The City Veg Patch: Prunella
As soon as once more, Prunella vulgaris, aka Self Heal, has returned to the veg patch with renewed vigour. It is a perennial, an enthusiastic self-seeder, low rising, edible, medicinal and a meals supply for bees. Sounds good, sure?Picture through Google Artistic Commons licence from Wallpaper FlareI sowed seeds for this about ten years in the past due to its attraction to bees and different pollinators and since then it has sporadically re-appeared through the years to fill cracks within the brick paths. Initially I used to be drawn to the look of the flowers and their attraction to pollinators. Its flower stems ought to attain a top of a minimum of six inches however, within the drought situations of my veg patch, flowers remained tucked among the many leaves and it appeared extra like a weed between the paths. A couple of had been left to make the paths look inhabited however most had been dug out of the borders.Extra just lately I’ve needed to reevaluate my opinion of this plant as I’ve found what a helpful herb that is – each medicinal and edible. Like so many herbs, they don’t seem to be simply tasty however have hidden advantages (see my put up on Immuni-tea!). I’ve not but tasted Prunella however will bear in mind to attempt just a few of its leaves in my salad in future … though allowing for that the leaves are greatest picked in spring or early summer season. (So late July is presumably a bit late within the season for first tastes.) Prunella has a typical identify of Selfheal or Heal All. It is antibacterial, antiviral, edible and a helpful summer season herb for bites and stings when made right into a decoction, ie, steeped in boiling water. I have been nibbled a number of occasions on this scorching climate in order that’s positively good to know! One other of Prunella’s people names is Carpenter’s Herb, so referred to as for its effectiveness in therapeutic cuts; this makes it an excellent herb for me in my gardening work as I am usually nicked by rose thorns and pyracantha! In the event you just like the sound of this convenient herb, extra will be realized about it right here and seeds purchased from Jekka’s Herbs. I, for one, will certainly be resowing extra Prunella subsequent spring or trying to propagate just a few vegetation by division.
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As soon as once more, Prunella vulgaris, aka Self Heal, has returned to the veg patch with renewed vigour. It is a perennial, an enthusiastic self-seeder, low rising, edible, medicinal and a meals supply for bees. Sounds good, sure?Picture through Google Artistic Commons licence from Wallpaper FlareI sowed seeds for…