Ajuga or bugle is a genus of about 40-50 species of annual and perennial herbaceous flowering plants in the mint family. Himalayan Bugle is characterized by large densely overlapping, prominently netveined bracts, which almost conceal the flowers. The bracts grow larger and turn red after flowering. Flowers white, whitish green, or whitish yellow with purple lines, narrowly funnelform, 1.8-2.5 cm, sparsely hairy; tube slightly swollen to saccate near base, woolly inside, curved; upper lip straight, 2-lobed, with subcircular lobes; lower lip projected, with middle lobe narrowly flabellate.
Medicinal uses: A decoction of the plant Artemisia sieversiana, combined with Himalayan Bugle and Ephedra gerardiana, is used as a wash to relieve painful joints. The seeds, leaves and flowers of Himalayan Bugle are used in treating fever, sinusitis, infections, menstrual disorders, swellings, skin diseases and paralysis.