Lance Self Heal

With a common name like this, I had to learn more about Lance Self Heal (Prunella vulgaris). It turns out the common name is well-deserved, as this native member of the Mint family is edible and is used for a variety of medicinal purposes! It's also called Heal All.

According to the USDA Plant Database, Self-Heal grows in every state. Their page goes on to say that it was used medicinally by many North American tribes, giving rise to the common names used today. The Quileute, Quinault, and Coast Salish in the Pacific Northwest rubbed the juice from the plant on boils to heal them. The Delaware, Mohegan and Iroquois made a drink or body wash of plant tops to reduce fevers. The Nuxalk boiled the entire plant to make a weak tea that was taken for the heart. Studies have shown that P. vulgaris has antibiotic properties, lowers blood pressure, and contains a compound (ursolic acid) that is believed to increase urination and fight tumors. It is still used as a medicinal herb today, but plants are known to concentrate lead compounds and other pollutants, so they should not be gathered from roadsides.

It can be used as an ornamental ground cover and mowed like grass! The odd looking flowers grow from a thick crown about one inch tall, as seen below. I've seen these plants growing in almost every local park this year. These were spotted at the Cooper Mountain Nature Park. 7/16/2013.