Gathering and Utilizing Self Heal: Tips and Tricks
Self Heal, scientifically known as Prunella vulgaris, is a fascinating mn wild plant that offers both culinary and medicinal benefits. This plant, common in meadows and grasslands, can be easily identified by its distinctive features.
Identifying Self Heal
Self Heal stems are square and typically between 2 and 12 inches tall, sporting leaves that are ovate to lance-shaped, usually about one inch long and a little more than half an inch wide. The leaves may be green, gray-green, or reddish at the tip.
The flowers of Self Heal are tubular, with two lips. The top lip is usually purple, while the bottom lip is often white or purple, but they may also be bluish or pinkish. The bottom lip is deeply two-lobed and fringed, giving the flowers a unique appearance.
Hairy bracts can be found beneath the flowers of Self Heal. As the plant matures, it produces smooth, shiny brown nutlets that ripen between August and September.
Look-alikes and Distinguishing Features
While Self Heal is a valuable plant, it's essential to know its look-alikes to avoid confusion. Traditional medicinal plants often mistaken for Self Heal include Heal-all (Prunella laciniata) and Veronica species.
Henbit, another common plant, can be distinguished from Self Heal by its more roundish leaves with deeply scalloped margins, petioles on its lower leaves, and narrower flowers without fringed lower lips. Purple Dead Nettle leaves, on the other hand, transition from green to purple-red or pinkish near the top of the stem and have fuzzy leaves, heart or arrow-shaped leaves rather than ovate or lance-shaped leaves.
Ground Ivy leaves, attached to the stem by petioles from their center, are kidney or fan-shaped with round toothed edges and reproduce with stolons.
Culinary and Medicinal Uses
Self Heal is not just a pretty face. It can be used in various herbal preparations for internal use, such as herbal oxymel, herbal-infused vinegar, herbal-infused honey, and simple herbal teas. Specific recipes are available for making Self Heal Oxymel for Immune Support, Self Heal Serum, and Self Heal poultice.
In addition to its internal uses, Self Heal can be used in salves, ointments, massage oils, and poultices for external use. It's also edible, either raw or cooked, making it a delicious addition to many recipes.
Harvesting Other Wild Edibles and Medicinals
Self Heal isn't the only wild plant worth exploring. Other edible wild weeds include Chickweed, Yarrow, Wild Violets, and Fireweed (Rosebay Willowherb). For those seeking summer wild plants to harvest, consider Saskatoons (Serviceberries), Wild Black Cherries, and Chokecherries.
As always, when foraging for wild plants, it's crucial to ensure you've correctly identified them and that they're safe to consume. Happy foraging!
