Self-Heal (Prunella vulgaris) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine across Europe and Asia, primarily for its purported anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, and immune-supportive properties. In terms of insomnia, Self-Heal is occasionally referenced in traditional medicine texts—not as a primary sleep aid, but sometimes as part of calming or nervine herbal blends. The rationale is based on its general use to "clear heat," reduce agitation, or promote overall bodily balance, which some traditional systems associate with better sleep.

Scientific validation for Self-Heal specifically as a treatment for insomnia is lacking. There are no robust clinical trials, animal studies, or pharmacological investigations directly supporting its efficacy or mechanism as a sleep aid. While some lab studies have explored the plant’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective activities, these investigations do not extend to clinical outcomes for insomnia or sleep disorders.

In summary, the use of Self-Heal for insomnia is primarily justified by tradition and is supported by anecdotal or historical references rather than by scientific evidence. The strength of the evidence is very low, as its traditional use for this indication is sparse and not central to its ethnobotanical profile.