Self-heal

Other Names

Aleutian selfhealAll-healAllhealAlmindelig brunelleAlpine self-healBlue curlsBlue LucyBrownwortBrunellaBrunella pennsylvanicaBrunella vulgarisBrunella vulgaris GreeneBrunella vulgaris L.Brunelle communeCarpenter's herbCarpenter's weedCarpenter-weedCarpenters weedCommon self-healCommon selfhealConsolida minorDatouhuaDragonheadHeal-allHealallHeart-of-the-earthHercules woundwortHook-healHookweedKalyuthLance selfhealNaidongNeela ghoongru ghaaPrunellaPrunella vulgarisPrunella vulgaris f. candidaPrunella vulgaris f. nanaPrunella vulgaris f. vulgarisPrunella vulgaris subsp. parvifloraPrunella vulgaris var. lanceolataPrunella vulgaris var. nemoralisPrunella vulgaris var. vulgarisSelfhealSicklewortSlough-healSpica prunellae vulgarisThimble-flowerThimbleweedTiesecaoWild sageWoolly betonyWound wortWoundwortXia ku caoXiakucaoXijuYanmian夏枯草

Synopsis

Self-Heal (Prunella vulgaris L.): A Comprehensive Reference

1. Identity and Botanical Description

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

Prunella vulgaris, commonly known as self-heal or heal-all, is a perennial herb belonging to the Lamiaceae (mint) family, native to Europe and North America. There are approximately 15 species of Prunella worldwide, distributed widely in the temperate regions and tropical mountains of Europe and Asia, northwestern Africa, and North America. The species epithet vulgaris derives from Latin, the adjective meaning "common," reflecting the plant's wide distribution and availability. The genus name Prunella is derived from "Brunella," itself a derivative taken from "die Bräune," the German name for diphtheria, which Prunella was historically used to cure.

Prunella vulgaris bears several common synonyms and regional names. The herb is called xia ku cao (夏枯草) in Chinese. There are many synonyms in Chinese literature, including Xiju, Naidong, Yanmian, Tiesecao, and Datouhua. In European traditions it has also been called carpenter's herb, sicklewort, and woundwort — names that reference its wound-healing reputation.

Morphology and Habitat

Prunella vulgaris is a perennial plant 10–50 cm high. It is green and almost glabrous, and its rhizome is creeping and oblique. The stem is erect, simple, and almost glabrous. The leaves are oblong or ovate, glabrous or sparsely pubescent, entire, sometimes obscurely serrated, 2–6 cm long. Prunella vulgaris flowers are bright purple and attract many insects, birds, and bees. It is named (xia ku cao) because of its characteristics of flowering in spring and withering after summer.

Medicinal Plant Parts and Pharmacopoeial Status

Prunella vulgaris L. (PVL) is the dried fruit spike of the Lamiaceae plant Prunella vulgaris L., a perennial herb with medicinal and edible homology used for thousands of years. Prunella vulgaris fruits are included in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and the European Pharmacopoeia (2017). However, the rest of the PV aerial parts are not included in any country's pharmacopoeia, which makes the plant attractive to scientists. Since the 2010 edition, rosmarinic acid was used as the evaluation index in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia; however, the simple quantitative analysis of a single chemical marker (ursolic acid or rosmarinic acid) is not considered sufficient for the quality control of PV.

Common Preparations and Dosage Forms

Prunella vulgaris is available for use as pills, extracts, ointments, and health supplements. All parts of this plant are edible; its leaves are most commonly used in salads, soups, and stews. Freshly chopped, powdered, or dried leaves can also be used to make tea or a healthy drink when combined with cold water. It is also a main ingredient in several herbal teas in southern China, including commercial beverages such as Wong Lo Kat. In clinical research contexts, PVL dosage forms in randomized controlled trials have included oral liquids, capsules, and granules.

2. Traditional and Historical Use

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

In China, the records of PVL originated from the "Shen Nong's Classic of the Materia Medica" (Shén Nóng Bĕn Căo Jīng), dating to the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25–220). As a folk medicine used for thousands of years in China, PVL is mainly used for relieving sore throat, antipyretic purposes, and accelerating wound healing. In TCM theory, PVL is characterized as bitter, acrid, and cold, belonging to the liver and gallbladder meridians. It clears the liver and dissipates fire, improves vision, disperses swelling, and has recognized therapeutic effects on many conditions such as photophobia, dizziness, scrofula, goiter, and breast cancer.

PVL is common in Britain, Europe, Asia, and North America, but its traditional use is generally concentrated in Asia as a TCM for liver function, goiter, and inflammation. Modern clinical practice in China is mostly directed at the treatment of cancer, hypertension, diabetes, pelvic inflammation, breast hyperplasia, thyroid diseases, and prostate diseases.

European Traditions

In 17th century European traditional medicine, the plant was called "self-healing" and used as a remedy for relieving sore throat, reducing fever, and accelerating wound healing. European herbalists traditionally regarded it primarily as a wound herb, and its ability to arrest bleeding gave rise to alternative names such as carpenter's herb and sicklewort. Prunella vulgaris L. has been successfully used as a drug in European and Chinese traditional medicine since ancient times, and was called a "self-healing" or "all-healing" plant.

Indigenous North American Use

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. Additional ethnobotanical records indicate that certain Native American groups, such as the Cherokee, employed the plant as a dermatological aid, using infused root as a wash for bruises, cuts, and acne.

Other Traditional Systems

Prunella vulgaris has been traditionally used as an expectorant, anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, and anti-rheumatic in multiple traditions. In Korean traditional medicine, Prunella vulgaris var. lilacina has long been used for the treatment of sore throat, and to alleviate fever and accelerate wound healing. In Turkish folk medicine, the plant likewise holds a place in the historical herbal repertoire.

3. Phytochemistry: Key Constituents and Active Compounds

Overview of Chemical Classes

So far, about 200 compounds have been isolated from PV, and a majority of these have been characterized mainly as triterpenoids, sterols, and flavonoids, followed by coumarins, phenylpropanoids, polysaccharides, and volatile oils. PVL has complex structures and a large number of chemical constituents. Triterpenoids, sterols, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, organic acids, volatile oils, and polysaccharides have been isolated from PVL, and triterpenoids and flavonoids are regarded as the major active ingredients.

One analytical study found 55 compounds in the PV herb, including 16 flavonoids, 13 phenolic acids, 17 triterpenes, 2 coumarins, and 7 fatty acids.

Phenylpropanoids and Phenolic Acids

Research has shown that rosmarinic acid is the main component of aqueous extracts of PV. HPLC analysis using a standard sample of rosmarinic acid confirmed that it is indeed the main biologically active component of PV. In the analysis of a 50% ethanol extract obtained from the aerial part, five components were identified: chlorogenic, caffeic, and rosmarinic acids, rutin, and quercetin-3-O-glucoside. The dominant component is rosmarinic acid, and the total content of phenolic compounds in PV is 65.53 mg/g, whereas the amount of hydroxycinnamic acids is 45.83 mg/g. The active ingredient rosmarinic acid in PVL has been proved to have a variety of pharmacological effects, such as anti-invasion, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune regulation.

Triterpenoids

Prunella plants contain abundant pentacyclic triterpenoids; to date, 64 of these compounds have been isolated from the genus. The most pharmacologically prominent triterpenoids include ursolic acid and oleanolic acid. P. vulgaris contains triterpenoids, polysaccharides, and flavonoids, with ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, and rosmarinic acid as the predominant compounds. Ursolic acid in Prunella vulgaris L. has been reported to provide anticancer effects.

Flavonoids

Active compounds include flavonoids such as rutin, quercetin, and luteolin, alongside triterpenes like ursolic acid and oleanolic acid and their saponins; phenolic acids like caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid and its derivatives; and polysaccharides. Additional phytochemicals identified include betulinic acid, D-camphor, D-fenchone, cyanidin, delphinidin, hyperoside, lauric acid, myristic acid, rutin, linoleic acid, beta-sitosterol, lupeol, and tannins.

Polysaccharides

A sulfated polysaccharide called prunellin, with anti-HIV activity, was isolated from the aqueous extract of PVL, with a molecular weight of approximately 10 kDa. Its monosaccharide composition was shown to include glucose, galactose, xylose, gluconic acid, galactose acid, and galactose amine. A newer heteropolysaccharide called PVL-P1 (1,750 kDa), isolated from the fruit clusters of PVL, was found to consist of arabinose, xylose, mannose, glucose, and galactose.

Coumarins and Volatile Oils

Three coumarin compounds have been isolated from the ethanol extract of the epigeal parts of PVL: umbelliferone, scopoletin, and esculetin. Phytochemical survey has also revealed volatile oils as part of the plant's copious metabolite profile.

4. Established Mechanisms of Action

Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms

Although most of the bioactivities seen in PV water extracts are attributed to polysaccharide compounds, polyphenol-rich aqueous-ethanolic extract (30% v/v) contains two known constituents with anti-inflammatory activity, namely rosmarinic acid (RA) and ursolic acid (UA). At the cellular level, the hexane fraction of an ethanol extract exhibited anti-inflammatory activities, inducing inhibition of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 production, as well as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) mRNA expression in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation in macrophages. By inhibiting the transcriptional factor NF-κB activity, the extract inhibited inflammation-related iNOS and COX-2 gene expression in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells.

Antiviral Mechanisms

PV can decrease the replication of herpes simplex virus-1 and -2 (HSV-1, HSV-2) by preventing viral binding to cells. PVE30 (a polysaccharide extracted by hot water and 30% ethanol precipitation) mainly inhibited HSV infection by directly inactivating virions and restricting viral replication. Mechanistically, PVE30 inactivated the TLR/TRAF6-mediated NF-κB signalling pathway. A more recent study also found that PVE30 promoted TBK1 phosphorylation, leading to nuclear translocation of IRF3 and subsequent IFN-β transcription; STING was identified as a key mediator in PVE30-activated TBK1 signaling.

Regarding anti-HIV activity, studies have identified inhibition of HIV infection at steps of virus binding, fusion, reverse transcription, integration, and protease function. Identification of constituents of PV that confer inhibition to HIV-1 is limited to the water-soluble, 10 kDa polysaccharide, prunellin, which interferes with HIV-1 virion binding to permissive cells.

Antiviral mechanisms also involve the inhibition of viral attachment and replication, and the modulation of immune response by regulating signalling pathways, including the JAK/STAT pathway, CSE/H₂S pathway, PDK1/Akt signalling pathway, JNK/AP-1 pathway, and NF-κB pathway.

Anti-Tumor Mechanisms

The active ingredients of PV may exert anti-tumor effects by inducing the apoptosis of cancer cells, inhibiting angiogenesis, inhibiting the migration and invasion of tumor cells, and inhibiting autophagy. Phytochemicals such as rutin, quercetin, and hyperoside are found to have anti-cancer properties including anti-proliferation, immune-enhancing, anti-oxidant, pro-apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest in in vivo or in vitro studies. Phenolic acids consisting of rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid may also play a role in anti-tumor properties through mechanisms of anti-angiogenesis, anti-proliferation, and induction of apoptosis.

Antioxidant Mechanisms

Flavonoids and phenolic acids in PV all contain hydroxyl groups that play a role in scavenging free radicals. These phenolic compounds are metabolized in vivo via many bio-activating enzymes; after oral administration, rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, and some metabolites such as ferulic acid and ferulic acid dehydrogenase can be detected in the serum.

Antihypertensive and Hypoglycemic Mechanisms

Network pharmacology analysis suggests that key compounds by which PV may act on diabetes and hypertension include quercetin, morin, luteolin, kaempferol, beta-sitosterol, delphinidin, and spinasterol. Quercetin has been shown to acutely enhance acetylcholine-induced vascular relaxation in hypertensive animal models, suggesting an anti-hypertensive role by reducing vascular elasticity; it can also inhibit the activity of disaccharidase to achieve a hypoglycemic effect. Quercetin has additionally been shown to stimulate insulin release and inhibit INS-1 beta cell activity, and long-term applications can inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis, most likely achieved by inhibiting PI3K/Akt signaling.

5. Scientific Evidence by Area of Use

5.1 Antiviral Activity (Herpes Simplex Virus)

The antiviral properties of PV against HSV are among its most investigated areas. PVE30 was reported to possess antiviral activities against HSV-1 and HSV-2 with EC₅₀ values of 33.36 ± 0.77 μg/mL and 26.61 ± 0.86 μg/mL, respectively. Importantly, water-extracted PV exhibited activity against HSV infection, and PVE30 possessed antiviral effects not only against HSV-1 and HSV-2 but also acyclovir-resistant strains. The total polysaccharide extract of PV also inhibited the expression of HSV-1 and HSV-2 antigens, as well as the antigen expression of acyclovir-resistant HSV-1 strains in Vero cells.

Evidence strength: These antiviral findings are predominantly from in vitro (cell culture) studies. Robust human clinical trials in this area are not yet available, meaning the evidence remains preliminary and confined to the laboratory level.

5.2 Antiviral Activity (HIV)

PV extracts have been shown to contain anti-HIV activity. Studies have identified inhibition of HIV infection at steps of virus binding, fusion, reverse transcription, integration, and protease function. Many of these studies identified Prunella antiviral activity through high-throughput screens for specific viral protein targets in in vitro assays. While constituents in Prunella may be effective against these numerous anti-HIV targets in vitro, inhibition of the specific targets responsible for anti-HIV activity in cells remains unclear.

Evidence strength: All current HIV-relevant evidence is derived from in vitro studies. No human clinical trials have been conducted, and translation to clinical utility has not been established.

5.3 Anti-Inflammatory Activity

Multiple preclinical studies, primarily in cell culture and animal models, have documented the anti-inflammatory properties of PV extracts and their isolated components. The inhibitory effect of PV fractions on LPS-induced NO and PGE2 production was mediated by the inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 expression in macrophage cell lines. The aqueous extract of Xia-Ku-Cao (Prunella vulgaris), as well as its caffeic acid, ursolic acid, and rosmarinic acid components, exhibited a cardioprotective effect in acute myocardial infarction in male rats with left anterior descending coronary artery ligation. The extract (400 mg/kg) administered by intragastric gavage after surgery improved cardiac function and reduced the infarct size, inflammation, fibrosis, oxidative damage, and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes.

Evidence strength: Evidence is predominantly from in vitro and animal model studies. There is a notable absence of placebo-controlled human trials specifically focused on inflammatory endpoints.

5.4 Anticancer Activity

Preclinical evidence for anti-tumor activity has accumulated across multiple cancer types. The active ingredients of PV may exert anti-tumor effects by inducing the apoptosis of cancer cells, inhibiting angiogenesis, inhibiting the migration and invasion of tumor cells, and inhibiting autophagy. Network pharmacology analyses suggest PV exerts anti-breast cancer effects by inhibiting key targets in the estrogen pathway and ErbB pathways, such as AKT1, EGFR, and MYC. Ursolic acid and beta-sitosterol were successfully docked to those four target proteins with higher binding energy compared with other components.

One human clinical study has been conducted: in an investigation of the efficacy and safety of PVL combined with taxane for treatment of patients with breast cancer, 424 patients with breast cancer were evenly assigned into two groups: an experimental group (oral administration of PVL and taxane) and a control group (oral administration of placebo and taxane). The primary endpoint was pathologic complete response (pCR), evaluated using the Miller and Payne system.

Evidence strength: The existing human breast cancer trial represents one of the few clinical data points. The vast majority of anticancer evidence remains from in vitro and animal studies. Although some of the chemical constituents of the PV plant and their mechanisms of action have been investigated, the biological activities of many of these remain unknown, and further clinical trials are required to further enhance its reputation as a medicinal plant.

5.5 Thyroid Disease (Hyperthyroidism)

A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis specifically addressed this application. Seventeen RCTs (1,360 subjects) reported free triiodothyronine (FT3) levels; PVL dosage forms across the included trials included oral liquids, capsules, and granules. The meta-analysis evaluated outcomes including thyroid hormone levels (FT3, FT4, TSH) and inflammatory markers, examining PVL combined with antithyroid drugs compared to antithyroid drugs alone. These studies were predominantly single-center, small-sample clinical trials. For selective reporting, none of the protocols included in the study were retrieved from the Clinical Trials Registry platform and rated as unclear. Six studies explicitly included patients with Graves' disease but did not report the key outcome of TRAb; these studies were rated as high risk of bias.

Evidence strength: The meta-analysis provides a degree of clinical evidence, but limitations include the predominantly small, single-center nature of included RCTs, methodological concerns in risk-of-bias assessment, and lack of trial pre-registration in some studies.

5.6 Skin and Photoaging

A laboratory study using human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs) found that PV, which contains flavonoids, triterpenoids, and phenolic acids such as rosmarinic acid (1.49%), caffeic acid (0.33%), and rutin (0.11%), protected NHDFs from UVB-induced inflammatory and photoaging damage. This protective effect was attributed to modulation of the NF-κB, MAPKs, AP-1, and TGF-β/Smad signaling pathways.

Evidence strength: This evidence is limited to in vitro cell-based experimentation; no clinical trials in human skin aging have been reported.

5.7 Antihypertensive and Hypoglycemic Effects

Modern pharmacological studies have shown that PVL has pharmacological effects on antihypertensive and hypoglycemic functions, among others. Studies in animal models have documented blood pressure-lowering and blood sugar-lowering activity. In the aspect of clinical practice, PV is also applied for thyroid gland malfunction, breast hyperplasia, and ulcerative colitis. However, these clinical observations derive largely from traditional clinical practice reports and small-scale Chinese clinical studies rather than large, rigorously controlled trials.

Evidence strength: Evidence is predominantly preclinical (animal models) and from observational or small-scale clinical reports. Robust, large-scale RCTs are lacking for these specific endpoints.

5.8 Antimicrobial Activity

PV's antimicrobial effects, including antiviral and antibacterial effects, are receiving increasing attention. While its antiviral effects are attributed mainly to the inhibition of virus replication, the biological mechanisms of its antibacterial effects or actions remain incompletely characterized. Preclinical studies have included investigation of PV extracts against multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli from patients with urinary tract infection.

Evidence strength: Predominantly in vitro; human clinical antibacterial studies are absent.

6. Body Systems and Health Areas Associated with Self-Heal

Immune system: High content of rosmarinic acid, immunomodulation effects of the polysaccharide prunelline, and antiviral activity of some constituents make the plant interesting from the viewpoint of therapeutic applications.
Integumentary system (skin): Traditional use for wound healing, and preclinical evidence for protection against UVB-induced photoaging.
Respiratory and throat: In the past, self-heal was primarily used as a remedy alleviating pains in the throat, fevers, and accelerating wound healing.
Endocrine system (thyroid): PVL clears the liver and dissipates fire, improves vision, disperses swelling, and has recognized therapeutic effects on conditions such as scrofula, goiter, and breast cancer in traditional practice.
Cardiovascular system: Preclinical evidence for antihypertensive and cardioprotective effects, including reduction of infarct size and fibrosis in animal models.
Metabolic/endocrine system (glucose regulation): Animal model evidence for hypoglycemic activity; modern pharmacological studies have shown that PVL has pharmacological effects including hypoglycemic and lipid-lowering activity.
Hepatic system: Modern pharmacological studies have shown that PVL has liver protection effects, demonstrated primarily in preclinical models.
Central nervous system: Sedative and hypnotic effects have been identified in pharmacological studies of PVL.

7. Dosage Forms and Reported Dosages

According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, the medicinal dosage of PVL is generally 9–15 g. This refers to the dried fruit spike used in decoction form in traditional Chinese medicine. In published randomized controlled trials investigating PVL for hyperthyroidism, dosage forms included oral liquids (7 RCTs), capsules (3 RCTs), and granules (7 RCTs). In the breast cancer clinical study, one study found that consuming approximately 7 ounces (207 ml) of Prunella vulgaris extract per day was reported as safe and not causing side effects in people with breast cancer.

In the animal cardioprotection study cited above, the extract was administered at 400 mg/kg by intragastric gavage after surgery. Given that very few studies have investigated the effects of Prunella vulgaris in humans, there is limited information on its recommended dosage.

8. Safety Considerations and Interactions

Pharmacopoeial Safety Guidance

According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, because of the bitter and cold nature of PVL, excessive use may stimulate the gastrointestinal tract, causing diarrhea, abdominal pain, and other discomfort. It is therefore contraindicated, according to TCM principles, for people with deficient cold of the spleen and stomach.

Reported Adverse Events

So far, reports of adverse reactions to PVL are rare; one case of contact dermatitis caused by PVL has been reported in the published literature. In the breast cancer clinical trial, the main dose-limiting toxicity for adverse reactions was hematologic toxicity, with grade 3/4 leukocytes and neutropenia observed; no serious adverse event was noted after symptomatic treatment in patients with neutropenia. Severe thrombocytopenia and anemia were rarely observed. Non-hematological adverse reactions, such as vomiting, cardiotoxicity, mucositis, and neurotoxicity, were relatively low in incidence. These adverse events, however, were in the context of combined use with taxane chemotherapy, and their attribution solely to PVL cannot be determined.

Populations with Insufficient Safety Data

There has been no research on Prunella vulgaris in children or in pregnant or breastfeeding women, and therefore the safety of this herb in these populations is unknown.

Quality Control and Standardization Concerns

The chemical composition of PV depends on various factors ranging from the part of the plant to the method of extraction. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia uses rosmarinic acid as the evaluation index for quality control; however, the simple quantitative analysis of a single chemical marker is not considered sufficient for complete quality control of PV. This means that commercially available preparations may vary substantially in composition and potency. The biological activities of many of the plant's chemical constituents remain unknown, and further clinical trials are required.

Overall Evidence Limitations

The current research on PVL remains still insufficient, and there are certain limitations in some specific studies. It is necessary to further strengthen the research on its medicinal chemistry, mechanism of action, and clinical application efficacy in the future, and strive to extract, purify, and synthesize effective components with high efficiency and low toxicity, so as to improve the safety and rationality of clinical medication. The overwhelming majority of pharmacological evidence to date is drawn from in vitro cell studies and animal experiments, with clinical human evidence remaining sparse and methodologically limited.

References

Health Conditions

Health conditions that Self-heal may help support.

No conditions available.

Body Systems

Body systems that Self-heal may help support.

No body systems available.