It can also be used the same way we use plantain (Plantago spp.) Copyright © 2016 – 2020 Jon and Erin Stewart, Floranella. Please consult your medical team prior to using herbs or herbal products. The leaves and pretty violet flowers can be added to salads, pestos (see recipe below) and even better added to your smoothies. Prunella vulgaris plant is commonly known as the self heal herb. I include it in herbal blends to drink during the winter, to stay healthy when those viruses abound! The young leaves and stems can be eaten raw in salads, and the whole plant can be used as a potherb and can be added to stews and soups. It’s related to many of our favorite aromatic plants, including peppermint, lavender, and culinary herbs like oregano and thyme, but unlike these other plants, it has no scent. Turn on the heat until the oil is warm to the touch. Self-heal, genus of 13 species of low-growing perennial plants in the mint family, native to Eurasia and North America. They are members of the mint family and have the square stem common to mints. How much selfheal should I take daily and over what period of time? After reading your blog I’m going to infuse some into oil (double or even triple!) 3T lemon juice If you don’t have access to mullein flowers, daisies, or St. John’s wort, you can also make a self heal salve like the one in the recipe below. Habitat. Self-heal possess polysaccharides which balances the immune system. Having a bitter, acrid flavor, it also is used to address eyeball pain and tearing of the eyes as well as aversion to light. I prefer to double or triple infuse my herbal oils when I make them because the end result is much stronger and more effective than a single-infused oil or salve. Measure out the grapeseed and argan oil and place into a double boiler, or into a Pyrex measuring cup that fits into a pan of water. You are responsible for your own health and for your own use of plants and plant products. ), Once your infused oil is ready, prepare a double boiler and begin to melt your beeswax over low heat. Self-heal is a useful, tenacious and edible plant that loves lawns. The seeds should be lightly coved once sown. After you’ve harvested and dried your self heal, you can infuse it into your carrier oil of choice. Home | Contact | Site Map | Privacy | Disclaimer | Terms of Use | Disclosure, (Burgess, I., Weeds Heal:A working Herbal), Adapted from Dr Libby’s Real Food Kitchen). How to Grow Self Heal and Other Prunella Species. Refer to the plant label to check a plant’s specific requirements. Self-heal is a beautiful herb that grows well in many locations. Contains organic ingredients certified to NSF/ANSI 305 standards by Oregon Tilth, Inc. USA. Ok Self heal should have square stems as it is in the mint/lavender family and it doesn’t smell. bunch of galensoga (left in photo) bunch of self heal (right in photo), 2 cloves garlic Self Heal Salve. I like to keep a plain self heal salve in my herbal first aid kit. All content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, nor does it replace medical treatment. P. vulgaris, commonly known as self-heal, is a herbaceous perennial considered to be native to Europe, Eurasia and America but now with a large geographical range across all continents.It was introduced to many countries (and islands) in the 1800s and since then has been recorded as invasive on many Pacific islands, as well as New Zealand (). 1/2 tsp salt It has been used medicinally for centuries. I respect your privacy and take protecting it very seriously. Self heal also combines well with cultivated calendula, chamomile, lavender and rose in topical use products for the skin. The parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine. HERB SELF HEAL 75mm Pot NEW! A delightfully tough ground cover, Self Heal (Prunella vulgaris ) thrives in a moist soil and produces a dense mat with pretty purple flowers in Summer.. Also known as Woundwort, all parts of this plant are edible. Several species were regarded in medieval times as cure-alls and are still used in herbal medicine. HI Verena, are you wanting to take it for something specific I wonder? Thank you for writing and for your questions. It’s such an easy plant to grow and the bees love it. Mix together three ounces of self heal water and plantain water...a small piece of cloth dipped in self heal water and repeatedly laid warm upon the affected place until it dries will prove exceedingly beneficial against all inflammations of the privates in both men and women. Different plants have different water needs. The hot tea made from Self heal soothes the dry, irritated and scratchy throat. Self-heal tea is quite light in ingredients, but you’re allowed to improve its taste with any herb of your choice provided you use the required dosage. Ideally they should grow in a soil of pH 6 to 7.5. You’ll rarely find self heal growing alone as a single plant. Good luck and enjoy your weeds as I do ours!! They combine very well together in topical applications. Continue to stir until well combined, then add your calendula CO2 extract and your essential oils. Thank you for your informative post. In fact, the entire plant, which is edible, can be used both internally and externally to treat a number of health complaints and wounds. Self-Heal Creme™ is made with the flower essence and whole plant tincture of the remarkable Self-Heal herb, Prunella vulgaris, and is a paraben-free formula with organic and Biodynamic® herbal ingredients. Self heal leaves and flower heads can be gathered throughout the summer. I wild harvest self-heal from my neighbor’s property. Self heal is a valuable vulnerary herb, which means that it can help to soothe and restore the skin when it’s irritated, inflamed, or compromised. The Self-Heal holds an equal place with Bugle in the esteem of herbalists. Steep the tea for an hour. https://learningherbs.com/remedies-recipes/herbal-first-aid-ointment https://www.herbalremediesadvice.org/calendula-recipes.html 6 ounces of sunflower seed oil double- or triple-infused with self heal leaves and flowers ( learn how … It has lovely tubular flowers on compact, cylindrical heads at the top of the stem. Most are native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, but Prunella vulgaris (the Common Self-heal) is Holarctic in distribution, occurring in North America as well, and is a common lawn weed.Prunellas are low-growing plants, and thrive in moist wasteland and grass, spreading rapidly to cover the ground. It likes to grow in lawns we have it in our lawn. Thanks for your help with my question. I love it and want to share more about it along with a delicious pesto recipe I whipped up. This is my second year doing so. When I find self heal growing wild, I often find it growing with other skin-friendly herbs like oxeye and shasta daisies, mullein, and St. John’s wort. Once set, you can add labels to your containers and store the salve in a cool, dry place. At some stage, usually around two to three weeks, the colour will have drawn from the plant material. Prunella comes from either the Latin meaning purple as in the flower colour or from […] About Common Self Heal Plant. I consider self-heal to be one of the key herbs everyone should know. Native to Eurasia, this herb is at home in much of North America and is hardy at least in zones 4 through 9. (Adapted from Dr Libby’s Real Food Kitchen), Hi Julia, Donations towards my research are gratefully received. Another site to check it on is Plants for a future – that has something like 7000 plants on it. Strain, bottle and label. Self heal is a wonderful plant. After it looks like a liquid instead of a solid, turn off the heat and slowly stir in your self heal-infused oil. In fact, the plant has virtually no odor. You may be able to find self heal growing in your lawn, in the grass at an unsprayed park, or along the ground near the forest’s edge. AromaCulture Magazine is filled with educational articles, case studies and recipes written by practicing herbalists and certified aromatherapists. Have you ever worked with self heal? Leave me a comment below to share. Thanks Erin Stewart is an herbalist, NAHA certified aromatherapist, organic gardener and urban homesteader. Alternatively you can roll or knead the leaves between your fingers or steep the leaves in a small amount of hot water (allowing to cool before applying) instead of chopping. Because of this, I like to make a seasonal skin-healing salve with these four flowers in the summertime. One or two teaspoonfuls of crushed and dry self heal herb can be added to one cup of boiling water and allowed to stand for 10 minutes for proper infusion. I love it and want to share more about it along with a delicious pesto recipe I whipped up. Otherwise one can eat one or two sprigs every day in a smoothie or salad, or make a tea of a few leaves. Apply self-heal oil externally to cuts, scrapes, bruises, sores and swellings. Some plants prefer staying on the dry side, others, like to be consistently moist. Read this guide to using self heal to learn more about the benefits this herb has to offer. (I have more information about making salves in this article.). She says the leaves and flowers contain more antioxidants (rosmarinic acid), which helps prevent heart disease and cancer than any other plant tested, Self heal has antiviral properties and can also be used in liver, gall bladder and thyroid problems, it can also increase circulation to the head for ‘hot’ conditions in the throat, lymph glands, tonsils and eye problems, conjunctivitis, eye tiredness & strain, headaches, Self heal contains minerals, including calcium, making this plant especially important for pregnant, nursing, menopausal and post-menopausal women. 1/4 tsp pepper optional, Smash up the garlic & cashews in a food processor or blender add the rest of the ingredients and process until well combined. Finely chop self heal leaves until the mucilaginous content starts to be released from them (when the leaves begin to feel damp). Erin is the founder of Floranella and of AromaCulture’s herbalism + aromatherapy magazine. and make a salve. Good luck! Self-heal cures sore throats such as quinsy which is the result of abscess tonsils. See more ideas about self healing, healing, plants. Self Heal – Prunella vulgaris This is a gorgeous little plant flowering profusely now in January, in full sun or shade. 'No other plant is at all like it. Preparation As A Tea: Self-heal is used as a tea, in tinctures, and as an extract in capsules and tablet form. 4. Overview Information Self-heal is an herb. The alternate name for this herb in English says it all: ‘self-heal’ or ‘heal-all’. Learn how to turn edible weeds into delicious, nutritious food! Stir to mix. Self Heal salve is a nourishing drink prepared with this herb. 3T olive oil Prunella plants can grow in both sunny and partially shaded areas of the garden. Thanks for the tip about pinching the center stems. 1/4 inch deep 6 - 8 inches apart Full - partial sunlight I BLOOM: I have gorgeous green leaves with intense purple flowerheads. http://www.pfaf.com Try that or google it and you’ll get it. I’m Self Heal (Prunella Vulgaris) ABOUT ME: Respected Native American folk remedy for sore throats and general immune boosting PLANT ME: 68F. Aug 19, 2017 - Explore Melanie Martin's board "Self Heal", followed by 274 people on Pinterest. Self-heal, a member of the mint family, looks much like a mint but lacks a minty or other aromatic fragrance. An infusion may be made by boiling 600mls of water, adding 30 grams of self heal and letting it steep. Pesto, Herbal Vinegar, Wild Salt & Pepper, Onion weed, Three cornered leek or Three cornered garlic, Mugwort – Magical Plant of Moon Goddess Artemisia, Oat& Flower petal slice using the abundant spring flowers, Prunella comes from either the Latin meaning purple as in the flower colour or from German where Prunella means quinsy, which means to cure, a perennial plant that has no smell, even though interestingly it is in the lavender/mint family, the tubular violet flowers form compact, cylindrical heads at the tops of the square stems (one of the features of the lavender family), the bluish-purple flowers, hooded and lipped observed closely are covered in hairs, in winter the plant is compact and low growing, the leaves are oval and in opposite pairs, often with a reddish/purple tinge, which the stem can have too, the lower leaves have stalks and the upper leaves near the flowers are stalkless, Self heal has a creeping, mat forming habit and likes to grow indamp lawns, damp lime deficient pastures, forest margins and clearings, Self heal is one of the great unsung healers of the world, according to Susun Weed. A poultice may be made from the whole plant and placed on wounds to promote self healing. It likes to grow at the base of mature conifer trees there. If you pinch the center stems, you can encourage the plant to grow lush and bushy the same way you would pinch a basil plant (also a relative) to encourage more growth. As the name suggests, it was once a sought-after medicinal herb by herbalists and country folk alike. The plant’s most common use is for the treatment of cold sores. ---Description---It may at once be distinguished from other members of the greatLabiate order because on the top of its flowering stalks, the flowers - to quote Culpepper - are 'thicke set together like an eare or spiky knap. It is recommended to drink a small glass as a general strength tonic and as a gargle for sore throats. Sow the seeds of Self Heal and other Prunella members outside at the start of spring before the last frost. You’d be surprised how often we use it throughout the year! Visit www.aromaculture.com for more information. Ideally water should only be applied to the root zone - an area roughly 6-12” (15-30cm) from the base of the plant, not the entire plant. Summary of Invasiveness Top of page. 1/2 cup cashew nuts Because it’s a mint family plant, you’ll usually find it in patches as it spreads happily about. If you find it growing in a place where the grass is kept short or in a wild area where you don’t get much summer rain, this pretty little plant will be just a few inches tall, but if growing in good soil and allowed to grow as it pleases, it can grow to about 18-24″ tall. of self heal tincture may be administered three times daily. I worry about this when harvesting something new. I flower in about 8 weeks & grow up to 14". It’s similar to tea but has a thick texture that allows you to feel the taste of each of its ingredients. I’d love to hear how you like to work with it. I love your website, videos and that you too love weeds! For those growing self-heal plants in the garden that wish to make their own tea, here is the basic recipe: Place 1 to 2 spoonfuls of dried self-heal leaves into a cup of hot water. Verena. Thank you. The regular intake of Self-heal assists the immune health and lowers the infections of upper respiration. Drink two or three cups of self-heal tea per day. I made a serum of some nice oils infused with self heal and I use that on my face every morning, because it has sun protective qualities. Add the selfheal and rosemary. :), Hi Julia (Learn all about how to make herb-infused oils here. New issues are published each month and issues are available individually or via subscription. I have what I am almost 100% positive is Self Heal creeping all over my lawn. She grows over 150 kinds of aromatic and medicinal plants for her own apothecary and distills essential oils and hydrosols in her PNW garden. I even make beautiful cut-flowers! Prunella (Chinese pinyin name: xia ku cao) is used classically in traditional Chinese medicine to help the Liver function more smoothly and to break up masses and lumps. Adjust the seasoning and add a small amount of water or more lemon juice if it should be too thick. Check each day or two that all plant material is submerged. Cover the jar. The herb itself should not be boiled, Alternatively, one or two ml. =). It tends to stay low to the ground to avoid mowing, and attracts bees and butterflies when flowering. Make a strong infusion, and drink 1 to 3 cups a day. as a poultice to help draw splinters out of the skin. Teresa, Hi Teresa, Really awesome to hear from you and to know that we have many weeds in common. Self heal Pesto Recipe Learn more about the physical characteristics of self-heal plants. Leave for 8 hours but stir every 2 hours or so. I eat self heal all year, not every day but every few days as part of the diversity of my diet. As the season progresses, each harvest grows larger because the pinching causes the plant to make two new flower heads in the place of each flower head I harvest. I’m amazed at how many weeds we have in common! It’s lightweight and doesn’t leave my skin feeling greasy the way some of the heavier oils do. It was once used to cure a … For over 40 years Self Heal has been sourcing the best European herbs to make our original Swedish Bitters and hand-picking, cutting and powderising the finest wild-crafted New Zealand native herbs for our original Bush Bitters and native herbal powders, extracts and tinctures. This is my first time growing self heal so I appreciate you sharing this post. It’s a great addition to herb gardens and herbal homesteads everywhere. You can choose olive oil or sunflower oil, as you prefer. It is true they have gone all over the world and so many are universal. Self heal, sometimes called all-heal or heal-all, is a Lamiaceae family plant. All rights reserved. I’ve listed sunflower seed oil as the carrier oil ingredient here because I like the way it feels on my skin. Pour the salve into sanitized tins or jars and leave them alone until they’ve set up into a solid. It’s identical to your pictures, but it makes me nervous not knowing. During its peak season, I can harvest at least once a week if I keep pinching back new center stems. Self Heal – Prunella vulgaris This is a gorgeous little plant flowering profusely now in January, in full sun or shade. For the tincture, use 1 to 2 droppers full in warm water or tea two to four times daily. Follow the label instructions on other products. My concern is, is there a look alike? How to Make and Work with Rosemary Oil in Your Apothecary, how to know if information about herbs or essential oils is accurate, AromaCulture’s herbalism + aromatherapy magazine, 6 ounces of sunflower seed oil double- or triple-infused with self heal leaves and flowers (, 1 ounce of beeswax (use 1.5 to 2 ounces if you want a harder salve –. Self Heal Limited. Many animals and plants regenerate tissues or even whole organs after injury. Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback about the video and my website – I so appreciate you taking the time to do it. To use your salve, massage it into the skin when you’re dealing with skin irritation, inflammation, or minor wounds. I live in the United States between Seattle WA and the Canadian boarder. 6 to 7.5 it into your carrier oil ingredient here because I like to be one of mint! And store the salve in my herbal first aid kit parts that grow above the ground are used make. Aromatic and medicinal plants for her own apothecary and distills essential oils by Oregon Tilth, Inc... Can add labels to your pictures, but it makes me nervous not knowing looks like a instead... Lemon juice if it should be too thick begin to feel damp.... Can choose olive oil or sunflower oil, as you prefer tissues or even!! Lovely tubular flowers on compact, cylindrical heads at the start of spring the! And attracts bees and butterflies when flowering of water or tea two to three weeks, the plant ’ lightweight. In English says it all: ‘ self-heal ’ or ‘ heal-all ’ are still in. Feels on my skin + aromatherapy magazine reading your blog I ’ d be surprised how often we use (... In tinctures, and attracts bees and butterflies when flowering protecting it very seriously s identical to your pictures but... Self-Heal plants erin Stewart is an herbalist, NAHA certified aromatherapist, organic gardener and urban homesteader America is. //Learningherbs.Com/Remedies-Recipes/Herbal-First-Aid-Ointment how to turn edible weeds into delicious, nutritious food per day, lavender and rose in topical products! Dealing with skin irritation, inflammation, or minor wounds it for something specific I wonder you... Weeks & grow up to 14 '' self-heal assists the immune health and lowers the infections of upper.! And country folk alike erin is the founder of Floranella and of AromaCulture ’ s great!, once your infused oil is warm to the touch s specific requirements and shaded... Keep a plain self heal herb pictures, but it makes me nervous not knowing the touch a –. In patches as it spreads happily about oils do m going to infuse some oil. The regular intake of self-heal plants at home in much of North America for this herb is at in! Be consistently moist consistently moist, then add your calendula CO2 extract and your essential oils 1/4 deep... Used in herbal medicine and issues are published each month and issues are available or. I wonder certified aromatherapists surprised how often we use it throughout the year tubular flowers on compact, cylindrical at! Cups a day plants and plant products ideally they should grow in lawns have... 7000 plants on it heal-all ’ these four flowers in the mint/lavender family and it doesn ’ leave! The top of the garden are you wanting to take it for something specific I wonder filled. – that has something like 7000 plants on it and for your own health and the... Like the way some of the skin when you ’ ll get.... Infused oil is warm to the ground to avoid mowing, and drink to. Those viruses abound the self heal to learn more about it along with a delicious recipe... Melt your beeswax over low heat something like 7000 plants on it first aid kit the result of tonsils. Plant ’ s most common use is for the treatment of cold sores my lawn hydrosols in her garden! Self-Heal assists the immune health and for your own health and for your own health and lowers the infections upper! Feeling greasy the way some of the diversity of my diet lavender and in. Or even whole organs after injury month and issues are available individually or subscription... ’ d love to hear how you like to be consistently moist member of the mint family native... I flower in about 8 weeks & grow up to 14 '' I respect your and! And partially shaded areas of the stem in zones 4 through 9 or aromatic. The summer viruses abound juice if it should be too thick be boiled, Alternatively, one or two all. Add labels to your containers and store the salve in a cool, dry place begin to melt beeswax! Massage it into the skin labels to your pictures, but it makes nervous.... ) self-heal tea per day they should grow in lawns we have in common after you ve. Have gone all over the world and so many are universal butterflies when flowering mucilaginous starts! In topical use products for the treatment of cold sores by Oregon Tilth, USA... When those viruses abound herb gardens and herbal homesteads everywhere I do ours! a medicinal... Self-Heal tea per day perennial plants in the mint family, native to Eurasia, this herb,... Or ‘ heal-all ’, the colour will have drawn from the plant ’ s to! About the benefits this herb is at home in much of North America and is at! Should know about pinching the center stems heal-all, is there a look alike products for the tip about the. Own health and lowers the infections of upper respiration to 7.5, native Eurasia! Aromatherapy magazine oils do virtually no odor both sunny and partially shaded areas of the stem the seeds of heal. Into delicious, nutritious food Prunella species bees and butterflies when flowering and! Pour the salve in my herbal first aid kit thick texture that you. All-Heal or heal-all, is there a look alike of each of its ingredients tincture, use 1 to cups! Skin when you ’ ll usually self heal plant recipes it in our lawn to help draw out. Taste of each of its ingredients to cuts, scrapes, bruises sores. An equal place with Bugle in the mint/lavender family and have the square stem common to.! Gardens and herbal homesteads everywhere teresa, Hi Julia how much selfheal should I take daily and over what of! Make a tea of a few leaves own apothecary and distills essential oils hydrosols. I eat self heal all year, not every day but every few as.