Plant Comparison

Selfheal vs Wood Betony

A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.

First plant
Second plant
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Plant ASelfhealPrunella vulgarisLamiaceaeFull monograph →
Plant BWood BetonyStachys officinalisLamiaceaeFull monograph →

At a glance

Selfheal and Wood Betony: both belong to the Lamiaceae family; they share 3 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, inflammation (general), skin irritation); 2 pharmacological actions in common.

SelfhealWood Betony
Constituents23
Pharmacological actions105
Indicated uses1211
Safety notes22
Cited sources3713
Indicated uses
Only Selfheal
BruisingCold & fluImmune supportInfection (general)WoundsCancer (anticancer research)Blood sugar / diabetes supportCardiovascular / heart healthCognitive function
Shared (3)
Arthritis / joint painInflammation (general)Skin irritation
Only Wood Betony
AnxietyBloatingHeadacheIndigestionMenstrual crampsMuscle spasmNervous tensionStress
Pharmacological actions
Only Selfheal
AntimicrobialAntiviralImmunomodulator / immune supportVulnerary (wound healing)Anticancer (preclinical)Neuroprotective / cognition supportHepatoprotective (liver support)Antidiabetic (blood-sugar lowering)
Shared (2)
Anti-inflammatoryAntioxidant
Only Wood Betony
AntispasmodicAnxiolytic / calmingDigestive aid

Evidence face-off — shared uses

ConditionSelfhealWood BetonyVerdict
Arthritis / joint pain2/101/10Comparable evidence
Inflammation (general)2/102/10Comparable evidence
Skin irritation2/101/10Comparable evidence

Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.

Key Constituents

Triterpenoids and phenolic acids[1, 3]

Pentacyclic triterpenoids (ursolic, oleanolic and betulinic acids), the phenolic acid rosmarinic acid, coumarins (umbelliferone, scopoletin, esculetin) and the flavonoid luteolin are the main bioactives behind self-heal's antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity.

Rosmarinic acidPhenolic acidsCoumarinsFlavonoidsLuteolin
Sulphated and polyphenol-conjugated polysaccharides[4, 29, 30, 31]

Water-extracted polysaccharides — including a partially sulphated arabinogalactomannan (PSP-2B) and polyphenolic-protein-polysaccharide conjugates (PVG/PVE30) — are the principal antiviral and immunomodulatory constituents, blocking herpes simplex virus attachment and modulating innate immune signalling.

PolysaccharidesPhenolic compounds
Phenylethanoid and iridoid glycosides (acteoside, harpagide, harpagoside, aucubin, betonyosides)[9, 10, 11]

Anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic constituents.

Iridoid glycosidesHarpagosideGlycosidesVerbascoside (acteoside)
Alkaloids (stachydrine, betaine)[11]

Characteristic nitrogen-containing constituents.

Alkaloids
Phenolic acids (rosmarinic, caffeic, chlorogenic), tannins and volatile oil[2, 3, 4, 7, 11, 12]

Antioxidant, astringent and aromatic constituents; methanolic extract of the herb showed strong free-radical-scavenging and lipid-peroxidation-inhibiting activity in vitro.

Phenolic acidsEssential (volatile) oilChlorogenic acidRosmarinic acidCaffeic acidTannins

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory[1, 2, 3, 4, 12, 15, 18, 20, 26, 27, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35]
Antimicrobial[1, 3, 32, 33, 34]
Antioxidant[1, 2, 5, 9, 12, 17, 32, 33, 34]
Antiviral[2, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36]
Immunomodulator / immune support[4, 5, 9, 10, 15, 23, 26, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36]
Vulnerary (wound healing)[1, 27, 32, 33, 34]
Anticancer (preclinical)[6, 7, 10, 13, 14, 16, 21, 22, 28]
Neuroprotective / cognition support[11, 25]
Hepatoprotective (liver support)[12, 16, 17]
Antidiabetic (blood-sugar lowering)[19, 20, 24]
Anti-inflammatory[9, 11]

Anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic

Antioxidant[1, 2, 5, 8, 12]

Antioxidant - among the strongest free-radical scavengers in a comparative study of Lamiaceae herbs

Antispasmodic[11]

Anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic

Anxiolytic / calming[11, 13]

Gentle calmative for anxiety; Nervine / relaxant for nervous tension and tension headaches (especially headache worsened by anxiety or muscle tension)

Digestive aid[11]

Digestive bitter for indigestion, mild stomach upset and bloating

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain[1, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 2
Label: Arthritis / joint pain
Bruising[1, 32, 33, 34]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from vulnerary action

Evidence: 2
Label: Bruising
Cold & flu[29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from antiviral action

Evidence: 2
Label: Cold & flu
Immune support[10, 15, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36]Traditional · 2/10
Evidence: 2
Label: Immune support
Infection (general)[1, 32, 33, 34]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 2
Label: Infection (general)
Inflammation (general)[1, 12, 15, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 2
Label: Inflammation (general)
Skin irritation[1, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 2
Label: Skin irritation
Wounds[1, 27, 32, 33, 34]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 2
Label: Wounds
Cancer (anticancer research)[6, 7, 10, 13, 14, 16, 21, 22, 28]Good · 7/10

inferred from anticancer action

Evidence: 7
Label: Cancer (anticancer research)
Blood sugar / diabetes support[19, 20, 24]Traditional · 2/10
Evidence: 2
Label: Blood sugar / diabetes support
Cardiovascular / heart health[18, 19]Traditional · 2/10
Evidence: 2
Label: Cardiovascular / heart health
Cognitive function[25]Traditional · 2/10
Evidence: 2
Label: Cognitive function
Anxiety[11, 13]Traditional · 1/10

Gentle calmative for anxiety; Nervine / relaxant for nervous tension and tension headaches (especially headache worsened by anxiety or muscle tension)

Evidence: 1
Label: Anxiety
Arthritis / joint pain[11]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1
Label: Arthritis / joint pain
Bloating[11]Traditional · 1/10

Digestive bitter for indigestion, mild stomach upset and bloating

Evidence: 1
Label: Bloating
Headache[11, 13]Traditional · 1/10

Nervine / relaxant for nervous tension and tension headaches (especially headache worsened by anxiety or muscle tension)

Evidence: 1
Label: Headache
Indigestion[11]Traditional · 1/10

Digestive bitter for indigestion, mild stomach upset and bloating

Evidence: 1
Label: Indigestion
Inflammation (general)[9, 11]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 2
Label: Inflammation (general)
Menstrual cramps[11]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from antispasmodic action

Evidence: 1
Label: Menstrual cramps
Muscle spasm[11]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from antispasmodic action

Evidence: 1
Label: Muscle spasm
Nervous tension[11, 13]Traditional · 1/10

Nervine / relaxant for nervous tension and tension headaches (especially headache worsened by anxiety or muscle tension)

Evidence: 1
Label: Nervous tension
Skin irritation[11]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1
Label: Skin irritation
Stress[11, 13]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anxiolytic action

Evidence: 1
Label: Stress

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note[32, 33, 34]Caution

Generally very safe and well tolerated. No significant known toxicity or drug interactions. Safe for topical and internal use in normal medicinal doses. Suitable for most adults including children in appropriate doses.

Safety note[32, 33, 34, 37]Info

Duke (2002) rates self-heal as +++ and notes antioxidant (score 2), anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and COX-2 inhibitory activities. The plant contains luteolin, rosmarinic acid, and hyperoside — all with well-documented bioactivities. Hepatoprotective activity has been experimentally demonstrated. Duke notes that self-heal has a broad antimicrobial spectrum and an impressive antioxidant profile, supporting its traditional reputation as a versatile wound-healing herb. No significant safety concerns at normal herbal doses (Duke, 2002).

Safety note[11]Info

Generally well tolerated, with occasional mild nausea the main reported effect.

Safety note[11, 13]Caution

Traditionally avoided in pregnancy (uterine reputation), and it may lower blood pressure - use caution with blood-pressure medicines.

External Ids

Gbif: 5341297
Wikidata: Q158469
Gbif: 7777194
Wikidata: Q157297

Botanical Description

Low, creeping to semi-erect perennial herb (Lamiaceae), 5-30 cm tall, with square, often purplish stems. Leaves are opposite, ovate with slightly toothed margins. Small, two-lipped, violet-purple flowers are densely packed into a compact, club-shaped terminal spike subtended by purplish bracts.[1]

Height: 5-30 cm
Habit: Low, creeping to semi-erect perennial herb
Leaves: Opposite, ovate, slightly toothed
Flowers: Small, two-lipped, violet-purple, in a compact club-shaped terminal spike
Stem: Square, often purplish
Root: Fibrous, spreading perennial rootstock
Fruit: Four small nutlets (typical Lamiaceae schizocarp)
Flowering Period: June-September

Perennial herb (Lamiaceae), 30-60 cm tall, with square, mostly unbranched, hairy stems. Leaves are mostly basal, oblong to heart-shaped, toothed and wrinkled. Small, reddish-purple, two-lipped flowers are borne in a dense, interrupted terminal spike.[11]

Height: 30-60 cm
Habit: Erect perennial herb
Leaves: Mostly basal, oblong to heart-shaped, toothed, wrinkled
Flowers: Small, reddish-purple, two-lipped, in a dense interrupted terminal spike
Stem: Square, mostly unbranched, hairy
Root: Fibrous perennial rootstock
Fruit: Four small nutlets (typical Lamiaceae schizocarp)
Flowering Period: June-September

Habitat

Native throughout Europe, Asia and North America (circumboreal), extremely common in lawns, meadows, woodland clearings, roadsides and waste ground, tolerating mowing and a wide range of soils.[1]

Native to Europe, growing in open woodland, grassland, hedgebanks and heathland on well-drained, often slightly acidic soils.[11]

Harvesting

Whole flowering aerial parts (flower, leaf and stem) are cut during flowering (summer) and dried.[1]

Parts: Flower, Leaf, Stem
Season: Summer, during flowering

Aerial flowering parts are cut during flowering (summer) and dried.[11]

Parts: Aerial parts (flowering herb)
Season: Summer, during flowering

Traditional Uses

Selfheal has an extremely broad folk-medicine reputation across European, North American and Traditional Chinese Medicine traditions - as its name suggests, used as an all-purpose wound herb, gargle for sore throat, and internal remedy for fevers and inflammation. Modern research on its triterpenoid, phenolic and polysaccharide constituents supports wide-ranging antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antiviral activity.[1]

Wood betony has an ancient European reputation - praised in Anglo-Saxon and medieval herbals as a cure-all, giving rise to the saying 'sell your coat and buy betony' - as a gentle nervine for headache, anxiety and nervous tension, and as a digestive bitter. Modern phytochemical studies confirm it is among the strongest antioxidants of the Lamiaceae family, alongside anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic constituents.[11, 13]

Preparations

Infusion (tea)[1]

Dried aerial parts steeped in hot water, taken internally or used as a gargle or wash.

Infusion (tea)[11]

Dried aerial parts steeped in hot water - the classic calming and digestive preparation.

Dosage

Infusion (tea)[1]

Traditional guidance suggests roughly 2-4 g dried herb per cup as an infusion, up to three times daily, or an equivalent tincture; used topically as a wash or gargle at similar strength. Educational reference only, not a prescription.

Infusion (tea)[11, 13]

Traditional guidance suggests roughly 1-2 g dried herb per cup as an infusion, up to three times daily. Educational reference only, not a prescription; use caution alongside blood-pressure medicines and avoid in pregnancy.

References

REF-0659, REF-2422, REF-2423, REF-2424, REF-2425, REF-2878, REF-2879, REF-2880, REF-2881, REF-2882, REF-2883, REF-2884, REF-2885, REF-2886, REF-2887, REF-2888, REF-2911, REF-2912, REF-2913, REF-2914, REF-2915, REF-2916, REF-2917, REF-2918, REF-2919, REF-2920, REF-2921, REF-2922
REF-1055, REF-1056, REF-1057, REF-1058, REF-1059, REF-1042, REF-1060, REF-1061, REF-1062, REF-1063

Lookalikes Review

Outcome: none-known
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07
Outcome: none-known
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07

References & Sources

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Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.