Foraging & Using Self Heal
September 02, 2021 | Source: Unruly Gardening | by Jan Berry
Self Heal (Prunella vulgaris), also called “heal all”, is a common weed found growing on lawns, field edges, and creek banks all throughout North America and other parts of the world.
Besides being a great plant for bees and butterflies, all of the aerial parts are edible and used medicinally – this includes the flowers, stems, and leaves.
Self heal doesn’t really have a smell or scent, and the leaves taste pretty plain – they’re not unpleasant at all, but are reminiscent of nibbling on a tasty bit of lettuce.
How to ID Self Heal
When foraging, I recommend doing a preliminary check on all plants using a plant identification app. (We love the PictureThis identification app.) The app isn’t always 100% accurate, so it must be coupled with foraging books for your region, but it’s a great starting place!
Self Heal is a low growing perennial, with a sprawling or creeping habit. It blooms with clusters of purplish flowers in mid to late summer, depending on where you live.