All posts tagged woundwort

Sanicle has excellent medicinal qualities

Sanicle: A Common Herb With Excellent Medicinal Qualities

Sanicle, botanically known as sanicula marilandica, is a herbaceous, flowering plant. It is native to British Columbia and the northwestern region of the US. The plant also goes by other names such as pool root, wood sanicle, and black snakeroot. It thrives in well-watered areas with rich soil and preferably under shade.

[Note: The Right Flowers is not a medical site. Knowledge of and information about the therapeutic benefits and applications of flowers, while known through the ages, does not constitute medical advice. If you are having health issues, you should consult with a physician.]

Sanicle, just like prunella vulgaris, (woundwort) is known as self-heal due to its ability to resolve a wide variety of health problems. Most of the time, only the aerial parts of the plant – flowers, leaves, and stems – are used for medicinal purposes as they contain anti-fungal, alterative, anti-viral, depurative, astringent, and antioxidant properties.

Sanicle’s health benefits include:

Treating and healing wounds
Sanicle has been used for generations to treat cuts, bruises, and wounds. The herb is known to contain compounds that reduce inflammation, fight infections and speed up healing. In addition, extracts from this herb assist in wound contraction and collagen maturation.

Resolves internal health problems
Sanicle contains compounds with anti-hemorrhagic qualities. These help in stopping and stanching excess internal bleeding which makes it handy for resolving hemorrhages in the gastrointestinal tract and the respiratory system. It is also ideal for reducing menstrual bleeding, treating hemorrhoids and curing fevers.

Enhancing the immune system and detoxifying blood
Toxins are poisonous compounds within organisms or living cells. Some of these poisonous substances occur in the human body as a result of metabolism and other factors. With time, these toxins accumulate in the body and can overwhelm the body’s defenses resulting in many chronic conditions.

Since sanicle has antioxidative and detoxifying properties, it is ideal for protecting the body against the effects of free radicals which cause inflammations. In addition, it helps the body to get rid of toxins through detoxification.

Expectorant
Sanicle contains expectorant properties which make it handy for resolving congestion and other problems affecting the respiratory system. It has a soothing action on the respiratory system and thins mucus to help the body get rid of it.

Anti-cancer
Sanicle has been used to shrink cancerous tumors for years. Its anti-oxidant effects appear to be the compounds responsible for shrinking and destroying tumor cells. However, more research is required to find out the full effects of this herb in the fight against cancer and the different types of tumors it can resolve.

With all the benefits outlined above, it is easy to see why sanicle is considered a gift of nature to mankind. So, how about having this herb growing in your backyard?

Heal-all, botanically known as prunella vulgaris

Heal-all: A Potential Cure For HIV?

Heal-all, self-heal, woundwort, botanically known as prunella vulgaris is a flowering herb native to Britain but now grows in most parts of the world. The plant thrives in open spaces and among short grass on waste ground.

[Note: The Right Flowers is not a medical site. Knowledge of and
information about the therapeutic benefits and applications of
flowers, while known through the ages, does not constitute medical
advice. If you are having health issues, you should consult with a
physician.]

The plant brings forth closely-knit purple flower heads from June to September. Since the herb grows close to the ground, its flowers are often spread over a wide area forming a beautiful carpet. The blossoms are arranged around spikes and rarely open at the same time.

While all parts of woundwort have been used for generations as a medicinal plant, its leaves and flowers are usually the parts used in supplements and for medicinal purposes. The plant was identified as an herbal remedy by Dioscorides, the renowned Greek physician who recommended it for treating tonsils and throat inflammations.

Today, scientists are busy exploring the possibilities of woundwort alleviating some of the most troublesome infections in the world. Studies have shown that self-heal holds the potential of treating HIV. According to these studies, the plant contains compounds that are active against viral infections, especially HIV. A particular study focused on a sulfated polysaccharide known as prunellin and found that this naturally-occurring compound in prunella vulgaris inhibited HIV-1 reproduction in-vitro. It was also shown to stop transmission of the virus in cells without causing adverse effects.

In addition, the plant is known as the following health benefits:

Management of diabetes
Prunella vulgaris is known to contain compounds that help in managing diabetes. According to studies conducted using rodents, researchers found that the plant contains chemicals with the ability to inhibit enzymes that metabolize carbohydrates in the body. This leads to a reduction of blood sugar levels and better control of diabetes.

Possible treatment of herpes
Prunella vulgaris has been cited as a potential treatment of herpes simplex virus. This viral condition is characterized by contagious blisters around the genitals or mouth. According to studies, the plant contains compounds that block the reproduction of HSV cells, which effectively stops the development of the condition.

Apart from blocking the reproduction of the HSV virus, heal-all is also effective in fighting against herpes by activating cells in the immune system such as macrophages which assist your body to fight against the infection.

Anticancer
Heal-all shows a lot of potential in inducing the death of cancer cells. According to studies conducted in test tubes, the plant contains rosmarini acid, caffeic acid and other chemicals which act as antioxidants and help in protecting against cell damage caused by reactive substances known as free radicals. These molecules are linked to cancer development.

One specific study in human liver cancer cells showed that heal-all inhibited the proliferation of cancer by stopping the production of enzymes that promote the growth of cancer cells.

Though not a very popular herb, this is one of the few plants that hold a lot of promise in alleviating many diseases and conditions plaguing humanity.

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