Wound Root

Species Name: Prunella vulgaris

Also Known As: Prunella, All Heal, Heal All, Hook Heal, Self Heal, Slough Heal, Brunella, Heart of the Earth, Blue Curls, Carpenter weed, Carpenter’s Herb, Common Selfheal, Consolida Minor, Lance Selfheal, Sicklewort, Woundwort, Xia Ku Cao, Wound Root, Dragonhead, and Hercules' Woundwort

Wound root is a perennial herb that grows throughout Europe, Asia, and the United States in temperate climates. This creeping wildflower is prolific, often considered a weed. It grows to a height of 1-2 feet tall, with edible leaves and small lavender colored flowers.

While this plant is a member of the mint family, it does not have a mint flavor or fragrance. The leaves, stems and flowers can be used in salads, boiled as a pot herb, or added to stews and soups.

What is wound root? The whole wound root plant can be used medicinally. The leaf, stem, flowers and roots can be utilized either fresh or dried. It is found in teas, tinctures, bulk herb, and in salves and lotions.

Home Remedies Using Wound Root:

Benefits of Wound Root:

Noted historical use of wound root begins during the Han Dynasty in China about 204 B.C. where it was used to treat liver ailments, conjunctivitis, and high blood pressure.

Wound root was also designated as a Holy herb, believed to be provided by God to cure all ailments of beast or man, and useful in driving away the devil.

A Native American tribe would drink a tea made from wound root before hunting in order to sharpen their powers of observation.

Wound root is an alterative, antibacterial, antipyretic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, diuretic, febrifuge, hypotensive, stomachic, styptic, tonic, vermifuge, and vulnerary herb.

Today wound root is specifically utilized as a powerful astringent herb, used to treat both internal and external wounds. It is recommended in strengthening the immune system and is believed to be a panacea, something of a cure-all with an extensive list of uses.

Wound root is used to treat the following:

• Sore Mouth and Throat
• Diarrhea
• Liver and Heart Weakness
• Grave’s disease
• Pink Eye
• Fevers
• Internal Bleeding
• Swollen glands
• Mumps
• Excessive Menstrual Bleeding
• Reduce Swelling in: Goiters, Breast lumps, Cancer, Tumors

The antibacterial action of wound root is believed to inhibit the growth of pseudomonas, Bacillus typhi, E. coli, and Mycobacterium tuberculi.

The antiviral properties in wound root have shown promise in cancer, AIDS, and diabetes research. It is used to treat HIV, leukemia, and herpes infections.

Externally wound root is used in the treatment of insect bites, burns, ulcers, sores, open wounds, scratches, and bruising. It is believed to reduce scarring and can be used as an eye wash for any eye infections.

There have been several research studies done on wound root including, "An experimental herpes treatment derived from an herb known as Prunella vulgaris may one day help prevent and treat both types of the herpes virus that cause cold sores and genital herpes. Researchers say preliminary tests show mice and guinea pigs treated with the herb developed significantly fewer of the cold sores and genital sores or lesions associated with herpes than untreated animals."

Side Effects of Wound Root:

It is important to note that wound root may interfere with prescription blood thinners like plavix, coumadin, etc.

If you have diarrhea, nausea, stomachache or vomiting, you should consult a physician before using wound root.