Self Heal (Prunella Vulgaris) also known as heal-all, is a common weed found growing in yards, wastelands and at the edges of forests and fields. I let self heal grow in my garden so I can utilize it’s healing abilities. This herb is a member of the mint family, it has the characteristic square stem.
This plant grows to 2 ft. tall then tends to lay along the ground and root. It self seeds so it can be invasive. If you have a place such as a steeply sloped area or a slightly shaded area this plant will fill it in for you and you can benefit from its healing abilities.
Health Benefits
Self heal has been used as a medicinal herb for centuries. This remarkable herb treats everything from minor cuts to internal bleeding, hence its other name heal-all. Traditionally self heal treats diarrhea, high blood pressure, inflammation, fevers and conditions as varied as thyroid problems, conjunctivitis, tuberculosis, arthritis and cancer. Self heal has significant mucilage, making it very soothing to mucous membranes, it is both cooling and diffusive.
This plant has anti-viral properties that inhibit the replication of viruses, disrupts biofilms, and stimulates the lymphatic system. It’s very useful in fighting any kind of pathogenic infection. This is a go to plant to get your lymph system moving when you’re sick so you recover quicker.
Use this plant as a tea, wash, salve or ointment both internally and externally. It draws out infections and stimulates wound healing, growing new skin cells and helping heal ulcers.
An ointment or salve made with self heal is used to treat burns, cuts, cold sores, wounds, hemorrhoids, insect bites and herpes. It’s an excellent plant for wound healing as it staunches blood flow and speeds tissue growth.
If you want to learn how to make a salve I have a tutorial, the 1st part teaches you how to infuse the herb in oil, and the 2nd part teaches you how to make a salve. Making Infused Oils post shows you how to make the oils and salves.
Self Heal Infusion
Ingredients
- 2 tsp of dried self heal
- 1 cup boiling water
Directions
- Add 2 tsp of dried crushed herb in a cup
- Pour boiling water into the cup and cover it
- Steep the infusion for 10 minutes
- Filter the infusion through cheesecloth or a coffee filter
Use the cooled infusion as an eye wash, to stop bleeding or as a sore throat gargle. If you are drinking this as a tea, let it steep for 45 minutes to 1 hour before drinking. If desired sweeten with honey. Drink 2-3 cups per day.
Self-heal is a mild plant with no known toxicity, making it safe for most people. It has some possibility of interfering with blood thinners.
This remarkable healing plant is a must have in your herbal medicine chest. A salve or ointment is used on skin issues such as burns and wounds because it prevents or reduces infection.
