The sun was hot on my back as I zig-zagged across the low grass. As always, I wore my herb-gathering uniform: a long-sleeved shirt, full length jeans, and a sun hat to keep off the rays, the flies, and scratchy branches.
Every hundred feet or so, I’d hit pay dirt: a small patch of Self-heal, also called Heal All. Only three to four inches tall, the clusters usually consisted of only five to 10 plants. Each little plant has one to four intensely purple-blue, barrel-shaped flower heads. Each flower head is actually a collection of minuscule orchid-shaped flowers.
After 20 minutes, I had a good handful of the colorful flower heads. These immediately went into the dehydrator.
Self-heal (aka Heal All, All heal, Woundwort) Prunella vulgaris is a tiny member of the mint family (Lamiaceae). Interestingly, the plants growing in the cut lawn reach only four inches, whereas the self-heal growing in the dry gravelly dirt behind my house are a good 10″ tall.
Some speculate the shorter variety is Eurasian.
Why gather an itty bitty herb on a very hot day? Good question. I hunted for Self-heal today because it’s ready now. Like all herbs, they grow and flower within set windows of time. I bother with self-heal because of its very long history as an herb used to heal wounds, treat tonsillitis and soothe soar throats. For centuries it has been used by some First Nations people to clear heat of fever, infections, and diarrhea. In Traditional Chinese Medicine it is used to clear liver heat. And, interestingly, it has been used by Native tribes as well as by the Chinese to sharpen vision. Research has shown that Prunella vulgaris can disrupt biofilms (clingy colonies of bacteria), and it has antiviral properties.
Right now, I have some dried Self-heal steeping in a deep bath of organic olive oil. In a few weeks, I’ll strain the herb from the oil, and use this infused oil for making healing salves and lush creams.
The Self-heal I gathered today will spend about eight hours in the dehydrator set to 100 degrees F. Once that herbs is thoroughly dry, I’ll use it to make a tincture that will have a shelf life of 5+ years.
Take an Herbal Safari and learn about the helpful plants growing in your own backyard. The Remedy-making classes are hands-on sessions focused on transforming helpful plants into teas, powders, tinctures, infused oils, and more.