# Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris)

**Prunella*, *brunella*; heal-all*

**Known today as.** *Prunella vulgaris*.

Kind: Plant

## What was it used for?

For wounds, and gargled for the quinsy and sore mouth.

## What does modern science say?

Mildly astringent; no strong evidence.

## Pharmacognosy and toxicology

- **rosmarinic acid**: up to 6 per cent
- **prunellin**: a sulfated polysaccharide
- **ursolic and oleanolic acids**: 
- **tannins**: 

**Mechanism.** Astringent and anti-inflammatory by the tannins and rosmarinic acid, which is the gargle; the polysaccharide prunellin inhibits HIV and herpes viruses in cell culture, the modern footnote to the “heal-all” name. In the Chinese pharmacopoeia (xia ku cao) for the eyes and goitre.

**Dose.** Safe.

**Standing.** No European monograph; in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.

## What lore surrounds it?

Its Latin name is traced to the German *Bräune*, the quinsy it was used to cure.

## What did the older authorities say?

**Culpeper.** “Another herb of Venus, Self-heal, whereby when you are hurt you may heal yourself”: a special herb for inward and outward wounds, in syrups within and in unguents and plasters without; with oil of roses on the temples for the headache; and the proverb of the Germans and French that he who has it “needs neither physician nor surgeon.”

## Sources

- Gerard, J. (1597). *The Herball*.
- Culpeper, N. (1653). *The Complete Herbal*, “Self-Heal.” Project Gutenberg #49513.
- Bai, Y., et al. (2016). “Phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of the genus *Prunella*.” *Food Chemistry* 204.

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*Self-heal.* In *Materia Medica*, edited by B. C. P. Statema. Version 1, revised 2026-10-01. The Thinking Press. https://thethinkingpress.org/materia-medica/self-heal

Historical description, not medical advice.