Thought you might like to read this: History and Uses:Heal All,All Heal and Self Heal Prunella, a powerfully astringent herb, is also known by many names including Heal All, All Heal and Self Heal, and as most of these alternate names imply, this plant was used extensively as a healing herb, particularly when used topically to stanch the bleeding of wounds. In poultice form, it was also used to treat bruises, burns, sprains, cuts and hemorrhoids. Prunella was also used as a mouthwash for sores and gum problems, as well as a gargle for sore throat and thrush. It was also used in a douche for leukorrhea. The herb is often useful for treating liver disorders, and it has been prescribed by herbalists in cases of jaundice, hepatitis and general weakness of the liver. Prunella is beneficial for limited internal bleeding and can also be valuable in cases of diarrhea, flatulence and gastritis, as well as the expulsion of intestinal parasites. Prunella is believed to have antibacteria and strong antiviral properties; and in the treatment of Grave's disease, the herb has been effective in combination with Bugleweed. Prunella is also high in antioxidants, and it has been made into a tea with Oregano as an immune system booster.Constituents of Prunella include essential oil, Rutin, tannic acid, beta-carotene and vitamins B-1, C and K. The herb has had some success in treating vertigo, hypertension, gout and conjunctivitis. Prunella is truly one of the most versatile, safe and effective of nature's medicinal plants. Prunella Vulgaris Folklore and History: The common name "self-heal" derives from the use of some species to treat a range of minor disorders. It is reported to have an antiseptic and antibacterial effect, and to be particularly good in cases of food poisoning. In the Pacific Northwest, its juice was used by the Quinault and the Quileute on boils. They also used the whole plant to treat cuts and inflammations. Some people even fixed it with grease to form an ointment. It is also used as an herbal drink in China to treat minor bodily disorders. Prunella Vulgaris was once proclaimed to be a Holy herb and thought to be sent by God to cure all ailments of man or beast, and said to drive away the devil, which lead to the belief that Heal-All was grown in the Witches garden as a disguise. The root was used to make a tea to drink in ceremonies before going hunting by one Native American tribe to sharpened the powers of observation. Prunella Vulgaris Edible Uses: Edible Parts: Leaves. Edible Uses: Drink. Leaves - raw or cooked. They can be used in salads, soups, stews etc. Somewhat bitter due to the presence of tannin in the leaves, though this can be removed by washing the leaves. A cold water infusion of the freshly chopped or dried and powdered leaves is used as a refreshing beverage. Very tasty. Self-heal is a mint relation, and as with all the other mints, if you plant it once, you never have to plant it again. Incredibly vigorous, the plant spreads by underground stems that shoot out in every direction once the first root is stuck in the ground. If there is anything to the doctrine of signatures, prunella should make anyone who takes it into his or her body stronger than an ox. In the southern United States, ground-hog plantain, or square weed as it is called, is collected in the spring as a tonic plant. It is also eaten as a spinach substitute, prepared in a big pot with a piece of hog meat by cooks who follow the traditional southern style or with a little vegetable oil by more modern cooks concerned with the bad publicity animal fats have received in recent years. Prunella Vulgaris is an edible and medicinal herb, and can be used in salads, soups, stews, or boiled as a pot herb.Used as an alternative medicine for centuries on just about every continent in the world, and for just about every ailment known to man, Heal-All is something of a panacea, it does seem to have some medicinal uses that are constant. An olive-green dye is obtained from the flowers and stems. The plant is a good ground-cover in sunny positions or light shade.The mildly bitter leaves are also good as salad greens.

Rita, Were you getting all the cold temperatures I was getting here this winter? You will need to put up a photo and the name of the plant so I won't cut anything good down as I clear out a lot of the property. I don't have a clue on what the good natural trees are here. I've been trying to only cut down the pines and oaks to open it up a bit. I have removed a lot of the underbrush, but I'm sure some of it may have been good to leave. I could start you some fruit trees if you like. (free) That way you could check if your area critters would let it grow and fruit without you having to spend the big money for the trees. When I do my tree pruning each year, I just hate wasting all that good grafting scion.(the twigs I toss out) Lou

Well I grow purple loosestrife - after a fashion. I have a swamp. It grows in the swamp. It was in the swamp when we bought the house, and since it really hasn't spread much at all, it's fairly low on the to-do-list to do anything about. The Amur honeysuckle, garlic mustard, and multiflora are all much higher up than the loosestrife. Actually, watching the purple loosestrife over the years has left me with the distinct impression that it really doesn't stand a chance against the more aggressive swamp dwellers.

Hey Eva, I haven't seen you on here for a while. Hope everything is going well for you all, and I hope you will be able to make it to the spring swap. We're still trying to get things together (it's been a challenge this year), but the date is firm. The spring swap will be at New Harvest Park on Saturday, May 28. Setup will be at 9:30am, swapping will begin at 10:00am, lunch will be at 11:30am, and a presentation will be at 12:00 (all times subject to change). We got quite a few seed catalogs this year. If you don't order regularly, you may have to re-ask.