HERB – SELF HEAL (HEAL ALL)

HERB – SELF HEAL (HEAL ALL)

Prunella Vulgaris

Self-heal is a very attractive wildflower. It forms tight mats of dark green pointed leaves, almost prostrate in dry conditions but up to 25cm tall in amongst taller grasses in damper conditions. The stems are tough and woody, & the clusters of bright purple flowers are borne in a dense flat-topped spike. This herb has been used in herbal medicine for many ailments, including kidney, liver & gallbladder problems, as a muscle relaxant, to lower fever, stop bleeding, & aid healing for wounds. Loved by bees it is an important herb in Chinese medicine in which it is known as Xiakucao. Not frost tender. Can be eaten as an edible & medicinal herb, used in salads, soups, stews, or boiled as a pot herb. A cold water infusion of the freshly chopped or dried and powdered leaves is a very tasty & refreshing beverage, weak infusion of the plant is an excellent medicinal eyewash for sites & pinkeye. Prunella is taken internally as a medicinal tea in the treatment of fevers, diarrhoea, sore mouth & throat.