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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Lycopus virginicus is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Euhemus officinalis. Euhemus sylvaticus. Lycopus macrophyllus

Habitats

Bog Garden; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Root - cooked[46, 61].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antianxiety Antidandruff Astringent Cardiac Hypoglycaemic Narcotic Sedative

Bugleweed has sedative properties and is used in modern herbalism principally to treat an overactive thyroid gland and the racing heartbeat that often accompanies this condition[254]. The whole plant is used as an astringent, hypoglycaemic, mild narcotic and mild sedative[4, 102, 222, 238]. It also slows and strengthens heart contractions[238]. The plant has been shown to be of value in the treatment of hyperthyroidism[222, 238], it is also used in the treatment of coughs, bleeding from the lungs and consumption, excessive menstruation etc[4, 238]. It should not be prescribed for pregnant women or patients with hypothyroidism[238]. The plant is harvested as flowering begins and can be use fresh or dried, in an infusion or as a tincture[4, 238]. The root has been chewed, a portion swallowed and the rest applied externally in the treatment of snakebites[257]. Current uses are predominantly for increased activity of the thyroid gland and for premenstrual syndrome symptoms such as breast pain [301]. The German Commission E Monographs, a therapeutic guide to herbal medicine, approve Lycopus for nervousness and premenstrual syndrome (see [302] for critics of commission E).

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Tolerates most soil types so long as they are wet. Succeeds in full sun or in partial shade[238], in damp meadows or in wet places by ponds or streams[200].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame[238]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first year. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. Division in spring or autumn[238]. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Sweet Bugle, Water Bugle, Virginia Water Horehound, Gypsywort

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Lycopus americanus	Water Horehound, American water horehound	Perennial	0.5	4-8	LMH	SN	MWe	1	3	1
Lycopus amplectens	Clasping water horehound	Perennial	1.2	0-0	LMH	SN	MWe	1	0
Lycopus asper	Rough Bugleweed	Perennial	0.6	-	LMH	SN	MWe	1	1
Lycopus europaeus	Gypsywort	Perennial	1.0	4-8	LMH	SN	MWeWa	1	3	2
Lycopus lucidus	Bugleweed, Rough bugleweed	Perennial	1.0	0-0	LMH	SN	MWe	1	2
Lycopus maackianus		Perennial	0.6	-	LMH	SN	MWe	1	0
Lycopus uniflorus	Bugleweed, Northern bugleweed	Perennial	0.3	4-8	LMH	SN	MWe	3	1

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Lycopus virginicus - L.