Common self-heal

Description:

Perennial herbaceous plant.

Habitat:

Found throughout Europe, Asia and North America, as well as most temperate climates. Grows in moist areas, waste ground, grassland, woodland edges, and usually in basic and neutral soils.

Notes:

Self-heal is edible: the young leaves and stems can be eaten raw in salads; the whole plant can be boiled and eaten as a potherb; and the aerial parts of the plant can be powdered and brewed in a cold infusion to make a tasty beverage. Medicinally, the whole plant is poulticed onto wounds to promote healing. A mouthwash made from an infusion of the whole plant can be used to treat sore throats, thrush and gum infections. Internally, a tea can be used to treat diarrhea and internal bleeding and weaknesses of the liver and heart.