Heal All/Self Heal
 

Prunella vulgaris

Also called Woundwort, Heal-All, and Carpenter’s Herb.  Widely regarded as European wound herb, widely used to stop bleeding.  As the flower spikes resemble the throat, the herb was also used to treat inflammations of the mouth and throat.  In Chinese medicine, the flower spikes are regarded as being very specific for the liver and gallbladder, cooling an over-heated liver condition, call “gan hao, or “liver fire,” from which the phrase “gung-ho” is thought to be derived.  In western herbalism, leaves and young shoots applied to fresh wounds to stop bleeding and as first aid for clean cuts.

Family:  Mint Family
Life cycle: perennial; herbaceous (Zones 4-9)
Native:  Indigenous to Europe and Asia, and practically all temperate regions of the world.  Naturalized in parts of N. America as an Eurasian alien.
Height:  6 - 18”
Sun:   This is a common woodland and forest plant, also found in mountain meadows. Will do well in partial shade, will tolerate full sun.
Soil:  Prefers a humus soil.
Water:   Moderate water requirement.  Will survive, but not thrive, under dry land conditions in Kansas.
Flowers:  Vary in color from pinks and purples to while, bloom in the early and midsummer.  Attractive perennial flower that acts as a well-behaved ground cover in the garden; will bloom for nearly 2 months.
Propagation:  Stratify seed for at least 1 month before sowing, start indoors and watch for germination within 3 weeks.  Transplant outdoors in mid to late spring, plant 10 to 12’ apart in rows or beds.
Pests:  Few observed or reported.
Harvesting:   Harvest the aerial parts of self-heal while it is in flower.  This may have to be hand harvested with snips or scissors, as the plant is very low growing.  May also have to rinse dust from the leaves after harvesting, as the plants can get quite dirty from rain splash.
Parts used: The medicinal part is the whole flowering plant.
Used as:  Primarily used as a crude drug, extract, and as a gargle solution, and as a tea.  Can also be made into tincture, syrup, compress, poultice, elixir, ointment, slave, balm, etc.
Medicinal Benefits:   Un-proven uses include for inflammatory diseases and ulcers in the mouth and throat, gastrointestinal catarrh, and as a remedy for diarrhea, hemorrhage and gynecological disorders.  Recent research suggests the plant possesses antibiotic, hypotensive, and anti-mutagenic qualities. Contains the anti-tumor and diuretic compound ursolic acid.  Also rich in natural antioxidant compounds, containing more rosmarinic acid than Rosemary.
Market Potential:  Moderate.  Seek companies that make topical preparations and flower essences.  Only two sources listed prices of the nine websites checked; prices range from $20.35 - $56.80 per lb dw for herb.
 

KSU Field Trial Data - 2000-2002.  

Summary of field trial data: This plant had very good survival from transplants in replicated plots at three locations in Kansas (Olathe, Wichita, and Hays).  First year yield of the above ground portion was not bad (estimated at close to 1 ton), considering the hot, dry conditions of 2002, the first summer it was planted at these sites.  The 2003 data is still being evaluated, but it looks as though the plant had moderate/fair survival as a perennial species.  It also had a vigor rating of 3.6, or above average, which is a little bit surprising since this is traditionally more of a woodland herb, but was grown under field conditions with full sun.  When harvested in its prime, this plant appears to have few insect or disease pests, but when harvested in the fall, past its prime blooming time, the plants’ leaves appear to be prone to attack by various pests.  The potential for this crop in Kansas will depend on whether there is a market for the herb that justifies hand harvesting (and washing) this low growing, but leafy crop.