Self-heal or Prunella vulgaris is an herbaceous plant in the very populous mint family. It is also called heal-all for reasons that will become apparent. It is common in temperate climates worldwide. It can become invasive in lawns and is common anywhere the soil is disturbed. It is edible raw or cooked, but I don't care for it.
It has many phytochemicals including betulinic acid, camphor, cyanidin, manganese, rosmarinic acid, myristic acid, rutin, lupeol, linoleic acid, tannins, caffeic acid, and more.
Its properties are antioxidant, antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, and antimicrobial. There is some evidence that it is antiviral, and it is being investigated as a treatment for coronavirus and as an adjuvant to breast cancer treatment. It is used to treat diverse conditions such as atopic dermatitis, mastitis, hypertension, thyroid dysfunction, sore throat, diarrhea, fever, migraine, goiter, UTI, and more.
A further breakdown of its components shows flavonoids, polysaccharides, pentacyclic triterpenes, fatty acids, vitamins C, K, and thiamine, tannins, mono- and sesquiterpenoids, sterols, and essential oils.
It's plain to see why it is called "heal-all". I like to use it in a salve along with plantain. It's very soothing to irritated skin and helps to heal small wounds. I also use it as a tincture for its many other benefits. Rosmarinic acid is one of the most important components and that is found in the herb rosemary as well as sage, oregano, thyme, and lemon balm. So, use those herbs! They don't just taste great; they also are very good for you!
