Self-heal

Prunella vulgaris has several distinguishing characteristics, one of which is the beauty of its flower. The purple hood on top protects the 3-lobed lower lip. The 2 side lobes of the lower lip are smaller while the central lip is larger, lighter and delightfully fringed along the edges. From upper to lower, this flower presents several shades and tints from blue to purple. Stems are square-shaped and somewhat hairy. Leaves are oval to lance shaped, rounded at the base, opposite and mostly smooth on the margins. The calyx persists as the flowers fade, holding four 1-seeded nutlets.

Native to N. America, this member of the Mint family blooms June through October. Look for self-heal booming about the same time as milkweed flowers, along with tiny white northern bedstraw and the yellow spikes of roadside agrimony. These and a multitude of other mid-summer flowers appear and flourish in the July sunshine!

With a name like self-heal (also known as heal-all), one wonders what this plant can do for the herbal medicine cabinet! The answer is: this plant lives up to its namesake. Used for centuries by many tribal nations and herbal healers, it is a staple due to the wide range of healing it offers.