Allheal, Once Hailed as a Universal Panacea, versatile, safe and effective
BACKGROUND / DESCRIPTION
The term/name All-heal or Heal-all can be confusing. While it’s the actual name of this plant (according to the source I purchase most of my herbs from), many plants are referred to as either “all heal” or “heal all” or some variation of those two words. This can confuse a new herbalist, and you might not have the plant you believe yourself to have. That’s where the scientific names come in handy. It’s always good to note, not only the recognized common name of a plant, but also the scientific name - particularly if you’re going to eat it, or use it medicinally! You always want to be SURE you have the plant you think you do. Too many people have gotten deathly ill, and even died, by mistaken identity of a plant.
All-heal (Prunella vulgaris), known as common selfheal, heal-all, heart-of-the-earth, is a medicinal plant with many healing properties. Like so many wonderful herbs, All-heal falls into that ever so useful wound catagory. John Gerard´s Herbal (1633), says "the decoction of Prunell made with wine or water doth joine together and make whole and sound all wounds, both inward and outward." All-heal has been used as an alternative medicine for centuries on just about every continent in the world and for just about every ailment.
The herb is useful for treating liver disorders, and has been prescribed by herbalists in cases of jaundice, hepatitis and general weakness of the liver. All-heal is beneficial for limited internal bleeding and can also be valuable in cases of diarrhea, flatulence and gastritis, as well as the expulsion of intestinal parasites. All-heal is believed to have anti-bacteria and strong antiviral properties. In the treatment of Grave's disease, the herb has been effective in combination with Bugleweed.
All-heal is also high in antioxidants, and has been made into a tea with Oregano as an immune system booster. All-heal is one of the most versatile, safe and effective of nature's medicinal plants.
It’s a lovely plant too, growing just under a foot tall - with creeping, reddish stems branching at leaf axis. The flowers grow from a clublike, somewhat square, whirled cluster. Immediately below this club are a pair of leaves standing out on either side like a collar. Flowers are two lipped and tubular, the top lip is a purple hood, and the bottom lip is often white, it has three lobes with the middle lobe being larger and fringed upwardly. Very delicate and lovely to look upon. Flowers generally bloom from June to August.
All-heal is both edible and medicinal. It is often used in salads, soups, stews, and boiled as a pot herb. The leaves are the primary part eaten, but a few of the lovely flowers will brighten any salad.
COMMON USES
I have to admit that my favorite use for this plant is in salads. It offers such a unique flower for that added color and special touch - any salad with these tiny flowers sitting pretty on top will be that much more beautiful, and with food, it’s always good to remember that looks can be as important as taste and health. The leaves can be used in a salad as well, but it is the flowers that add the color and beauty. Beyond the beauty, the plant contains vitamins C and K, and thiamine - so there is also health value to adding it to salads. – Of particular importance for use in eating –> All-heal is somewhat bitter due to the presence of tannin in the leaves, though this can be removed by washing the leaves, then you’ll note them to be very tasty.
A cold water infusion (washing before chopping) of the freshly chopped or dried and powdered leaves is used as a refreshing beverage.
In the southern United States, all-heal is collected in the spring as a tonic plant and it is eaten as a spinach substitute, prepared in a big pot with a piece of hog meat for additional flavoring - VERY good side dish!
Traditionally this plant was used in herbal medicine to help relieve sore throats, mild irritations of the mucous membranes of the mouth, and diarrhea. Topically it was used as a vulnerary, to aid in the healing of minor wounds and cuts, and as an astringent to help relieve hemorrhoids.
Today All-heal is used for inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), diarrhea, colic, and stomach upset and irritation (gastroenteritis). It is also used for mouth and throat ulcers, sore throat, and internal bleeding. Some people use all-heal for HIV/AIDS, fever, headache, dizziness, liver disease, and spasm. It is also used to kill germs (as an antiseptic), loosen phlegm (as an expectorant), and tighten and dry skin (as an astringent).
It can be taken internally as a medicinal tea in the treatment of fevers, diarrhoea, sore mouth and throat, internal bleeding, and weaknesses of the liver and heart.
In vitro studies shows it to have an antibacterial action, inhibiting the growth of pseudomonas, Bacillus typhi, E. coli, Mycobacterium tuberculi, which supports its use as an alternative medicine internally and externally as an antibiotic.
For medicinal purposes, the areal part of the plant (above ground), is gathered when the flowers bloom. Then just hang in a dark area till dried.
The plant's active chemical constituents are betulinic acid, D-camphor, delphinidin, hyperoside, manganese, oleanolic acid, rosmarinic acid, rutin, ursolic acid, and tannins. The tannins help reduce skin inflammation and have an astringent effect on tissue.
An olive-green dye is obtained from the flowers and stems.
CULTIVATION / GROWING
A hardy perennial, it prefers open, sunny locations, and damp, loamy soil. Seeds are sown in very early spring in a flat outdoor area. Allheal will grow up to a foot tall, bearing small blue and purple flowers on compact spikes all summer. Much loved by bees, it is an excellent choice for meadow gardens.
All-heal is a mint relative, and as with all the other mints, if you plant it once, you never have to plant it again. It is incredibly vigorous and spreads by underground stems that shoot out in every direction once the first root is stuck in the ground.
MAGICAL / MYTHICAL USES
Allheal was once proclaimed to be a holy herb and was thought to be sent by God to cure all ailments of man or beast. It was said to drive away the devil, which lead to the belief that Allheal was grown in the Witches garden as a disguise. The root was also used to make a tea to drink in ceremonies before going hunting by one Native American tribe to sharpen the powers of observation.
WARNINGS & endings....
No warnings or problems known by this author related to the oral or topical use of this plant for medicinal purposes, but if your condition doesn’t improve with herbal use, it would be suggested you visit your doctor. Not enough is known about the use of allheal during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Probably best to stay on the safe side and avoid use during pregnancy and breast-feeding.
Be careful not to confuse Allheal with another plant called sanicle. Sanicle is sometimes referred to as self-heal, but it’s different. If purchasing by seed - be sure to look for the scientific name ->Prunella vulgaris.
- Richters Herb - My favorite source for getting herb plants, seeds, or dried product if
it's something I can't grow. The quality of their plants and how they mail them is the best I've ever received. Wonderful source for rare seeds. Being that
I'll be working on so many pages to encourage you to grow and use your own herbs, I thought it very important to include a link to how you can find these
herb - plants, seeds, and dried product.
Herbal link page
Ah yes... and the legal disclaimer - don’t you hate these things? —> The information contained in this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. <– ok, that’s done, hope you find this article useful!!
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