Herb Walk - Self Heal
Do you know self heal? This simple, easy to find and identify tonic herb in the mint family has a long history of herbal use in many cultures, including Native, Western and traditional Chinese medicine. Its gentle healing properties and general safety are confirmed by recent research.
This YouTube clip by Herbal Jedi gives a great overview on how to identify, harvest and use this mint relative, Prunella vulgaris. Our Western Oregon native variety: lanceolata, is easily found in yards and vacant lots. In contrast to other mints, self heal's taste is neutral, so it's easy to include in salads, add to tea or cook with other greens.
Prunella is classed as a tonic herb or adaptogen, which helps the body manage stress, and return to homeostasis or 'reset' itself. Adaptogens can generally be used on a daily basis, and are easily incorporated into a healthy diet. They are often herbs which need to adapt, often growing in harsh conditions!
Rose Cottage is a new build, with a thin layer of gravel over packed soil in my side yard - and I was tickled to see these clumps of Prunella sprouting in the gravel last year! I brought some in pots from my last house, and there were plants in the back lot here, so these little clumps 'volunteerd!'
Self Heal's many benefits include:
- antioxidant and adaptogen
- soothes and aids digestion
- helps stabilizes blood sugar
- skin: cuts, wound healing (staunches blood), bruises, inflammation, sunburn
- heals mouth sores, sore throat
- calms allergic response - use with nettles in spring pesto or tea (with Reishi, ginseng, skullcap, etc)
- supports lymphatic health
- reduces arteriosclerosis
- supports liver and kidney function and aids detoxification
- enhances protein metabolism
- antiviral - biofilm disrupter like elderberry
- immune support in cancer treatment (in both natural and medical models)
Self heal's flowers are popular with a wide variety of insects, butterflies, skippers, bumble bees, native bees, and their low growth makes them well suited for inclusion in an eco lawn that is occasionally mowed.
Though my botanist hubby introduced me to self heal in the 70s, I got to know it better when I began making flower essences in the 90s, and saw how helpful it is in activating our healing energy! This clip highlights uses as an essence, or in a tincture or salve.
This is the first time I've heard of self heal. What an interesting herb! I enjoyed the video, and, one day I will go out in search of this herb. This is Alice Gerard from UBC commenting!
ReplyDeleteHi Alice,
DeleteIt's small but mighty!
I hadn't paid much attention to it until I read about the Flower Essence - it helps us tap our own resources for self healing, and helps 'mobilize our mind-body complex to address whatever imbalance is manifesting as ill health.'
I was sad to hear of 'Herbal Jedi's' passing last year - he brought much joy and knowledge to his teachings!
I'm not familiar at all with using herbs like this. Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteYes, we so often think of using just snippets of herbs - often dried and bottled, and think of many of the most useful as 'just weeds!'
DeleteIt's important to be able to identify any we harvest, working with teachers when we can. And - start with what grows around you!
Many herbalist recommend starting slow, saying, 'learn 100 uses of just 10 herbs! Then when you're ready, learn about one or two more...'
Never heard of Self Heal mint. It’s beautiful! Thanks for the information. I’m always looking for new herbs to add to my garden!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Kristine - Prunella grows easily from seed - you may find some wild in your neighborhood!
Delete