All-Heal, Blue Curls, Brownwort, Brunelle, Brunelle Commune, Brunelle Vulgaire, Brunette, Carpenter's Herb, Carpenter's Weed, Charbonnière, Heal-All, Heart of the Earth, Herbe au Charpentier, Hercules Woundwort, Hock-Heal, Petite Consoude, Prunela, Prunella, Prunella vulgaris, Prunelle, Prunelle Vulgaire, Self Heal, Sicklewort, Siclewort, Slough-Heal, Woundwort, Xia Ku Cao.
Self-heal is an herb. The parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine.
Self-heal is used for inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), diarrhea, colic, and stomach upset and irritation (gastroenteritis). It is also used for mouth and throat ulcers, sore throat, and internal bleeding.
Some people use self-heal for HIV/AIDS, fever, headache, dizziness, liver disease, and spasm. It is also used to kill germs (as an antiseptic), loosen phlegm (as an expectorant), and tighten and dry skin (as an astringent).
Self-heal is applied directly to the skin for vaginal discharges and other disorders of women's reproductive systems, as well as for wounds and bruises.
Be careful not to confuse self-heal with another plant called sanicle. Sanicle is sometimes referred to as self-heal, but it's different.
How does work?
Self-heal contains vitamins C and K, and thiamine. It also contains chemicals called tannins that might help reduce skin swelling (inflammation) and have a drying (astringent) effect on the tissues.
QUESTION
Next to red peppers, you can get the most vitamin C from ________________. See AnswerInsufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...
- Mouth and throat ulcers.
- Stomach upset and irritation.
- Internal bleeding.
- Disorders of the female reproductive system (gynecological disorders).
- Wounds.
- HIV/AIDS.
- Crohn's disease.
- Ulcerative colitis.
- Other conditions.
Self-heal seems to be safe for most people.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of self-heal during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.The appropriate dose of self-heal depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for self-heal. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).
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Chevallier A. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. 2nd ed. New York, NY: DK Publ, Inc., 2000.
John JF, Kuk R, Rosenthal A et al. Synergistic antiretroviral activities of the herb, Prunella vulgaris, with AZT, ddI, and ddC. Abstr Gen Meet Am Soc Microbiol 1994;94:481.
Yamasaki K, Nakano M, Otake T, et al. Anti-HIV-1 activity of Labiatae plants, especially aromatic plants. Int Conf AIDS 1996;11:65.