Self Heal for health

I love Self heal as a flower essence, and this simple, easy to find and identify Tonic herb in the mint family has a long history of herbal use in Native, Western and traditional Chinese medicine. Its gentle healing properties and general safety are backed up by current research. 

This YouTube clip by Herbal Jedi gives a great overview on how to identify, harvest and use this mint relative, Prunella vulgaris, (Western native variety: lanceolata)

* antioxidant and adaptogen

* soothes and aids digestion

* stabilizes blood sugar

* skin: cuts, wounds (staunches blood), bruises, inflammation, sunburn

* mouth sores, sore throat

* calms allergy response - use with nettles in spring pesto or tea (with Reishi, skullcap, etc)

* supports lymphatic health

* reduces arteriosclerosis

* liver and kidney support and detoxification

*enhances protein metabolism

* antiviral - biofilm disrupter like elderberry

* immune support in cancer treatment (natural or medical model)

Self heal's flowers are popular with a wide variety of insects, butterflies, skippers, bumble bees, native bees, and their low growth makes them audible for inclusion in an eco lawn that is occasionally mowed.

August Planting - through the Lions Gate

 Last summer I picked up a couple of damaged wading pools from Hopscotch toy store (for a donation) with the thought of making a couple of beds. While my soil is good clay, our dry summers and the shade in my overgrown yard make it challenging for some pants ... And my daughter has a BIG garden!

This spring while Kayleen and I cut back blackberries on one side, I noticed that area receives good sun, and moved one of the pools into place in June! I have been enjoying no-dig and container gardening videos, and used ideas from both. The soil is a mix from other areas, my compost, and from various pots. 

I got a Taro and Chinese yam from my friend Melissa Van Hevlingen, and had two tomatoes and a garden marigold from the Farmers Market, which I put in back of the empty pots.

Seeds included red Orach, spicy lettuce, Asian greens and Mesculin mixes, Okra, New Zealand spinach, chiogga beet, Kuroda carrot, and Pattypan squash. Borage, tomatillos and purslane volunteered in the surrounding soil and in the pots. ... And an avocado sprouted (from the compost!) The purple tulle provides a bit of shade for the Taro

I began working on the second pool this week, (note Percy kitty, enjoying the shade!) I cleared the brush, tied back the spearmint and vitex - which the bees love! 

I filled the bottom of this pool with the dried blackberry brambles, and the same soil and compost combo, topped with a bit of potting soul, and planted many of the same veggies, with the addition of lemon cukes, a round zucchini, endive and radiccio, sets from my topset leek, and a mix of flower seeds in the center for the pollinators.

I put a plant cage in for the peas that are soaking, and will plant beans as well ... Added a clump of garlic chives and baby Mullein, and covered the lot with tulle to deter the kitties! 

I sprinkled fresh seed from my Good King Henry, and hope some sprout to share. My plant is over a decade old, and going strong!