Prunella vulgaris

[from the old “Jo Journey” – July 19th, 2023] I use this herb more than any other, in part because of its immunity-boosting properties, but also because it grows abundantly where I live and is easy to identify, harvest, store, and use. Prunella vulgaris is called “heal-all” because it has been used for so long to help so many different ailments. As mentioned, I use it because it boosts the immune system and also has nutritive value. I add a pinch of my dried, self-harvested Prunella to almost every tea bag I make. My Mate even knows it as “that plant we add to every tea”. :wink: I harvest Prunella when it is in flower, gathering the above-ground parts from select locations around the property. Sometimes it is ready earlier than mid-July, but this has been a rainy year (2023), and the Prunella here are just beginning their lengthy flowering season. I have harvested them from our yard here in eastern Michigan as late as mid-October. The fact that it blooms right here on the property where I live — for three whole months or more — makes it easy for me to gather enough for the whole year, using the bulk of it in the winter months when we drink tea EVERY day. :D After I finish gathering Prunella, I remove the softer parts from the toughest main stems, and set them out to dry for several days. You CAN use the main stems, but I remove them simply because I have plenty dried herb without them.