In the world of healing plants, we find many wildflowers that have been used for millennia to nourish skin. One of the most beloved, but humble wildflowers that’s accumulated many nicknames throughout the years is called Self Heal. It’s also known as Heal All and Carpenter’s Herb, but is scientifically known as Prunella vulgaris.

This wildflower is a mint-family favorite that’s easy to cultivate in our northeastern climate but can be found growing abundantly along partially shaded trails, often in moist forests. It’s common to find this plant growing in parts of Europe, Asia, and North America.

Where we harvest across New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, it’s common to find Self Heal in full bloom during the peak of summer.

Self heal is known for its powerful wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties. The flower can be applied as a poultice or infused into a salve to capture its skin-healing benefits. But why does Self Heal promote wound healing?

Self heal contains anti-inflammatory compounds, such as flavonoids and tannins, which help to reduce inflammation and soothe irritated skin. Inflammation is a
natural response to injuries or skin conditions, but excessive inflammation can delay the healing process. By calming inflammation, Self Heal assists skin in its natural healing process.

Self-Heal is rich in antioxidants, such as phenolic compounds, which neutralize free radicals that can damage skin cells and impair the healing process. By reducing
oxidative stress, the herb supports the skin's natural healing abilities.

Self-Heal has been traditionally used as a wound-healing plant due to its ability to promote tissue repair. The herb contains allantoin, a compound that supports cell regeneration. By stimulating the growth of new skin cells, Self-Heal helps wounds close faster and minimizes scarring.

Self-Heal has a mucilaginous quality that helps retain moisture, creating an optimal
environment for the skin to repair itself. Adequate moisture also prevents the wound from drying out and forming a scab, which can hinder the healing process.

How to Identify Self Heal growing in the wild

Self Heal is a low growing wildflower that grows low to the forest floor. It’s common to find on shaded trail sides and sunny open fields.

When in full bloom, it features a cone shaped flower with purple petals. This is the best time to harvest Self Heal.

Since pollinators also love Self Heal, it’s important to harvest Self Heal ethically by not harvesting more than what’s needed. This flower grows abundantly and isn’t endangered or threatened.

Since Self Heal is a mint family plant, its leaves are oppositely arranged like all plants in the mint family. Its leaves are smooth and slightly rounded. It also features a square stem like all plants in the mint family.

Unlike peppermint, spearmint, and basil, Self Heal has no distinguishable scent.