and ulcers. Blue bugle can also be used externally for the after-treatment of scars.