Common Self Heal

Common Self Heal

Prunella vulgaris

Other names: heal all, woundwort, heart of the earth, carpenter’s herb, brownwort, blue curls

Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

Range: Europe, Asia and North America

Native: Native

Native Habitat: Woodland edges, disturbed habitat, lawns

Bloom Time: May to September

Notes:

The plant is edible, and can be used in salads, or steeped as a beverage.
Prunella is derived from ‘Brunella’, which comes from “die Bräune”, the German name for quinsy (a type of throat inflammation), which it was historically used to cure. (1) It’s found in traditional medicine all over the world.

There are two subspecies in New England – Prunella vulgaris var. lanceolata is a native, while Prunella vulgaris var. elongatea is introduced. (2)

Locations in Photos

common self heal, gone by
Gone by Flowers

3/5/23 Updated to current WordPress format.