Prunella vulgaris, Self-Heal

Diabetes: Prickly pear cactus is beneficial to the pancreas, which is vital to insulin production. By restoring pancreal health, it helps balance blood sugar.

Heart Disease, Cholesterol and Circula-

tion: The anti-inflammatory benefits assist in the reduction of plaques in the arteries and veins, reducing the chances of heart disease. Pickly pear juice also reduces cholesterol and enhances blood circulation to all parts of the body. Muscle Soreness and Fatigue: The high vitamin and other nutrient levels combined with the health properties of prickly pear make it an excellent choice for the treatment of fatigue and muscle soreness caused by injury or over use. All Inflammatory Diseases: The juice is indicated for all inflammatory diseases including skin diseases like psoriasis, eczema, and hives. Harvesting: Harvesting prickly pear must be done carefully due to their small, hairy spines. Dress in thick long sleeves, long pants, boots, and gloves. I use tongs to pick the ripe fruit and leaves and place them carefully into a basket for processing. After collection, I hold the fruit or leaf pad over a flame and burn the spines off completely, charring the skin. When they cool, I peel off the skin. Some people use sandpaper to remove the spines, but I prefer charring.

Self-heal, Prunella vulgaris, is also known as wound root, woundwort, and heal-all. This low-growing plant attracts butterflies and bees. It belongs to the Lamiaceae (Mint) Family. I often find self-heal along roadsides and waste-places, but I prefer to harvest it from the edges of woodlands or grow my own in my garden.

Identification: Self-heal is a perennial plant that grows 4 to 20 inches (10 cm to 50 cm) tall and produces small flowers from April to June and fruit from June to August. Each flower has a light purple upper lip and a whitish, fringed lower lip and a light green or reddish calyx that is hairy on the edges. Its fruit has 4 tiny seeds. Opposite leaves are lance-shaped and 1 to 3 inches (2.5 cm to 7.5 cm) long, growing on a single or a cluster of upright stems. The leaves have white hairs on the underside along the center vein. The leaf margins may be smooth or edged with blunt teeth. The root is a fibrous rhizome with a root crown and spreads through creeping stems that take root. Edible Use: The young leaves and stems of self-heal are edible. They make a good addition to salads or can be boiled and eaten as a potherb. The aerial parts of the plant can be dried, powdered, and brewed into a cold tea. Medicinal Use: The plant is nutritional and medicinal. It contains a number of vitamins, minerals, antiinflammatories, and antioxidants. It is most famous for its use in treating cold sores, but it is also useful in treating a number of internal and external ailments. It is anti-inflammatory, antiviral, astringent, demulcent, hypotensive, immunomodulating, and vulnerary (healing). I usually use it as a complementary herb, using it in conjunction with other more powerful herbs. The entire plant is medicinal but the flowers, stems, and leaves are most commonly used. Cold Sores and Genital Herpes: Self-heal treats both herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1 causes cold sores) and herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2 causes genital herpes). This herb has anti-viral properties. It prevents the virus from infecting host cells as well as reducing outbreaks. Diabetes: Self-heal works to reduce insulin sensitivity in diabetes and pre-diabetes. It helps normalize blood sugar levels and prevents the development of

diabetes related health conditions such as atherosclerosis.

Cancer: Research indicates that self-heal induces cell death in cancer cells. Cancerous tumor growth slows or stops with the use of the herb. Try the cold-water Self-Heal Tea or powdered herb in capsules for cancer alongside traditional treatments. Consult your doctor about your treatment. Stimulates the Immune System: Regular use of self-heal herbs or Self-Heal Tea stimulates the immune system to help the body fight infections and even cancer. It also helps reduce swollen glands and helps clear toxins from the body. Heals Wounds and Skin Infections: Selfheal’s vulnerary, demulcent, and astringent properties stabilize wounded tissues and protects the skin. I use self-heal to treat cuts, burns, and skin wounds of all kinds. Internal wounds on the throat as well as mouth ulcers can be treated with self-heal. I treat surface skin problems, including infections and boils, with a poultice made from the herb and deeper inflammation with Self-Heal Tea.

Insect Bites and Stings, Rashes, and Poison

Ivy: Juice from the stem of the plant, applied directly to the irritated tissue, is effective in calming the inflammation, burn, and itch of bites, stings, and rashes of all kinds. A poultice can be made from the plant for larger areas. Viral Infections Including HIV: Self-heal’s anti-viral properties are able to inhibit the growth of viruses in the body and prevent outbreaks. It prevents replication of the virus and helps stop the disease. Respiratory Infections: Self-heal strengthens the immune system and helps the body fight off upper respiratory infections. It also treats sore throats and abscessed tonsils. Use Self-Heal Tea to treat respiratory infections and to soothe sore throats. Allergies and Chronic Inflammation: Selfheal is an immunomodulator that regulates the immune system response and reduces chronic inflammation and seasonal allergies. It does not cure allergies but helps modulate the severity of the problem. Kidney Problems and Hypertension: Selfheal strengthens the kidneys and promotes proper function. It also acts as a diuretic to help remove excess fluids from the body and lowers high blood pressure. Heart Problems: Self-heal reduces high blood pressure and acts as a tonic for cardiovascular tissues. Regular use of Self-Heal Tea is said to strengthen the heart. Liver Problems: Self-heal is useful in treating liver problems including hepatitis, jaundice, and a weak liver. It helps detoxify the liver and boosts its function. Use Self-Heal Tea regularly to treat liver problems.

Hemorrhage and Bleeding Caused by Extreme Men-

struation: Self-heal stops internal bleeding, including excessive bleeding from menstruation. Take the herb as a tea or in capsule form for internal bleeding, as well as treating the underlying causes.

Digestive Problems, Colic, Crohn’s Disease, Gastroenteritis, Ulcers, and Ulcera-

tive Colitis: Self-heal helps to soothe the inflamed gastro-intestinal tissues, stop bleeding, heal ulcers and wounded tissues and fight bacteria, fungus, and viral infections, which contribute to the underlying causes of problems in the gastro-intestinal tract. It is also effective against the bacteria that cause ulcers and helps them heal. Try the herb in capsule form or a soothing Self-Heal Tea for treating digestive problems. Self-heal also treats flatulence, diarrhea, gastritis, and intestinal parasites. Hemorrhoids: Self-heal is useful topically to reduce the inflammation and irritation of hemorrhoids. Use a strong tea as a wash on the infected area or to make a compress for the area. Harvesting: Harvest self-heal flowers when the blooms are open. Removing all flowers encourages the plant to flower again, but some flowers should be left at the end of the season to develop seeds. Dry the flowers and store in a cool, dry, and dark location until needed. Warning: Self-heal should be used in moderation and is effective at low doses. Long-term use at high doses affects the internal organs, including the liver and kidneys. Self-heal can cause allergic reactions such as a skin rash, nausea, itching, and vomiting. Side