Evidence supporting the use of: Self-Heal
For the health condition: Bleeding (external)
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.
Other ingredients used for Bleeding (external)
AbrusAbuta
Acacia
Achyranthes
Agrimonia pilosa
Agrimony
Ajuga
Alchemilla
Alchornea
Alkanna
Aloe vera
Alstonia macrophylla
American Liverleaf
Amor seco
Angelica
animal Tissue
Aquilegia formosa
Ardisia
arnica
ash
Ashoka
asiaticoside
Asteraceae
avens
bai ji
Baliospermum
balsam
bamboo
Baphicacanthus cusia
Barleria
basil
bayberry
bee products
bee propolis
bentonite
benzoin
bermuda grass
betel
bethroot
betony
Bidens pilosa
bioflavonoids
bishop\'s weed
bistort
black cumin
black nightshade
black root
black-eyed Susan
blackberry
blackthorn
Bletilla
bloodroot
Boerhavia diffusa
Bombax
borneol
boxthorne
Brazilian peppertree
bur-reed
Butea monosperma
Caesalpinia crista
Calendula
camphor oil
capillary artemisia
capsicum
Carthamus
Casearia esculenta
catechu
catkin
cayenne pepper
cedar
Cedrus libani
celandine
Centipeda
chamomile
chickweed
Chinese raisintree
chlorophyllin
cinquefoil
Clerodendrum indicum
cocklebur
commiphora
common madia
Coptis chinensis
cornflower
cowherb
cranesbill
curcumen
curcumin
Cyathula
cypress
devil\'s club
Dianthus
dragon\'s blood
Eclipta
elephant\'s head
Erigeron
Erodium cicutarium
essential oil blend
Eupatorium
Euphorbia
Eupolyphaga sinensis
European Elder
fern
fibrinase
Ficus religiosa
fleabane
Fomes fomentarius
fungus
Galium
gallotannin
Gambir
Genipa americana
geranium
ghatti
Glechoma hederacea
Gnaphalium
Golden Willow
Guazuma ulmifolia
heal-all
Helicteres isora
hemp
henna
Herb Robert
herbal blend (proprietary)
Homalomena
honey
Horsemint
horsetail
hound\'s tongue
Huang hua
Indian fagonia
Indian gum arabic tree
Indian kinotree
Jessica\'s sticktight
juglans cinerea
Kachnar
Kokilaksha
labrador tea
Leptospermum scoparium
Lesser speargrass
Levant cotton
Lewis's monkey flower
lichen
Litsea
little ironweed
lodhtree
Lysimachia
Macaranga indica
Malva sylvestris
marigold
Matapalo Tree
Matico
Microcos
Moss
Mountain mahogany
Mugwort
Myrobalan
Myrrh
Nasturtium
Oak
Osha
Oxystelma
pagoda tree
papaya
parthenium
paw paw
peony
Peucedanum
Phyllanthus
Plantago
plantain
polymorpha
Portulaca
Potentilla
Propolis
protein
Prunus
purple loosestrife
queen of the meadow
raspberry
red spiderling
resin
Rhus glabra
Rosa californica
Rubia yunnanensis
Rubus
rue
sage
Sangre de Grado
Sanguisorba
Sanicle
scrophularia root
sea salt
Self-Heal
Sensitive Plant
Sesbania
sheep's sorrel
shen-chu
shepherd's purse
Sichuan Lovage
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Silverweed
Smartweed
Smooth Alder
Solanaceae
Southern Tsangshu
Speedwell
Spilanthes
squawvine
Stellaria dichotoma
Stereospermum
Stone Root
Sumac
Tagetes
Tannins
Terminalia
Thaumatococcus daniellii
Trichosanthes
Tridax
Triterpenes
Vervain
Viola
Violet
vitamin C
vitamin K
White Heather
White oak
Willow
Wintergreen
Witch Hazel
Wood betony
Yarrow
Yerba buena
Yerba Mansa
zanthoxylum
Zingiberene
Other health conditions supported by Self-Heal
AbrasionsAbscesses
Acid Indigestion
Acne
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Anxiety
Arthritis
Asthma
Bites and Stings
Bleeding (external)
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cuts
Dermatitis
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Eczema
Edema
Eye Infections
Eye Problems
Fever
Fungal Infections
Gingivitis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Gonorrhea
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Indigestion
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Inflammation
Injuries
Insomnia
Itching
Jaundice (adults)
Kidney Infection
Lymph Nodes or Glands (swollen)
