HERBS: Self-Heal (Prunella vulgaris) (REMEDIES, LORE, MAGICK)

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Self-Heal or Heal-All....Does It Really?

 

Self-Heal (Prunella vulgaris)

 

Folklore/Common Names: Heal All, All Heal, Prunella, Brunella, Heart of

the Earth, Blue Curls, Hook Heal, Slough Heal, Brownwort, Carpenter's

Weed, Hercules Woundwort, Sicklewort

 

Parts Used: Entire Arial (above ground) Herb

 

Historical Reference & Folklore

 

For an herb with such comprehensive names as " Heal All " and " Heart of

the Earth " , one would think this herb would have a long history of use.

While its history does go back a respectable few hundred years, writers

as early (or late, depending on your perspective) as 1657 were claiming

new knowledge of it. At that time a doctrine of signatures proponent

William Cole wrote in Adam in Eden: " 'It is called by modern writers

(for neither the ancient Greek nor Latin writers knew it) Brunella, from

Brunellen, which is a name given unto it by the Germans, because it

cureth that inflammation of the mouth which they call 'die Breuen,' yet

the general name of it in Latin nowadays is Prunella, as being a word of

a more gentile pronunciation. " Cole was writing of a Portuesquese remedy

for inflammation and swelling of the mouth and throat later known as

trench mouth. (* The 'Doctrine of Signatures' was a practice in

herbalism whereby a natural remedy was suggested based on the similarity

of the plant to the properties of the body/ailment in question. Cole

believed the shape of the flower clusters on Self-Heal resembled the throat.)

 

Also in the mid-1600's, noted English herbalists Nicholas Culpepper and

John Gerard both extolled its virtues. In one example, Gerard recommends

Self-Heal for external use, declaring " There is not a better Wound

herbe...the very name importing it to be very admirable... " when the

herb was used in salves, and recommended combining it with wine to

" sound all wounds, both inward and outward " . Culpepper even recommended

combining it with Rose oil to combat headache and fatigue.

 

By 1931, M. Grieve in A Modern Herbal wrote, " The Self-Heal holds an

equal place with Bugle in the esteem of herbalists " and suggests an

infusion of the herb as " a general strengthener " .

 

Medicinal Use

 

Today we know that Self-Heal is an active astringent, styptic, and

tonic. Internally it is indeed a useful gargle for sore throat and sores

of the mouth. Its astringent properties make it a useful remedy for

diarrhea, and it has been shown to lower fevers, high blood pressure,

and edema. Externally, it can be used effectively to treat minor wounds,

bruises, minor scratches and insect bites. Modern homeopathic

practitioners will often recommend Self-Heal for colitis.

 

Asian and Chinese medicine regard Self-Heal's anti-infective and

anti-tumor properties as well, but more research needs to be done in

these areas to comment conclusively.

 

Gardening with Self-Heal

 

A member of the mint family, Self-Heal is a hardy perennial that forms a

dense patch of deep green ground cover, and features towers of purple

flowers on stems from 8 " -1 foot tall. The foliage is dark green, the

leaves oval and opposite. While there is little to no scent to this

herb, the bloom alone is worth adding it to your garden. Self-Heal will

take virtually any light conditions from full sun to part shade, and

average soil. It does prefer to be kept moist, but can take drying out

between waterings. Some guides will tell you Self-Heal can't be grown in

hot, dry summers, but I have it in part shade in just such a climate,

and it does beautifully.

 

As a member of the mints, it is very easy to grow and will spread

rapidly, so give it plenty of room. While it will tend to get a bit

invasive, it's such a lovely little plant you won't mind the chance to

divide it and use it throughout the garden. No other plant I'm familiar

with is quite like it esthetically, it makes a perfect addition to

cottage gardens and the deep purple sets off taller pink and white

flowering plants to their advantage. Even in the fall, the spent flower

head - which tend to resemble a corn silo or even an ear of corn - make

attractive dried accents in the fall and winter months.

 

Magical Use

 

Ellen Everett Hopman in " A Druid's Herbal " tells us that Self-Heal

should be gathered while the Dog Star is rising, at night, during the

dark of the moon. She recommends Self-Heal for working healing magic. I

echo her advise to be certain to leave a gift or offering to the Earth

when harvesting this herb.

 

As an herb of Venus, I would also recommend using Self-Heal in rituals

of self love, self worth and while using affirmations.

 

While this little herb may not *quite* live up to its name, it is a

useful herb to have around, and is well worth adding to the herb or

flower garden.

 

***

Author: Sherry Eldridge