Selfheal

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• carpenter weed
• common heal-all
• common self-heal
• heal-all
• self-heal
• Selfheal
• Common Self Heal
• blue curls
• brownwort
• carpenter's herb
• heart-of-the-earth
• lawn prunella
• woundwort

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Prunella vulgaris, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, its classification is completed within the genus Prunella.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad presence across several regions within Northern Europe. It can be found growing in the natural landscapes of Denmark and Finland. Additionally, its distribution extends to the islands of Føroyar and Iceland. The species is also widely documented throughout Great Britain. Together, these locations highlight the specific northern territories where the plant thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Prunella vulgaris is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse range of environments, spanning an elevational gradient from as low as 50 m AMSL to a maximum of 4000 m AMSL. This wide altitudinal tolerance allows the species to inhabit various ecosystems, including anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica), coastal forests (Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria), ombrophilous forests (Floresta Ombrófila/Floresta Pluvial), and mixed ombrophilous forests (Floresta Ombrófila Mista). Such versatility suggests an adaptable nature, enabling it to persist in both human-disturbed landscapes and complex forest structures.

Elevational range max:

4000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

50 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Floresta Ombrófila Mista

Genetics

The genetics of Prunella vulgaris are characterized by significant cytogenetic variability and complex polyploidy levels. The species exhibits a diverse range of chromosome numbers, with documented values including 14, 21, 28, 32, 42, and 56. This numerical variation indicates that the plant undergoes various stages of genome doubling, resulting in different ploidy levels across different populations or geographical regions. Based on these chromosomal counts, the basic haploid number is denoted as n, serving as the foundation for its polyploid series. Such genomic plasticity is a defining genetic feature of the species, contributing to its evolutionary adaptability and morphological diversity.

Chromosome number :

14, 21, 28, 32, 42, 56

Ploidy :

n

Life history

The life history of Prunella vulgaris is characterized by its existence as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. Functioning as a hemicryptophyte, its perennable buds are situated at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or soil during unfavorable periods. The plant exhibits an evergreen nature, maintaining its foliage and structural integrity throughout the year, which supports its continuous presence in its natural habitat.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Prunella vulgaris is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. This self-supporting plant exhibits an erect shoot orientation and does not function as a climber, liana, or vine. As a terrestrial species, it is neither aquatic nor an epiphyte, growing independently without parasitic or epiphytic requirements. In terms of stature, the plant maintains a relatively low profile with a minimum height of 0.05 m, a mean height of approximately 0.251 m, and can reach a maximum height of 0.6 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.6 m

Plant height mean:

0.251 m

Plant height min:

0.05 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Prunella vulgaris is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a standard carbon fixation mechanism for many temperate herbaceous species. As a non-carnivorous plant, it relies on soil-based nutrient uptake rather than insectivory, and it does not function as a nitrogen fixer. Its vegetative structure is defined by elliptic-shaped leaves that exhibit significant morphological variability; leaf lengths range from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a maximum of 9 cm, while leaf widths vary between 0.5 cm and 4 cm, resulting in a mean leaf width of 1.5 cm. The average leaf size is recorded at approximately 6.75333 cm², and the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 295.45 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf mass per area and its resource allocation strategy regarding light interception and leaf thickness.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

9 cm

Leaf length min:

1.5 cm

Leaf size mean:

6.75333 cm²

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width mean:

1.5 cm

Leaf width min:

0.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

295.45 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Prunella vulgaris is primarily sexual, characterized by bisexual flowers that allow for self-fertilization. The flowering period is variable, typically beginning in July and concluding in April. These flowers, which exhibit a blue color, generally range in length from 1.1 cm to 1.2 cm. The pollination syndrome is biotic, specifically involving insects, with bees being a primary pollinator. Following successful pollination, the plant produces dry, indehiscent fruits known as achenes. These fruits are quite small, with a mean length of 0.2 cm (ranging from 0.22 cm to 0.23 cm) and a width between 0.09 cm and 0.11 cm. Each fruit is highly prolific, containing between 101 and 1000 seeds. The seeds themselves are uniform in dimensions, with a consistent length of 2 mm and a volume of 1.7 mm³. In terms of mass, the seeds are lightweight, with a mean mass of approximately 0.00088 g, though they can range from a minimum of 8.8e-05 g to a maximum of 0.006 g. Dispersal of the seeds follows an unspecialized pattern, specifically utilizing epizoochory, where they are dispersed by attaching to passing animals. No asexual reproduction methods were noted for this species.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Dispersal syndrome :

epizoochorous

Flower colour :

blue

Flower length max:

1.2 cm

Flower length min:

1.1 cm

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Apr

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

0.23 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.2 cm

Fruit length min:

0.22 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Fruit width max:

0.11 cm

Fruit width min:

0.09 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed length mean:

2 mm

Seed mass max:

0.006 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000884807142857143 g

Seed mass min:

8.8e-05 g

Seed volume max:

1.7 mm³

Seeds_per_fruit :

101-1000

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Prunella vulgaris has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root.

Leaf

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Root

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Chemicals

Prunella vulgaris has 132 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include rosmarinic acid, Flavonoids, caffeic acid, OLEANOLIC ACID, Ursolic acid.

rosmarinic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Frontiers in plant science
3. Scientific reports
4. PloS one
5. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Flavonoids

1. Dr. Duke
2. PloS one
3. International journal of biological macromolecules
4. Current pharmaceutical design
5. Frontiers in pharmacology

caffeic acid

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR
3. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
4. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
5. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

OLEANOLIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke
2. PloS one
3. Current drug discovery technologies
4. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Ursolic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. PloS one
3. Current drug discovery technologies
4. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

triterpenoids

1. Current pharmaceutical design
2. Analytical methods : advancing methods and applications
3. Frontiers in pharmacology
4. Current drug discovery technologies

Coumarins

1. Dr. Duke
2. Current pharmaceutical design
3. Current drug discovery technologies

Hyperoside

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

POTASSIUM

1. Dr. Duke
2. PloS one
3. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Salviaflaside

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Prunella vulgaris has 543 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antiviral, Hypoglycemic, Antibacterial, Antidiabetic.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Chemistry & biodiversity
3. International journal of biological macromolecules
4. Frontiers in pharmacology
5. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR
3. International journal of biological macromolecules
4. Frontiers in pharmacology
5. Metabolites

Hypoglycemic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie
3. Frontiers in pharmacology
4. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Frontiers in pharmacology
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antidiabetic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Antifibrotic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antihypertensive

1. Dr. Duke
2. Frontiers in pharmacology

Antimicrobial

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR
2. Analytical methods : advancing methods and applications

Antinociceptive

1. Dr. Duke
2. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Antipyretic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Prunella vulgaris has 49 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include breast cancer, goiter, herpes simplex virus, inflammation, scrofula.

Breast cancer

1. Frontiers in pharmacology
2. Biology of reproduction

Goiter

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Frontiers in pharmacology

Herpes simplex virus

1. Forschende Komplementarmedizin (2006)
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Inflammation

1. Carbohydrate research
2. The American journal of Chinese medicine

Scrofula

1. Frontiers in pharmacology
2. The American journal of Chinese medicine

Aids

1. Life sciences

Diabetic nephropathy

1. The American journal of Chinese medicine

Hiv infection

1. Life sciences

Hsv-1

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hsv-2

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Prunella vulgaris has 25 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanol extracts, Aqueous extracts, MeOH extract, Monofloral honey, PPV.

Ethanol extracts

1. Virology journal
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Aqueous extracts

1. Virology journal

Meoh extract

1. Planta medica

Monofloral honey

1. Food & function

Ppv

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Pv extract

1. Biology of reproduction

Pvh

1. Food & function

Prunella vulgaris extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Prunella vulgaris polysaccharides

1. International journal of biological macromolecules

Prunella vulgaris polysaccharides (pvps)

1. Fitoterapia