Lycopus europaeus.  Gypsywort, European Bugleweed, Water Horehound     Family: Labiatae  
NOTE: Very similar to L. virginicus
The leaves and stem produce a black permanent dye, which has been used to color wool and silk. Used by Gypsies, as the name implies, to stain their skin, and make their complexion darker.
PART USED: Herb
TASTE: Astringent, slightly bitter
ACTIONS
1. Cardiotonic diuretic, increasing force of myocardial contraction and reducing heart rate.[1]
Peripheral vasoconstrictor.[1]
2. Anti-hemorrhagic.[1]
3. Sedative.[1]
4. Antitussive.[1]
5. Thyroxin antagonist.[1]
6. Astringent.
INDICATIONS
1. Thryotoxicosis with dyspnea, tachycardia and tremor. Nervous tachycardia.[1] Grave's disease with cardiac involvement.[1]
2. Irritating cough with copious sputum.[1] Hemoptysis.[1]
COMBINATIONS
- Cardiac cases, with Broom tops and/or Convallaria.
- Pulmonary conditions, with Prunus, Bidens, and/or Pleurisy root.
PREPARATIONS 3X/day
Dried herb 1-3 g, or by infusion.[1]
Liquid Extract 1:1 in 25% alcohol  1-3 ml.[1]
Tincture 1:5 in 45% alcohol  2-6 ml.[1]
NOTE: Extracts of both L. virginicus and L. europaeus prevent bovine TSH binding to and stimulating adenyl cyclase in human thyroid membrane.

ORIGIN: Europe.
HABITAT: Common on the banks of streams.
DESCRIPTION: An erect plant, up to 100 cm high, with scarce, erect hairy ascending branches. Flowers; pale purple growing in the axils of the upper leaves.  
References
Inner Path 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
Constituents
Research

Effects on the thyroidal parametersand symptoms associated with thyroid function
A.M. Beera, K.R. Wiebelitza, H. Schmidt-Gayk
Abstract
The aim of the prospective two-armed open study was to examine the effect of Lycopi europaei herba on thyroid function and on associated symptoms during a 3-month follow-up phase. The study population consisted of patientswith a basal TSH<1.0 mU/l and hyperthyroidism-associated symptoms.For the first time, the T3/T4excretion in 24 h urine was measured as a primary objective parameter. As secondaryparameters, further hormones, the general condition and the symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism were registered.The urinary T4 excretion was significantly increased in Lycopus europaeus-treated patients (p=0.032). It is supposedthat renal mechanisms cause the increased T4excretion either by a modifcation within the glomeruli or by impaired reabsorption.Symptoms being specifc to the thyroid gland were diminished, as e.g. the increased heart rate in the morning. The Lycopus europaeus preparation showed a good tolerance.These findings confirm positive effects of Lycopus europaeus in slight forms of hyperthyroidism.
Phytomedicine 15 (2008) 16–22 researchgate.net

Extract of Lycopus europaeus L. reduces cardiac signs of hyperthyroidism in rats.
Vonhoff C, Baumgartner A, Hegger M, Korte B, Biller A, Winterhoff H.
Abstract
Extracts from the plant Lycopus europaeus L. are traditionally used in mild forms of hyperthyroidism. High doses caused a reduction of TSH or thyroid hormone levels in animal experiments, whereas in hyperthyroid patients treated with low doses of Lycopus an improvement of cardiac symptoms was reported without major changes in TSH or thyroid hormone concentrations. Lycopus extract was tested in thyroxine treated hyperthyroid rats (0.7 mg/kg BW i.p.). Co-treatment with an hydroethanolic extract from L. europaeus L. started one week later than T4-application and lasted 5.5 weeks. As reference substance atenolol was used. The raised body temperature was reduced very effectively even by the low dose of the plant extract, whereas the reduced gain of body weight and the increased food intake remained unaffected by any treatment. No significant changes of thyroid hormone concentrations or TSH levels were observed. Lycopus extract and atenolol reduced the increased heart rate and blood pressure. The cardiac hypertrophy was alleviated significantly by both treatment regimes. beta-Adrenoceptor density in heart tissue was significantly reduced by the Lycopus extract or the beta-blocking agent showing an almost equal efficacy. Although the mode of action remains unclear, these organo-specific anti-T4-effects seem to be of practical interest, for example in patients with latent hyperthyroidism.
PMID: 16150466 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2005.06.014 Life Sci. 2006 Feb 2;78(10):1063-70. Epub 2005 Sep 16. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Endocrine effects of Lycopus europaeus L. following oral application.
Winterhoff H, Gumbinger HG, Vahlensieck U, Kemper FH, Schmitz H, Behnke B.
Abstract
Lycopus extracts are used in folk medicine for the treatment of hyperthyroid symptoms. Diverse effects on the pituitary thyroidal system as well as on the pituitary gonadal system could be confirmed in experimental studies. But till now endocrine effects of Lycopus extracts in experimental animals were observed after parenteral application only. Therefore in this investigation an ethanolic extract of Lycopus europaeus was applied orally to rats, diverse endocrine parameters were measured between 3 and 24 h later and the effects compared to an i.p. treated group. The plant extract given p.o. caused a long lasting (for a period of more than 24 h) decrease of T3 levels, presumably as a consequence of a reduced peripheral T4 deiodination. A pronounced reduction of T4 and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations was observed 24 h after application of the test solution by gavage. The luteinizing hormone (LH) decrease as well as the TSH decrease, which was pronounced in spite of reduced T4 and T3 levels indicate a central point of attack of the plant extract. Differences in the biological activity in dependence on the route of application may be explained e.g. by differences in absorption of plant constituents.
PMID: 8135877 Arzneimittelforschung. 1994 Jan;44(1):41-5. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Identification of the NADPH Oxidase 4 Inhibiting Principle of Lycopus europaeus
Silvia Revoltella, Giorgia Baraldo, Birgit Waltenberger,* , Stefan Schwaiger,* OrcID, Philipp Kofler, Julia Moesslacher, Astrid Huber-Seidel, Konrad Pagitz, Roland Kohl, Pidder Jansen-Duerr and Hermann Stuppner
Abstract
NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4) has recently been implicated as driving force in cellular senescence. Thus, there is growing interest to develop Nox4 inhibitors, which might be valuable agents for cosmeceutical applications. Alpine plants represent a valuable source for the identification of novel bioactive natural products with anti-ageing effects, especially substances that protect plants against UV radiation, which is also known to contribute to the ageing of human skin. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify novel Nox4 inhibitors from alpine plants. Within an initial screening of extracts of alpine plants on their ability to inhibit Nox4 activity in HEK cells, the methanolic extract of the subaerial parts of Lycopus europaeus showed a strong inhibition of Nox4 (81% chemiluminescence quenching) and a simultaneously high cell viability (91% vitality). Rosmarinic acid was isolated and identified as the major compound in this bioactive extract. It showed a dose dependent inhibitory activity on Nox4 with an IC50 of 1 µM. Moreover, it also showed a significant inhibitory activity on Nox2 in the low micromolar range, whereas no inhibition of Nox5 was detected. Further investigations confirmed that the observed effects of rosmarinic acid on Nox2 and Nox4 are real inhibitory activities, and not due to ROS scavenging effects. Therefore, L. europaeus, which we demonstrated to be a good source of rosmarinic acid, has great potential for usage in cosmeceutical products with anti-ageing activity.
Molecules 2018, 23(3), 653; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23030653 Received: 31 January 2018 / Revised: 5 March 2018 / Accepted: 9 March 2018 / Published: 14 March 2018 mdpi.com