Prunella vulgaris
Selfheal
Prunella vulgaris, commonly known as self-heal, is a versatile perennial herb prized in traditional herbalism. Renowned for its potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, this plant has long been used to treat wounds, sore throats, and skin irritations. Its unique structure and healing potential make it a botanical treasure.
- Scientific name: Prunella vulgaris
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Native range: Europe
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.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Lamiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Prunella | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Prunella vulgaris, is recognized by various common names across different linguistic contexts. In Simplified Chinese (zh-hans), Traditional Chinese (zh-hant), Cantonese (zh-hk), Mandarin Chinese (zh-cn), and Singaporean Mandarin (zh-sg), it is consistently referred to as 夏枯草.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 夏枯草 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 夏枯草 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 夏枯草 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 夏枯草 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 夏枯草 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 夏枯草 | Wikidata |
| pl | Głowienka pospolita | Wikidata |
| fr | Brunelle commune | Wikidata |
| ko | 꿀풀 | Wikidata |
| de | Kleine Braunelle | Wikidata |
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.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Føroyar | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Iceland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as self-heal, is characterized by its unique morphological structures used in traditional medicine. The most distinctive feature is the dense, dark purple flowering spike that emerges from the center of the leaves. These terminal spikes are composed of numerous small, tubular flowers clustered tightly together. While some botanical texts might colloquially or incorrectly refer to these elongated structures as a spicca or spiicas, the correct botanical term remains the spike. Below the surface, the plant develops a sturdy, creeping root system that helps it spread through the soil and anchor itself firmly.- Total parts
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 10
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| spikes | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| spike | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| spicca | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| spicas | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ethanol extracts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dry spike | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Prunella vulgaris has 88 reported phytochemicals identified across 138 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include rosmarinic acid, flavonoids, caffeic acid, Rosmarinic acid, triterpenoids.
- Total chemicals
- 88
- Scientific sources
- 138
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| rosmarinic acid | 14 | ★★★★★ |
| flavonoids | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| caffeic acid | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Rosmarinic acid | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| triterpenoids | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| oleanolic acid | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| protocatechuic acid | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| salviaflaside | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| ursolic acid | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| RA | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Prunella vulgaris has 19 reported activities identified across 31 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antiviral, Hypoglycemic, Antibacterial, Antimicrobial.
- Total activities
- 19
- Scientific sources
- 31
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Hypoglycemic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibiotic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifibrotic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihypertensive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antinociceptive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Prunella vulgaris has 49 reported medicinal uses identified across 54 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include breast cancer, goiter, herpes simplex virus, inflammation, scrofula.
- Total uses
- 49
- Scientific sources
- 54
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| breast cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| goiter | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| herpes simplex virus | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| scrofula | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| AIDS | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diabetic nephropathy | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| HIV infection | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| HSV-1 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| HSV-2 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |