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Self Heal Herb - Uses And Side Effects

Self Heal, a powerfully astringent herb, is known by many names including Heal-all, All Heal, Prunella, Woundwort, Hercules Woundwort, Sickle Herb, Carpenter's Herb, Dragonhead, and Blue Curls. Self-Heal is one of those common wildflowers that have found their way to North America, tending even to oust the native flowers. It is known there as 'Heart of the Earth' and 'Blue Curls.'

Self-Heal is a very common plant throughout Britain and all over Europe, abundant in pastures and on waste ground. In open and exposed situations, the plant is diminutive, while in more sheltered spots it is larger in all its parts. It branches freely, lateral stems being thrown out in pairs at almost every node, from which the leaves spring. The main stem is often deeply grooved and rough to the touch, the lower parts tinted with reddish purple.

Common doses of Self-Heal

Self-heal comes as liquid and fresh plant. Experts disagree on what dose to take but emphasize that the product's formulation may be an important aspect of treatment. Aqueous extracts seem to have the strongest antiviral activity.

Some experts recommend the following dose:

• To make a gargle, mix 1 gram of the fresh plant in boiling water and let cool before using.

Uses of Self-Heal herb

Self-Heal herb is believed to have antibacterial properties. Specifically, it may help to :-

• Boils
• Cancer
• Diarrhea
• Hemorrhage
• Hepatitis
• Intestinal gas
• Jaundice
• Sharp intestinal pain
• Sore throat
• Stomach upset
• Tuberculosis

Self Heal was also used as a mouthwash for sores and gum problems, and as a gargle for sore throat and thrush.

Side effects of Self-Heal

Call your health care practitioner if you experience unusual symptoms while using self-heal.

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Tell your health care practitioner about any prescription or nonprescription drugs you're taking.

Important points to remember

• Avoid this herb if you're pregnant or breast-feeding.
• Although studies suggest self-heal helps suppress HIV activity, experts advise against using this herb in place of conventional therapy for HIV infection.

What the research shows

In test tube studies, self-heal has shown some action against HIV and certain cancers. The herb seems promising, but more studies must be done on animals and people before we'll know if it's truly useful.

Other names for Self-Heal

Other names for self-heal include all heal, brunella, consuelda menor, hsia ku ts'ao, Prunella incisa, Prunella querette, sicklewort, and xia ku cao.