Common Heal-All
Prunella vulgaris
Heal-all is a sturdy, creeping perennial herb. Sprouting from the short stalks, the leaves grow in opposite pairs down to the square-like stem. The leaves, about an inch long and a ½ wide, are lance shaped with serrated edges and a reddish tip. The flower emerges above the leaves and stalks and is framed by two stalkless leaves. The flowers grow in a somewhat square cluster. Each is two lipped and tubular, with a top purple hood and a white bottom lip. The plant as a whole grows from 1-2 ft high.
Basic Information
Member of the mint family Lamiaceae
Perennial herb
Habitat
Native to western Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America
Was introduced to a number of countries in the 1800s
Has become invasive in the Pacific Islands, including Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii
Common to disturbed habitats and open areas, including roadsides and woodland edges
Ecological Role
Flowers attract bees, small butterflies, and moths
Some moth larvae eat the leaves
Reproduction
Blooms from June-August
Because of the wide range and varying climates, this flower blooms at different times
Alternative Names
Common self-heal, woundwort, heart-of-the-earth, carpenter's herb, brownwort and blue curls
Historical Uses
This plant has been used by many different groups across its range, producing a wide variety of uses
For medicinal purposes, the whole plant is gathered when the flowers bloom, and dried.
The leaves were eaten by a number of native tribes, including the Iroquis and Cherokee
Used as an anti-septic and anti-bacterial medicine by many native tribes, such as the Quinault and Quileute
Widely used to remedy throat illness
