Organic Heal-All Seeds
Heal-All (Prunella vulgaris)
Heal-All, also known as Self-Heal, is a low-growing perennial herb belonging to the mint family (Lamiaceae). It's a remarkably widespread and adaptable plant found in meadows, lawns, woodlands, and disturbed areas across temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It's valued for its ecological benefits and a long history of medicinal use.
Cover Plant Benefits:
Groundcover and Erosion Control: Heal-All forms a dense mat of foliage, making it an excellent living groundcover that helps prevent soil erosion, especially on slopes or in areas where a low-growing, spreading plant is desired. Its fibrous, rhizomatous roots contribute to soil stability.
Weed Suppression: Its vigorous spreading habit helps to outcompete and suppress unwanted weeds, reducing the need for manual weeding or herbicides.
Pollinator Attraction: Although its purple-blue flowers are small, they are borne in profusion on short spikes and are highly attractive to a wide variety of pollinators, including bees (especially bumblebees), butterflies, and other beneficial insects. This supports biodiversity in the garden.
Low Maintenance: Once established, Heal-All is incredibly resilient and requires very little maintenance. It tolerates a range of soil conditions and light levels, from full sun to partial shade.
Living Mulch: It acts as a living mulch, helping to keep the soil cool and moist, thereby reducing water evaporation and regulating soil temperature.
Biodiversity Support: Provides nectar and pollen for pollinators and habitat for beneficial insects.
Health Benefits
Heal-All has a rich history of use in traditional herbal medicine systems worldwide, including Traditional Chinese Medicine and European folk medicine. Modern research is exploring many of these traditional uses.
Anti-inflammatory: Contains compounds that may help reduce inflammation in the body. It has been traditionally used topically for inflammation and internally for inflammatory conditions.
Antioxidant: Rich in antioxidants like flavonoids and phenolic acids, which help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Antimicrobial and Antiviral: Exhibitions in vitro activity against various bacteria and viruses, leading to its traditional use for infections, including some studies suggesting potential for herpes.
Wound Healing: Historically applied as a poultice or wash for cuts, scrapes, burns, and other skin irritations to promote healing and reduce infection.Its common name "Heal-All" directly reflects this traditional use.
Immune Support: Some research suggests it may possess immune-modulating properties, helping to strengthen the body's natural defenses.
Astringent: Its astringent properties make it useful for toning tissues and reducing bleeding, both internally (e.g., for diarrhea) and externally (e.g., for minor bleeding or inflamed gums).
Sore Throats and Mouth Ulcers: Gargles or mouthwashes made from Heal-All have been traditionally used to soothe sore throats, canker sores, and inflamed gums.
Internal Use (e.g., Tea): Can be consumed as a tea for general wellness, to support digestion, or to address mild respiratory complaints like coughs and colds.
Planting Instructions:
When to Plant: Can be planted from spring to fall. Seeds are best sown in late fall or early spring for natural cold stratification.
Light Requirements: Tolerates a wide range, from full sun to partial shade. It tends to spread more rapidly in shadier, moister conditions. In very hot climates, some afternoon shade is advisable.
Soil: Adaptable to most soil types, but prefers moist, well-drained soil. Good drainage is crucial to prevent root rot. It can even tolerate some foot traffic. Fertilizing is generally not needed.
Sowing Seeds:
Surface Sow: Seeds are tiny; gently press them into the soil surface without covering them too deeply, as they need light to germinate.
Cold Stratification: If planting in spring, a period of cold stratification (mimicking winter conditions) for 3-4 weeks can improve germination rates.
Keep Moist: Keep the soil consistently moist until germination, which can take 14-21 days (sometimes longer, up to 2 months).
Planting Transplants/Divisions: Space plants 6-12 inches apart; they will quickly spread to fill in the area.
Maintenance:
Heal-All is generally low maintenance. It can be mowed or cut back if a tidier appearance is desired, or to encourage a flush of new growth and blooms. If you don't want the plant to self-seed readily, deadhead the flowers continuously. Remove any dead or damaged foliage on an ongoing basis. It is drought-tolerant once established but appreciates consistent moisture, especially during dry periods. Overwatering should be avoided. While generally pest and disease resistant, be on the lookout for powdery mildew in humid, overcrowded conditions.
Heal-All (Prunella vulgaris)
Heal-All, also known as Self-Heal, is a low-growing perennial herb belonging to the mint family (Lamiaceae). It's a remarkably widespread and adaptable plant found in meadows, lawns, woodlands, and disturbed areas across temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It's valued for its ecological benefits and a long history of medicinal use.
Cover Plant Benefits:
Groundcover and Erosion Control: Heal-All forms a dense mat of foliage, making it an excellent living groundcover that helps prevent soil erosion, especially on slopes or in areas where a low-growing, spreading plant is desired. Its fibrous, rhizomatous roots contribute to soil stability.
Weed Suppression: Its vigorous spreading habit helps to outcompete and suppress unwanted weeds, reducing the need for manual weeding or herbicides.
Pollinator Attraction: Although its purple-blue flowers are small, they are borne in profusion on short spikes and are highly attractive to a wide variety of pollinators, including bees (especially bumblebees), butterflies, and other beneficial insects. This supports biodiversity in the garden.
Low Maintenance: Once established, Heal-All is incredibly resilient and requires very little maintenance. It tolerates a range of soil conditions and light levels, from full sun to partial shade.
Living Mulch: It acts as a living mulch, helping to keep the soil cool and moist, thereby reducing water evaporation and regulating soil temperature.
Biodiversity Support: Provides nectar and pollen for pollinators and habitat for beneficial insects.
Health Benefits
Heal-All has a rich history of use in traditional herbal medicine systems worldwide, including Traditional Chinese Medicine and European folk medicine. Modern research is exploring many of these traditional uses.
Anti-inflammatory: Contains compounds that may help reduce inflammation in the body. It has been traditionally used topically for inflammation and internally for inflammatory conditions.
Antioxidant: Rich in antioxidants like flavonoids and phenolic acids, which help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Antimicrobial and Antiviral: Exhibitions in vitro activity against various bacteria and viruses, leading to its traditional use for infections, including some studies suggesting potential for herpes.
Wound Healing: Historically applied as a poultice or wash for cuts, scrapes, burns, and other skin irritations to promote healing and reduce infection.Its common name "Heal-All" directly reflects this traditional use.
Immune Support: Some research suggests it may possess immune-modulating properties, helping to strengthen the body's natural defenses.
Astringent: Its astringent properties make it useful for toning tissues and reducing bleeding, both internally (e.g., for diarrhea) and externally (e.g., for minor bleeding or inflamed gums).
Sore Throats and Mouth Ulcers: Gargles or mouthwashes made from Heal-All have been traditionally used to soothe sore throats, canker sores, and inflamed gums.
Internal Use (e.g., Tea): Can be consumed as a tea for general wellness, to support digestion, or to address mild respiratory complaints like coughs and colds.
Planting Instructions:
When to Plant: Can be planted from spring to fall. Seeds are best sown in late fall or early spring for natural cold stratification.
Light Requirements: Tolerates a wide range, from full sun to partial shade. It tends to spread more rapidly in shadier, moister conditions. In very hot climates, some afternoon shade is advisable.
Soil: Adaptable to most soil types, but prefers moist, well-drained soil. Good drainage is crucial to prevent root rot. It can even tolerate some foot traffic. Fertilizing is generally not needed.
Sowing Seeds:
Surface Sow: Seeds are tiny; gently press them into the soil surface without covering them too deeply, as they need light to germinate.
Cold Stratification: If planting in spring, a period of cold stratification (mimicking winter conditions) for 3-4 weeks can improve germination rates.
Keep Moist: Keep the soil consistently moist until germination, which can take 14-21 days (sometimes longer, up to 2 months).
Planting Transplants/Divisions: Space plants 6-12 inches apart; they will quickly spread to fill in the area.
Maintenance:
Heal-All is generally low maintenance. It can be mowed or cut back if a tidier appearance is desired, or to encourage a flush of new growth and blooms. If you don't want the plant to self-seed readily, deadhead the flowers continuously. Remove any dead or damaged foliage on an ongoing basis. It is drought-tolerant once established but appreciates consistent moisture, especially during dry periods. Overwatering should be avoided. While generally pest and disease resistant, be on the lookout for powdery mildew in humid, overcrowded conditions.