Prunella Pulgaris (Self-Heal also Heal-All) is a common grass that you have probably seen in your walks and most likely in your own garden. What you may not know is that it is a potent antimicrobial; it does not allow viruses to reproduce and has been proven to be highly effective in viral infections and cold sores. An infusion of the leaves and flowers works wonders in tonsil infections and peritonsillar phlegmons.  In TCM, Xia Ku Cao (Prunella Vulgaris) is used to soften hardened boils. 

The  balm is amazing to topically treat lip cold sores (Oral Herpes) as it inhibits the growth and further expansion of the virus (HSV – 1 or oral herpes). It can also be used to treat infection by genital herpes (HSV – 2). The ingredients of the balm are leaves and flowers of Prunella Vulgaris foraged by the cliffs in my back yard macerated in organic olive oil from the crops of a Galician family and bee’s wax from the local beekeeper. If you suffer from lip cold sores you know that it is a dormant condition that reappears when there are changes in your immune system, when your period is due, when exposed to sun, wind or cold or when you go through a period of stress. This balm can be used as a normal hydration balm (olive oil and bee wax are excellent for this) as prevention if you know you will be exposed to the triggers, and it can also be used on the actual sores to get rid of them. 

How to make rememdies with Prunella Vulgaris

• To treat tonsil infections and mouth and throat phlegmons make an infusion with the leaves and flowers and gargle softy three times a day
• To treat boils and cysts make a poultice with the leaves and flowers and apply it over the area to treat. Mash the leaves and flowers with a bit of hot water and honey until you get a paste. Apply this warm mixture over the boil. Cover it with some cotton fabric and change three times daily.
• To make an infused oil or tincture to take internally place the flowers and leaves in a mason jar. Fill the mason jar with fresh plant and add the medium (add olive oil if you are making an oil or Moonshine spirit or Vodka which is 80-100% proof if you are making a tincture). Let the plant macerate in the medium at a sunny spot for 40 days to make the oil or 15 days to make the tincture. After this strain the liquid and store in a jar in a cool dark place. The oil shelving life is about two years and the tincture can last 7 years. Take 30 droplets orally three times daily.
• To make a salve you simply need to use something that will thicken the macerated oil so that you can apply it onto your skin and lips. Heat the macerated oil in a small jar on a double boiler or bain-marie making sure that the oil does not reach temperatures over 40ºC (the oil’s healing properties will be destroyed) and add 10% beeswax or 50% agar-agar. When the wax or the agar-agar have dissolved let the oil cool naturally. The mixture will thicken and you will have a salve ready to use.
• There are no known side effects, toxicity or contraindications with the use of prunella. It has been shown safe in large doses up to 30 g/day, although oral doses tend to be prescribed at anywhere from 6-15 g/day. Individuals on blood thinners may want to exercise extra caution when also using Prunella, as it also has anti-coagulant properties.

If you would like to try the balm I make please follow this link: https://thegreenwitchharvest.etsy.com/listing/1702751613