Prunella vulgaris/ Heal All/ Self Heal

August's Featured Alternative- HARVESTING!
Prunella Vulgarius - Heal All

This beautiful flowering herb is not called heal all for no reason. It's mouth shaped flowers, rough-like little hairs and long tops is something that every home should have.To buy such a thing would cost you more than $60 on Amazon.


So why waste your money when (from my experience) grows from Ohio all the way across through to the panhandle in northern Idaho.

They are ready for picking as soon as a flower has bloomed on it. Here are some pictures of my harvesting last month. 

Prunella Vulgaris, grown in sunny, wet, dry, and shady conditions. Along trails, besides rivers, etc. this can be found everywhere. Grows to about 1-2ft tall. Purple Flowers. This particular site where I harvested in along side trail to the scenic Kootenai river, in North Western Montana.

Scenic Kootenai River, Montana
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I harvested about a pound Prunella Vulgaris. I must admit, I was very surprised to see such large tops! Some larger than the size of my pinky finger. I have never seen them so big. It must be the Montana air or something because in Ohio they were small.
The largest one I picked was almost the size of my index finger!
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What is Prunella Vulgaris used for? Stay tuned for more! Until next time. Thanks for reading!

Featured Alternative: Weeds #2 - Cattail

Cattail (Typha latifolia) - the pollen can be used to enrich flour. The unripe flower spikes can be cooked as a vegetable and the young shoots and inner stems are eaten raw or cooked. It is even known to use them as torches when dipped into oil or animal fat. You can even make beautiful baskets out of the leaves.

Made into a poultice is good for cuts wounds, stings and bruises. Ash from the burned leaves can be used as an antiseptic or styptic for wounds.

The 'fluff' from the tops can be used as pillow stuffing and insulation for clothing. 
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Featured Alternative: Weeds #1 - Burdock

 Burdock (Arctium lappa) - cultivated as a vegetable in Japan where it is known as gobo. The stalks are scraped and cooked like celery. The roots are sweet and can be eaten raw in salads or added to stir fries.
Traditionally, burdock has been used as a remedy for measles, arthritis, tonsillitis, viruses like colds, throat pain, and as a diuretic.
   Mostly thought to be a weed because it's good for sticking to you and your furry pets. Keep in mind, once its burrs have opened, tiny hair-like needles 'thorn' themselves into your skin. Don't worry, the itching will go away and a rash may appear, but it will be gone in about a day or so.

Featured Alternative: Weeds

Looking throughout your lawn, garden, side of the road and even the woods, keep in mind that those 'weeds' you have been brainwashed into hating could very well help you or even, save your life! Don't pull em or even through them out! If they are somewhere you don't want them simply dig them up and replant them in their own bed!

This month we will show the various different types of weeds, a brief example of what they are good for and many pictures!

Burdock

Images of Burdock have been added to the "Herb Identification" Page.