Prunella (plant)

Taxobox
name = "Prunella"

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image_width = 250px
image_caption = "Prunella vulgaris" (Common Self-heal)
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Lamiales
familia = Lamiaceae
genus = "Prunella"
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = Seven species, including:
"Prunella grandiflora" (Large Self-heal)
"Prunella laciniata" (Cut-leaf Self-heal)
"Prunella vulgaris" (Common Self-heal)

"Prunella" is a genus of seven species of herbaceous plants in the family Lamiaceae, also known as self-heals or "allheal" for their use in herbal medicine. Most are native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, but "Prunella vulgaris" (the Common Self-heal) is Holarctic in distribution, occurring in North America as well, and is a common lawn weed.

Self-heals are low-growing plants, and thrive in moist wasteland and grass, spreading rapidly to cover the ground. They are members of the mint family and have the square stem common to mints.

The common name "self-heal" derives from the use of some species to treat a range of minor disorders. It is reported to have an antiseptic and antibacterial effect, and to be particularly good in cases of food poisoning. In the Pacific Northwest, its juice was used by the Quinault and the Quileute on boils. They also used the whole plant to treat cuts and inflammations. Ointments can be made by fixing the plant with grease. Dried "Prunella" (Mandarin: 夏枯草 xia4 ku1 cao3; Cantonese: (Yale) hah5 fu1 chou2, (IPA) ha₂₁ fu₅₅ tsou₂₃) is used to make a herbal drink to help restore the body to a natural state after eating too many fried foods. It is also used in the treatment of high blood pressure.

While most of the traditional uses are of unknown (and clinically untested) efficacy, "Prunella vulgaris" has been shown to be an antioxidant, immune stimulant, viral replication inhibitor and an anti-inflammatory agent. [Immune modulatory effects of "Prunella vulgaris" L. Int J Mol Med. 2005 Mar;15(3):491-6.] [A polysaccharide fraction from medicinal herb "Prunella vulgaris" downregulates the expression of herpes simplex virus antigen in Vero cells. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Jul;93(1):63-8.] [Phenolics-rich extracts from "Silybum marianum" and "Prunella vulgaris" reduce a high-sucrose diet induced oxidative stress in hereditary hypertriglyceridemic rats. Pharmacol Res. 2004 Aug;50(2):123-30.] [Biological activities of "Prunella vulgaris" extract. Phytother Res. 2003 Nov;17(9):1082-7. ] [Anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory triterpenes from the herb of "Prunella vulgaris". Planta Med. 2000 May;66(4):358-60.] [Inhibition of immediate-type allergic reactions by "Prunella vulgaris" in a murine model.Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 2001 Aug;23(3):423-35.]

The mildly bitter leaves are also good as salad greens.

"Prunella" species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including "Coleophora albitarsella".

Self-heal can be grown from seed, or divide clumps in spring or autumn.

References