Self-Heal – Nature’s Heal-All

Self-Heal ~ Prunella vulgaris, also lovingly known as Heal-All, is a humble herb in the mint family. She appears almost anywhere: roadsides, lawns, pastures, even subalpine meadows. She thrives in disturbed, rich, moist soils and especially places that are compacted by cattle. The earth surrounding the yurt has always been peppered with Self-Heal – Thanks Cattle.

Identifying Self-Heal

The flower of this plant is a tight whorl-shaped little wonder. It typically has purple, pink or tiny white flowers around it. Since Self-Heal is in the mint family, so she’s got a square stem, but a bit more flimsy than a typical mint plant. This plant, also unlike other mints, doesn’t have a strong aroma.

Self-Heal can sometimes grow low to the ground before reaching upward. You’ll see an example of that if you watch the video where we visit her, below. The height of the plant is typically between 3 and 12 inches. And, she loves full sun to part shade – not too picky.

Herbal Actions/Uses

This is a plant that lives up to its name. Self-Heal supports both internal and external healing.

• Vulnerary: assists in tissue repair, post-surgical recovery, and scar healing
• Astringent and emollient: soothes irritation and calms inflammation
• Antiviral: sometimes used for herpes outbreaks and topical viral infections
• Digestive and liver support: can be taken as tea for gut health
• Women’s health: tonifying and balancing
• Musculoskeletal support: used in bath teas for soreness and muscle fatigue

The aerial parts of Self-Heal are edible and taste a bit like romaine.

I picked a flower for my video – as promised she’s still around. I took her home from the yurt in a shot glass.

Meet Self-Heal, IRL

Why to Keep Self-Heal Close

Self-Heal has earned its place in my apothecary and my garden. It supports wound healing, skin health, digestion, and overall vitality. It is gentle and reliable, and it shows up in places that have been overlooked or trampled. Plants are so intuitive – healing the earth and our bodies.

Thanks for swinging by. You can find more like this in the Plant Profiles header on our blog.

A Quick Note on Safety

This post is for educational purposes only. Please consult your healthcare provider before using herbs medicinally.