Self-Heal (Prunella vulgaris) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine across Europe and Asia, where it has been employed for a variety of ailments including wounds, inflammation, and, to a lesser extent, fluid retention or edema. The rationale for its use in edema is primarily based on its purported anti-inflammatory and mild diuretic effects, as described in traditional European and Chinese herbal texts. However, these uses are largely anecdotal and based on empirical observation rather than systematic clinical evaluation.

In terms of scientific validation, there is limited preclinical evidence suggesting that extracts of Self-Heal may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which could theoretically contribute to reducing edema. Some laboratory studies have noted diuretic effects in animal models, but these are not robust or consistent, and there are no high-quality clinical trials in humans specifically addressing the efficacy of Self-Heal for edema. As such, while traditional herbal medicine systems may recommend Self-Heal for fluid retention or mild swelling, the scientific evidence remains weak and does not substantiate its use for this condition beyond historical or folkloric practice.