Common Self-heal can be distinguished from other Self-heal species by the first pair of leaves that grow directly under the inflorescence. It is often found on meadows. The whole herb, including the deep purple flowers, can be eaten raw as a salad or cooked as leaf vegetables. The North American Nlaka’pamux make a tasty drink from a cold infusion of the plant.

Many of its numerous vernacular names, such as Self-heal, Heal-all, Woundwort or German Immergesund and Selbstheil refer to a medicinal use of this plant. The genus name “Prunella” can be derived from “Bräune”, an alternative German name for diphtheria, against which it was used as a medicinal herb in the Middle Ages. Common Self-heal contains rosemary oil, which protects the skin from ultraviolet radiation.

“Prunella” is also the name of a bird genus.

• Edible Whole herb
• Culinary Group Wild vegetables
• Taste aromatic
• Trivial Names Kleine Braunelle, Gemeine Braunelle, Brünikraut, Gauchheil, Blauer Guckguck, Gunzel, Halskraut, Immergsund, Mundfäulkraut, Selbstheil, Gewöhnliche Braunelle, Common self-heal, Heal-all, Woundwort, Heart-of-the-earth, Carpenter's herb, Brownwort, Blue curls, Brunelle commune, Petite consoude, Charbonnière, Prunelle, Herbe au charpentier, Brunette
• Size 10 cm
• Taxonomy Lamiaceae (Deadnattle family) Prunella vulgaris
• Origin Eurasia: Europe, Mediterraneum, Eurasian Steppe, East-Asia (Map)
• Locality Gathered, meadow in Frankfurt am Main 2018