Key Constituents

Triterpenoids and phenolic acids^[1]

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^{[2, 3, 4]}

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

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory^{[1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8]}

Antimicrobial^{[1, 5, 6, 7]}

Antioxidant^{[1, 5, 6, 7]}

Antiviral^{[2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9]}

Immunomodulator / immune support^{[2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]}

Vulnerary (wound healing)^{[1, 5, 6, 7]}

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain^{[1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8]}Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →

Bruising^{[1, 5, 6, 7]}Traditional · 2/10

inferred from vulnerary action

more plants for bruising →detailed sources →

Cold & flu^{[2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9]}Traditional · 2/10

inferred from antiviral action

more plants for cold & flu →detailed sources →

Immune support^{[2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]}Traditional · 2/10

more plants for immune support →detailed sources →

Infection (general)^{[1, 5, 6, 7]}Traditional · 2/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

more plants for infection (general) →detailed sources →

Inflammation (general)^{[1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8]}Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →

Skin irritation^{[1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8]}Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →

Wounds^{[1, 5, 6, 7]}Traditional · 2/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

more plants for wounds →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^{[5, 6, 7]}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^{[5, 6, 7]}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).

References & Sources

Mir, R.H., Bhat, M.F., Sawhney, G., Kumar, P., Andrabi, N.I., Shaikh, M., Mohi-Ud-Din, R. and Masoodi, M.H (2022) 'Prunella vulgaris L.: Critical Pharmacological, Expository Traditional Uses and Extensive Phytochemistry: A Review', Current Drug Discovery Technologies, 19(1). doi:10.2174/1570163818666210203181542 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.2174/1570163818666210203181542
Zhong, X., Zhang, Y., Yuan, M., Xu, L., Luo, X., Wu, R., Xi, Z., Li, Y. and Xu, H (2024) 'Prunella vulgaris polysaccharide inhibits herpes simplex virus infection by blocking TLR-mediated NF-kB activation', Chinese Medicine, 19(1). doi:10.1186/s13020-023-00865-y Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13020-023-00865-y
Zhang, Q., Li, Y., Zhong, X., Fu, W., Luo, X., Feng, J., Yuan, M., Xiao, L. and Xu, H (2021) 'Polyphenolic-protein-polysaccharide conjugates from Spica of Prunella vulgaris: Chemical profile and anti-herpes simplex virus activities', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.11.200 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.11.200
Ma, F.W., Kong, S.Y., Tan, H.S., Wu, R., Xia, B., Zhou, Y. and Xu, H.X (2016) 'Structural characterization and antiviral effect of a novel polysaccharide PSP-2B from Prunellae Spica', Carbohydrate Polymers, pp. 699--709. doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2016.07.062 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2016.07.062
Grieve, M (1931) 'A Modern Herbal'. Traditional / reference
Find this source
Psotova, J. et al (2003) 'Biological activities of Prunella vulgaris extract', 17(9), pp. 1082--1087. Preclinical
Find this source
Yang, Y.Q. et al (2007) 'Antiviral activity of aqueous extract of Prunella vulgaris L', 73(3), pp. 157--162. Traditional / reference
Find this source
Haarberg, K.M.K., Wymore Brand, M.J., Overstreet, A.M.C., Hauck, C.C., Murphy, P.A., Hostetter, J.M., Ramer-Tait, A.E. and Wannemuehler, M.J (2015) 'Orally administered extract from Prunella vulgaris attenuates spontaneous colitis in mdr1a(-/-) mice', World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 6(4), pp. 223--237. doi:10.4292/wjgpt.v6.i4.223 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.4292/wjgpt.v6.i4.223
Zhang, Y.B., Xu, L., Yuan, M., Liu, M.F., Li, Y., Zhong, X.L., Lin, Z.X., Xian, Y.F., Lu, P., Xi, Z.C. and Xu, H.X (2025) 'Protective effects of Prunella vulgaris polysaccharides against herpes simplex virus type 1 infection through the STING-TBK1-IRF3 pathway', Journal of Integrative Medicine, 24(3), pp. 454--465. doi:10.1016/j.joim.2025.12.008 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joim.2025.12.008

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