Therapeutic Uses
Healing Wounds, Burns, Abscesses and Boils – In Western herbalism, self-heal has been commonly used for all sorts of wounds. Some herbalists liken its qualities to plantain’s vulnerary abilities. Both of these plants are somewhat astringent and demulcent, stabilizing tissue and protecting the skin’s moisture at the same time. Self-heal is used for wounds on the skin, including cuts, scrapes and burns. It’s also used for drawing out infections, such as abscesses and boils. Internally, self-heal has been used for ulcers, especially those in the mouth and throat. Numerous herbalists claim that self-heal is a styptic herb that can staunch the flow of bleeding similar to yarrow or shepherd’s purse.
Chronic Viral Infections – A plethora of studies have shown that self-heal has antiviral properties, especially against the herpes simplex virus, HPV and even HIV. Researchers have shown that it inhibits the binding ability of a virus, making it most effective at preventing and stopping new outbreaks. Because it inhibits the ability of viruses to replicate, it is most effective at stopping recurring localized viral infections such as herpes. Some interesting in-vitro studies have been done using self-heal against HIV, showing that is has the ability to inhibit viral replication in a petri dish. Researchers on these studies are optimistic about their findings and have encouraged more testing to be done.
Upper Respiratory Infections – Remember that slightly sweet taste we detected in our cup of self-heal tea? It turns out self-heal has polysaccharides (like astragalus and many mushrooms), which are known to be balancing to the immune system, or immunomodulating. Taken regularly, self-heal may support a healthy immune system and reduce the incidence of upper respiratory infections. Self-heal was historically used for sore throats, even severe ones like quinsy, which is an abscess of the tonsils. It is a great choice as a hot tea at the beginning stages of a cold with sore throat. In addition to fighting the virus, the demulcent qualities of self-heal will help to soothe and coat a dry, scratchy or irritated throat.
Allergies and Inflammation – As part of its immunomodulating action, self-heal reduces an excessive immune system response like what we see with seasonal allergies or chronic inflammation. Of course, when dealing with chronic inflammation we always want to address the root cause, which is often based on diet or lifestyle. However, regularly drinking self-heal tea may help reduce your seasonal allergy symptoms.
Strengthen the Kidneys and Diuresis – Herbalist William LeSassier praised self-heal for its kidney-strengthening abilities. In The Earthwise Herbal, Matthew Wood relates that LeSassier specifically thought of self-heal when there was deficient kidney function along with dental decay. In addition to strengthening the kidneys, self-heal is a mild diuretic that could be helpful for draining dampness, such as edema, or a way to reduce high blood pressure.
Diabetes and Heart Disease – Self-heal has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity, thus preventing or reducing the effects of metabolic syndrome and diabetes. Most heart disease in the US is a symptom of this increasingly common metabolic syndrome, a chronic disease that manifests as poor glucose metabolism that creates a systemic inflammatory condition. Besides increasing insulin sensitivity, self-heal may also have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. It is used to lower blood pressure in Chinese medicine and has been shown to have inflammatory-modulating effects on cardiovascular tissues.
Headaches and Painful Eyes – Chinese medicine specifically uses self-heal for signs of “Liver fire rising” and “Liver constraint.” Headaches and painful eyes that are worse at night are indications for self-heal. Self-heal is recommended for many types of eye complaints, including red eyes, conjunctivitis and eye-tearing. It is often combined with Chrysanthemum flowers for fever, headaches, hypertension, dizziness, vertigo and hyperactivity in children.
Summer Heat, Summer Rashes and Protection from the Sun – The third edition of the Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica recommends the dew or hydrosol of self-heal as a tonic for preventing and treating summer heat and summer rashes in both children and adults. Self-heal cools the body and disperses heat. The mild demulcent qualities may help to rehydrate as well. Self-heal and its constituent rosmarinic acid have been shown to protect skin cells from UVA and UVB radiation. In one study, researchers looked at self-heal as an herbal photo-protectant and concluded that self-heal may offer protection against the sun when used in dermatological products. While we are waiting for in-vivo tests to substantiate these findings, self-heal infused oils would be a nice addition to anyone’s skin regimen.
Swollen Lymph, Cancer and Nodules – That’s right, this weed commonly found in lawns everywhere has been shown to have anticancer effects, especially against lung cancer and lymphoma. Most of the studies to date are in-vitro so more research is needed, but the sheer volume of positive studies highlights self-heal’s anticancer potential. In TCM, Xia Ku Cao (Self Heal) is used to soften hardness (lumps, enlarged lymph nodes). It is used for goiters, lipomas, mumps, mastitis, lymphosarcoma and scrofula. Another mechanism that self-heal has been shown to possess is an anti-estrogenic quality. Researchers surmise that it could be used to prevent or stop estrogen-dependent tumors. Self-heal has also long been used for stagnant lymph nodes and non-serious nodules. It is taken both internally and used externally as a fresh poultice to get lymph moving.
Medicinal Uses: * Bruises/sprains * Cuts & Wounds * Herpes/Cold Sores * Sore Throat
Self-Heal Side Effects: None noted
Self-Heal Drug Interactions: None noted
