Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) Is a Pretty Edible With Healing Qualities

Summary: Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) is a New and Old World native wildflower that is a pretty edible and a popular healer.

Prunella vulgaris may occur as a decumbent plant that crawls along the ground and then lifts top part erectly upward; Prunella vulgaris, Søborg, Gladsaxe Kommune (municipality), eastern Denmark: Donald Holbern (dholbern), CC BY 2.0, via Flickr

Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) is a pretty edible with healing qualities that occurs as a native wildflower in both the New and Old Worlds.

Green leaved with pretty blue purple flowers, selfheal is a member of the mint family of Lamiaceae. Unlike most of the family’s minty members, selfheal does not exude a noticeable scent. Yet, selfheal still exhibits the family’s characteristic appeal as a potherb, a plant with edible parts. Selfheal’s leaves especially find culinary expression as fresh or cooked greens for salads, soups and stews.

The cuisine of the Cherokee of the southeastern United States features selfheal as a potherb. Leaves are cooked for consumption as greens. Also, selfheal’s leaves are cooked in combination with other greens, such as creaseys (thought to be Lepidium virginicum) and sochan, or green-headed coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata).

The pretty edible has a worldwide reputation for healing qualities. Other common names, such as heal-all and all heal, acknowledge the perennial’s therapeutic contributions.

Pretty, healing, edible selfheal has extensive therapeutic applications in the Native American ethnobotany of North America. Remedies extend not only to humans but also to livestock.

Members of the Blackfoot Confederacy of the Northwest know of veterinary uses for selfheal. A plant infusion treats back and saddle sores on horses and also serves as an equine eyewash.

The Algonquin of the Ottawa River Valley appreciate selfheal as a febrifuge. An infusion of leaves treats fevers.

The Bella Coola of the Northwest Coast use selfheal as a heart medicine. A weak decoction of blossoms, leaves and roots is a cardiac remedy.

Members of the Blackfoot Confederacy prepare an infusion of selfheal as a dermatological aid to treat burst boils and neck sores. The infusion also is used as an eyewash to moisten eyes during cold or windy weather.

The Cherokee apply selfheal as a dermatological aid. A cold infusion serves as a wash for burns. A root infusion is a wash for acne, bruises, cuts and diabetic sores.

The Delaware of the Eastern United States use selfheal as a febrifuge. Liquid made from plant tops is a cooling drink as well as a wash for treating fevers.

The Iroquois of northeastern North America emphasize selfheal’s wide-ranging healing qualities. An infusion of the plant is prepared to treat any and all ailments. An infusion of roots is a respiratory aid for shortness of breath. A compound infusion of the plant, including roots, is a gastrointestinal aid for treating upset stomachs. A plant decoction treats diarrhea and vomiting. A decoction also treats colds and coughs. A tuberculosis remedy is prepared from a compound decoction of roots. A compound decoction of roots and shoots purifies the blood. A hemorrhoid remedy is based upon a compound decoction of roots. A compound decoction is used in a steam bath as a remedy for stiff knees or sore legs.

The Menominee of the Upper Midwest appreciate selfheal for antidiarrheal and pediatric aids. An infusion of stalks calms babies and treats dysentery.

The Ojibwa of Lake Superior value selfheal’s roots as a hunting medicine. A tea made from the roots is taken before a hunting trip in order to sharpen powers of observation.

Native Americans in the Pacific Northwest, such as the Quileute, Quinault and Salish, appreciate selfheal as a dermatological aid. Leaves and plant juice are applied to boils, bruises, cuts and skin inflammations.

This widespread use of selfheal in Native American ethnobotany shares the view of selfheal that is found across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans from North America: selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) is a pretty edible with healing qualities.

Selfheal's ethnobotany includes healing remedies derived from infusions of the pretty edible's flowers and leaves: Handmade Apothecary @HandmadeApoth via Twitter July 7, 2016

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

Prunella vulgaris, Søborg, Gladsaxe Kommune (municipality), eastern Denmark: Donald Holbern (dholbern), CC BY 2.0, via Flickr @ https://www.flickr.com/photos/dhobern/14207480717/

Selfheal's ethnobotany includes healing remedies derived from infusions of the pretty edible's flowers and leaves: Handmade Apothecary @HandmadeApoth via Twitter July 7, 2016, @ https://twitter.com/HandmadeApoth/status/751303410914320384

For further information:

Arsène, Louis (Frère). “Contribution to the Flora of the Islands of St. Pierre et Miquelon.” Rhodora: Journal of the New England Botanical Club, vol. 29, no. 346 (October 1927): 204-221.
Available via Biodiversity Heritage Library @ http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/599891

Chayka, Katy. “Prunella vulgaris (Self-heal).” Minnesota Wildflowers > Plants by Name > Minnesota Plant List.
Available @ https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/self-heal

Conrad, Jim. “Heal-All/Self-Heal.” Jim Conrad’s Naturalist Newsletter. June 21, 2009.
Available @ http://www.backyardnature.net/n/09/090621.htm

Duke, James. Handbook of Edible Weeds. Herbal Reference Library Series. Boca Raton FL: CRC Press, 2001.

Foster, Steven, and Christopher Hobbs. Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs. Peterson Field Guides. New York NY: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2002.

Handmade Apothecary @HandmadeApoth. "Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris) infusing in oil to make healing balms for cuts & bruises #herbs #herbalmedicine." Twitter. July 7, 2016.
Available @ https://twitter.com/HandmadeApoth/status/751303410914320384

“Healall (Prunella vulgaris).” Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center/Ohio State University > Ohio Perennial and Biennial Weed Guide.
Available @ http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/weedguide/single_weed.php?id=52

Khela, Sonia. “Prunella vulgaris.” The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2012.
Available @ http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/203256/1

Linnaeus, Carl von. 1753. "1. Prunella vulgaris." Species Plantarum, tomus II: 600. Holmiae [Stockholm, Sweden]: Laurentii Salvii [Laurentius Salvius].
Available via Biodiversity Heritage Library @ https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/358621
Available via Missouri Botanical Garden Library's Botanicus Digital Library @ http://www.botanicus.org/page/358621

Marriner, Derdriu. "Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) Is a Long Blooming Wildflower." Earth and Space News. Saturday, July 9, 2016.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2016/07/selfheal-prunella-vulgaris-is-long.html

Ming, Yi. “The Prunella Vulgaris Herb and Traditional Chinese Medicine.” Vision Times. Aug. 24, 2015.
Available @ http://www.visiontimes.com/2015/08/24/the-prunella-vulgaris-herb-and-traditional-chinese-medicine.html

Nickel, Erle. “Prunella vulgaris a hardy native ground cover.” SFGate > Home and Garden > Pick of the Week. June 3, 2012.
Available @ http://www.sfgate.com/homeandgarden/pickoftheweek/article/Prunella-vulgaris-a-hardy-native-ground-cover-3601147.php

“Prunella vulgaris.” Native American Ethnobotany Database.
Available @ http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=prunella+vulgaris

“Prunella vulgaris L.” Digital Atlas of the Virginia Flora.
Available @ http://vaplantatlas.org/index.php?do=plant&plant=3278

“Prunella vulgaris L.” ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System) > Report.
Available @ http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=32381

“Prunella vulgaris – L.” Plants For a Future.
Available @ http://www.pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Prunella+vulgaris

"Prunella vulgaris (L.)." Tropicos® > Name Search.
Available @ http://www.tropicos.org/Name/17600275

“Prunella vulgaris Linnaeus.” eFloras > Flora of China > Flora Taxon.
Available @ http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200020053

“Prunella vulgaris (selfheal).” Kew Royal Botanic Gardens > Kew Science > Discover plants and fungi.
Available @ http://www.kew.org/science-conservation/plants-fungi/prunella-vulgaris-selfheal

Tenaglia, Dan. “Prunella vulgaris L.” Missouri Plants > Blue or Purple Flowers, Leaves Opposite or Whorled.
Available @ http://www.missouriplants.com/Blueopp/Prunella_vulgaris_page.html

Young-Mathews, Annie. “Lance Selfheal Prunella vulgaris L. ssp. lanceolata (W. Bartram) Hultén.” USDA NRCS PLANT Database > Plant Fact Sheet. April 2012.
Available @ https://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_prvul2.pdf

Zhou, Jiaju; Guiron Xie; Xinjian Yan. Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicines: Molecular Structures, Pharmacological Activities, Natural Sources and Applications. Vol. 6: Indexes. Dordecht, Germany; London, England; New York NY: Springer Verlag, 2014.