Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Self-Heal (Prunella vulgaris) has a long-standing history of use in traditional medicine for treating external bleeding. In European and Chinese herbal traditions, the aerial parts of Self-Heal have been applied topically to wounds, cuts, and abrasions to help stop bleeding and promote healing. The plant is sometimes referred to as "woundwort," alluding to its traditional use in wound care.

The mechanism is believed to be due to its astringent properties, which help constrict blood vessels and promote clotting. Traditional herbal texts, such as Culpeper's Herbal and various Chinese materia medica, document this usage, and preparations vary from poultices to tinctures.

However, scientific validation of Self-Heal’s hemostatic (bleeding-stopping) action is limited. Some laboratory studies have identified bioactive compounds in the plant, such as tannins and flavonoids, that possess astringent and anti-inflammatory activities, which could theoretically support wound healing and reduction of bleeding. However, clinical trials or robust pharmacological studies directly confirming its efficacy for external bleeding are lacking.

In summary, while the use of Self-Heal for external bleeding is well-rooted in traditional practice and supported by plausible mechanisms based on its phytochemistry, there is a lack of high-quality scientific evidence to confirm its effectiveness for this indication.

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