Self Heal

Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District

Self-Heal (Carpenter's Weed)
Prunella vulgaris elongata [C-value 10]
Mint family (Lamiaceae)
Blooms mid-June - October

The native variety of Self-Heal is rare in our area. It is taller and more erect than the more common Eurasian variety, sometimes called Lawn Prunella and found in lawns. It prefers full or partial sun and and moist to slightly moist rich loamy soil. Habitats include moist meadows along streams, woodland borders, pastures, and abandoned fields. This perennial is about ½–1' tall, unbranched and erect with opposite oval-shaped leaves, up to 2" long and ¾" across, on short petioles. The stem terminates in a short spike of flowers. Each tubular flower is about ½" long with 2 lips, the upper light purple or lavender lip functions as a hood and the lower lip is white and fringed.

Self-heal at Lyon Forest Preserve June 30, 2015

Self-heal at Pickerill/Pigott Forest Preserve July 11, 2015

Self-heal at Lyon Forest Preserve July 11, 2012

Self-heal at Baker Woods Forest Preserve July 9, 2013

Native Americans used this plant for “fire-purging” - treating redness and inflammation of the eyes or infections of the skin and for “breaking concretions” in the chest and throat. To this day, it is utilized in formulas for treating thyroid swellings and breast lumps. Reminder: see our Do Not Disturb Notice.

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