Prunella vulgaris aka Self Heal

Taxonomy

Prunella vulgaris, also known as common self-heal, heal-all, woundwort, heart-of-the-earth, carpenter's herb, brownwort, and blue curls, is a herbaceous plant in the mint family. It is a perennial wildflower that can grow from 5 to 30cm high with reddish stems that are tough, square, and self-rooting. This plant is found in anthropogenic habitats, meadows, fields, and along the shores of rivers or lakes. Self-heal has been used in traditional medicine around the world due to its healing properties. The Algonquin of Quebec used it as a fever reducer, while the Nlaka'pamux drank a cold infusion of the whole plant as a common beverage. The young leaves and stems of self-heal are edible and can be eaten raw in salads. The plant can also be boiled and eaten as a potherb, and the aerial parts of the plant can be powdered and brewed in a cold infusion to make a beverage. Self-heal is also useful as a host plant for the Clouded Sulphur butterfly. However, if you need to get rid of self-heal, killing it with a selective weedkiller is an option if you only have a few plants. The herbicide kills the plant at the root, increasing the chances of eliminating it the first time.

Common names

Self Heal, Heal All, Carpenterweed

How to care for Self Heal

Difficulty

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Self Heal is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

Water

Self Heal should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Self Heal loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Self Heal prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Region of origin

Self Heal’s native range is Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to N. Africa and temperate Asia.


More info:
Wikipedia