Herb
Self-Heal
A common little meadow flower, used as a tea or gargle, traditionally valued for soothing sore throats and minor wounds.
🌱 What it is
Self-heal is a small purple-flowered plant that grows wild in lawns and meadows across much of the world. Its name reflects centuries of traditional use as a soothing, all-purpose home remedy.
✨ How it may help
- Traditionally used as a gargle to soothe a sore throat
- May help soothe minor cuts and scrapes when used as a wash
- Has a long folk history as a gentle, everyday herb
- Makes a mild, easy-to-drink tea
🥄 How to use it
Steep 1 teaspoon of dried self-heal in hot water for 10 minutes and sip, or cool it and use as a gargle for a sore throat or a wash for minor wounds.
⚖️ Caution
Self-heal is gentle and well tolerated by most people. As with any herb, those on medication can check with a doctor, and large medicinal doses should be avoided in pregnancy. If foraging it yourself, make sure it's correctly identified and gathered from a clean, unsprayed area.
🍃 A note from nature
Self-heal often pops up uninvited in lawns and meadows, its small purple flower spikes surviving mowing better than almost any other wildflower.