What Is Prunella Vulgaris Used For?

Prunella vulgaris is a wildflower plant with many medicinal properties. Prunella vulgaris has anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties and it is used to treat herpes, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

Since ancient times, Prunella vulgaris has been revered for its healing properties. Read on to learn everything you need to know about this plant. Discover its uses, health benefits, and more.

Prunella vulgaris, commonly known as self-heal or selfheal, is a wildflower plant with many medicinal properties. It has a lifespan of more than 2 years, so it is classified as a perennial plant.

Prunella vulgaris is called selfheal due to its popular healing properties. The word Prunella is taken from the German word for peritonsillar abscesses (quinsy), which is one of the diseases that this plant has been used to treat. Vulgaris comes from a Latin adjective that means common. Thus, the name Prunella vulgaris indicates its status as a widely available remedy for infections. 

This plant is native to Europe, America, and Asia. In the past, native Americans used Prunella vulgaris for topical application as an eyewash or paste believed to be capable of healing wounds, boils, and sores. All parts of this plant are edible. Its leaves are most commonly used in salads, soups, and stews. 

The leaves are likely to taste bitter since they contain tannins. Wash them well before use to mitigate this bitter flavor. Freshly chopped, powdered, or dried leaves can also be used to make tea or a healthy drink when combined with cold water.

Prunella vulgaris plants are quite short, growing up to 1 foot in height. They have egg-shaped (ovate) leaves that are gray-green. Prunella vulgaris flowers are bright purple and attract many insects, birds, and bees. These flowers usually bloom between May and October, dispersing seeds from August to September.

Prunella vulgaris seeds are brown with a smooth, shiny surface. Prunella vulgaris requires moist soil and light shade to grow well. It’s usually found in grasslands, in fields, and even in lawns.

Selfheal contains many beneficial compounds, including tannins, flavonoids, and acids like oleanolic and rosmarinic acids, which give it medicinal properties.

Here are some of the potential health benefits of using Prunella vulgaris:

Anti-inflammatory effects

Inflammation is the body’s protective response to threats like injuries, infections, and other illnesses. However, producing an inflammatory response without any specific cause is dangerous and can lead to chronic inflammation, which has been associated with many harmful effects.

This sort of inflammation is treatable, though. In lab studies, Prunella vulgaris was able to decrease the production of inflammatory proteins (cytokines) in human heart muscle cells. This anti-inflammatory effect could protect against heart disease and stroke.

In an animal study, Prunella vulgaris decreased inflammation in mice intestines. This could protect against inflammatory diseases like colitis.

However, more research is needed to support these findings, particularly in the case of human illness.

Anti-cancer properties

Prunella vulgaris contains certain compounds like caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid, which have antioxidant and anticancer properties. For instance, antioxidants are useful for protecting against cell damage caused by free radicals in the body. This type of damage has been associated with the development of cancer and should be minimized for optimal health.

In lab studies, Prunella vulgaris compounds were similarly able to kill cancer cells and stop the growth of cancerous tumors. They were also able to prevent the spread of liver cancer by blocking certain enzymes that play a key role in cancer growth.

In a breast cancer study that involved 424 people, those who took Prunella vulgaris supplements while receiving cancer treatment ended up living longer. They also were more likely to not show signs of disease compared with those who only took medications.

Regulation of blood sugar and cholesterols levels

The compounds in Prunella vulgaris have protective effects against diseases like diabetes (characterized by high blood sugar levels) and atherosclerosis (characterized by high blood cholesterol levels).

In lab and animal studies, Prunella vulgaris inhibited certain digestive enzymes that break down dietary carbs to produce sugars. This effect can decrease blood sugar levels and help manage diabetes symptoms.

One complication of diabetes is the hardening of your arteries (atherosclerosis) due to damage caused by high blood sugar and bad (LDL) cholesterol levels. In a study of diabetic mice on a high-fat diet, though, Prunella vulgaris extract was able to decrease triglycerides, total cholesterol, and bad cholesterol levels. This could improve heart function and protect against heart disease, thereby decreasing the chances of a heart attack.

More studies are needed to replicate these findings in human populations, though.

Treatment of herpes

Herpes, which is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), causes the formation of contagious cold sores around your mouth or genital area. 

However, Prunella vulgaris may help to reduce HSV infection. In lab studies, a specific compound (carb) in Prunella vulgaris was able to stop the growth and spread of HSV.

Prunella vulgaris can help the body fight against this infection by stimulating the immune system (the body’s defense system), especially immune cells like macrophages.

In animal studies, topical creams containing Prunella vulgaris were even able to heal or significantly decrease the number of sores and skin lesions caused by HSV.

Additional research on humans is needed to support these findings, though.

Prunella vulgaris is commercially available in dried pill, liquid extract, and topical ointment forms. It is commonly sold as an ingredient in health supplements at stores specializing in natural remedies.

Due to limited research, though, information regarding the exact dosage regimen and side effects of Prunella vulgaris is not yet widely available. According to a breast cancer study, taking up to approximately 7 ounces or 207 milliliters of Prunella vulgaris extract was found to be safe and did not result in any notable side effects, but the appropriate dosage of Prunella vulgaris may depend on various factors like your age and pre-existing medical concerns. When taken orally, selfheal has been known to cause an upset stomach and diarrhea in some cases.

Scientists need to do additional research, particularly concerning certain populations like pregnant and breastfeeding women, to confirm the effects of Prunella vulgaris.

Prunella vulgaris (selfheal) has a long history of use as a medicinal herb. 

Early studies have reported many potentially promising benefits such as treating herpes and diabetes complications, protecting against cancer, and fighting inflammation and infections.

Although Prunella vulgaris is available for use as pills, extracts, ointments, and health supplements, the dosage isn’t well regulated yet. Consult your health care provider before taking Prunella vulgaris for any specific health condition to avoid any potential side effects or complications.