Self Heal(Prunella vulgaris)
Other Names:
All-Heal, Common Selfheal, Heal-all, Heart-of-the-Earth
Range:
Family:
Lamiaceae – Mint family
Growth Type:
Herbaceous Perennial herb is found throughout North America.
Height:
Can grow up to 12 inches tall
Leaves:
The leaves are opposite, lance shaped, serrated and reddish at tip. They are approximately an inch long and ½ inch wide, and grow on short stalks in opposite pairs down the square stem.
Stem/Trunk:
The stems are reddish-brown, square, tough, creeping, self-rooting, and branching at leaf axis.
Root:
Short taproot
Flower Season:
Flowers bloom June thru August
Flower Appearance:
The flowers grow from a club-like, somewhat square, whirled cluster. Two stalkless Alternate leaves appear immediately below this club. Their appearance makes them look like a collar. Flowers are two lipped and tubular, the top lip is a purple hood, and the bottom lip is often white, it has three lobes with the middle lobe being larger and fringed upwardly.
Seed/Fruit:
Flower ripens to a dry head containing numerous small, brown, oblong, seeds
Miscellaneous characteristics:
N/A
Habitat:
Damp soils. Most yards. In full sun to partial shade.
Parts Used:
Food: The leaves and flowers are edible.
Medicine: The entire plant, gathered while in flower
Culinary Uses:
Self heal contains vitamins A, C, and K. Unlike many other mints, or weeds, self heal does not become bitter as it ages. This means that it is a great trail nibble. The leaves and flowers can be taken home and added to salads, or used as a pot herb.
The following text is meant for informational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or injury. Always consult with a physician or other qualified medical care provider concerning the diagnosis and treatment of any illness or injury.
Energetics
Taste: Bitter/Pungent
Thermal: Cooling
Humidity: Drying
Medicinal Uses:
The whole plant is used during flower for medicinal purposes. Self heal contains flavonoids and rutin. A medicinal tea can be brewed to treat fevers, diarrhea, sore throat, mouth pain, internal bleeding, and as a tonic for the liver and heart. Clinical studies have shown P. vulgaris to inhibit the growth of pseudomonas, Bacillus typhi, E. coli, and Mycobacterium tuberculi. (Rafia Rasool, et al., 2013)This supports its use both internally and externally as an antibiotic and for hard to heal wounds and diseases.
P. vulgaris is also showing promise in research for cancer, AIDS, diabetes, and many other maladies. I find this plant truly shines when we discuss its anti-inflammatory effects on the circulatory system. Clinical trials have shown P. vulgaris to be especially helpful at eliminating the inflammation that causes atherosclerosis (Park SH et al., 2013). It is also an amazing immune modulator. In 2005 a study was reported in the International Journal of Molecular Medicine which showed that self heal modulated the immune system by upregulating macrophages and monocytes (white blood cells) while at the same time attenuating inflammation associated with an over reactive immune system. (Fang, X et al., 2005)
References:
TY - JOUR
AU - Rasool, Rafia
AU - Ganai, Bashir
PY - 2013/06/01
SP - 441
EP - 448
T1 - Prunella vulgaris L. : A Literature Review on its Therapeutic Potentials
VL - 4
DO - 10.5567/pharmacologia.2013.441.448
JO - Pharmacologia
ER -
Park SH, Koo HJ, Sung YY, Kim HK. The protective effect of Prunella vulgaris ethanol extract against vascular inflammation in TNF-α-stimulated human aortic smooth muscle cells. BMB Rep. 2013 Jul;46(7):352-7. doi: 10.5483/bmbrep.2013.46.7.214. PMID: 23884101; PMCID: PMC4133916.
Spandidos Publications style Fang X, Chang RC, Yuen W and Zee SY: Immune modulatory effects of Prunella vulgaris L.. Int J Mol Med 15: 491-496, 2005
APA Fang, X., Chang, R.C., Yuen, W., & Zee, S.Y. (2005). Immune modulatory effects of Prunella vulgaris L.. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 15, 491-496. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.15.3.491
MLA Fang, X., Chang, R. C., Yuen, W., Zee, S. Y."Immune modulatory effects of Prunella vulgaris L.". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 15.3 (2005): 491-496.
Chicago Fang, X., Chang, R. C., Yuen, W., Zee, S. Y."Immune modulatory effects of Prunella vulgaris L.". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 15, no. 3 (2005): 491-496. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.15.3.491
Cautions According To WebMD
Contra-Indications
Text
Possible Side Effects:
None Known
Possible Interactions:
None Known
Medicinal Actions:
Alterative,
Antiarteriosclerotic,
Antibacterial,
Antihypertensive,
Anti-Inflammatory,
Antipyretic,
Antiseptic,
Antispasmodic,
Antiviral,
Astringent,
Carminative,
Diuretic,
Febrifuge,
Hepatic,
Immunomodulator,
Stomachic,
Styptic,
Tonic,
Vermifuge,
Vulnerary
Herbal Preparations For Prunella vulgaris
Standard Infusion
Part Used: Aerial parts of the flowering plant
Plant State: Fresh
Place 2 ounces of the fresh chopped plant material into a quart mason jar and fill the jar with almost boiling water. Cover the jar, place it in a sunny location, and let it sit for 8 to 10 hours or overnight. If refrigerated, the infusion will last a couple of days.
Dosage: 2-4 oz As Needed
Infused Oil
Part Used: Aerial parts of the flowering plant
Plant State: Fresh
Natural Solar infusion method:
In a quart mason jar, thoroughly mix 2 ounces of fresh chopped herb and 6 ounces by weight of the oil of your choice. Cover the jar and place in a sunny spot for a month or so. Strain your oil, return to the cleaned jar and store in the refrigerator until needed.
Crock Pot Method: (My favorite)
Place 2 ounces of fresh plant material and 6 ounces by weight of grape seed oil into a crock pot. Mix thoroughly, set the dial to its lowest setting, and allow to heat uncovered for 12 hours. After this time has elapsed, place the cover on the crock pot and turn the switch to off. Allow the pot to sit covered until the following morning. Then turn the crock pot once again to its lowest setting, remove the cover, and allow to heat uncovered for an additional 12 hours. Once this time has elapsed, allow the oil to cool enough that you can touch it without burning yourself, and then strain the plant material out. Now place the strained infused oil into a pint-sized mason jar and store it in the refrigerator until needed. (When straining my infused oils, I place a coffee filter into a fine metal sieve, and set the sieve over a glass bowl. I then pour the mixture into the strainer, and let it sit until all the oil has drained. Once it appears that it has completely drained, you will notice that there is much less than the 6 ounces of oil you started with. I usually take a large wooded spoon, or something else heavy, and pack the mixture into the strainer. I am always surprised how much oil is still released from the plant material. You can expect to yield just over 5 ounces by weight of your infused oil)
Dosage: You can apply infused oil topically as needed. You can also follow the directions below to turn your infused oil into an ointment or salve.
Ointment or Salve
Infused oils are turned into ointments and salves. I have found a 5:1 ration by weight of infused oil to bees wax yields the best consistency of ointment. In a medium saucepan, heat 5 ounces, by weight, of your previously prepared infused oil over low heat. When the oil is hot enough, stir in 1 ounce of grated bees wax. When the wax is completely dissolved, dip the back of a clean cold spoon into the mixture. Allow it to cool and solidify. If you find the ointment is too hard, add a little more oil, if you find it is too soft, add a little more bees wax, until you reach your desired consistency. To make an even more luxurious feeling ointment, before it cools, try adding 1 tablespoon of lanolin to your ointments. If you are anything like me, you will love the luxurious texture, and soothing effect it has on your skin.
Dosage: Apply topically as needed
Tincture
Part Used: Entire flowering plant
Plant State: Fresh
Alcohol Percentage: 50%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:2
Label a quart mason jar with the plant name, the part of the plant used, the percentage of alcohol used, and the date the tincture was started.
Fill the jar to the neck with chopped fresh plant material, then pour in 750 ml of 100 proof vodka, or 500 ml of 150 proof Everclear and 250 ml of water. Place a lid on the mason jar, shake it well, and place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out the spent plant material. Your tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 45-90 drops up to 4 times daily
Tincture
Tincture made from dried plant material is inferior to that made from the fresh flowering plant.
Part Used: Entire flowering plant
Plant State: Dried
Alcohol Percentage: 50%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:5
Label a quart mason jar with the plant name, the part of the plant used, the percentage of alcohol used, and the date the tincture was started.
Place 150 grams of dried plant material into a quart mason jar. Now pour in 750 ml of 100 proof vodka, or 500 ml of 150 proof Everclear and 250 ml of water. Place a lid on the mason jar, shake it well, and place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out the spent plant material. Your tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 60 - 100 drops up to 4 times daily
