Organic
Self Heal
The following
article is reproduced with kind permission of P.Topham, U.S.
Nutritional and Herbal Researcher:
Self
Heal is native to Europe, North America and Asia. It is a
perennial with a creeping rhizome (root system), square stems,
and oblong leaves that have sharply toothed edges and a shinny
dark-green surface. Compact spikes of lipped, violet flowers
appear from midsummer to early autumn at the tips of the stems,
with a pair of stalkless leaves beneath, like a collar.
The name Self Heal describes the herb very well. The whole
of the herb can be used and in the middle ages self heal was
considered one of the best wound healing remedies. Because
of this it was also known as carpenters' herb and used to
treat numerous types of cuts and abrasions. Today it is mainly
used as a styptic (contracting the blood vessels or tissues).
It can be used externally direct upon bleeding wounds, and
internally for ulcers, internal bleeding and sore throats.
Chinese medicine prescribes it for high blood pressure, conjunctivitis,
oedema (swelling with water retention), abscesses and swellings.
Copyright © 2000 - 2005 P. Topham: U.S. Nutritional and Herbal Researcher - All Rights Reserved.
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