1 The Homeopathic Trituration Proving of Prunella Vulgaris (Self

The Homeopathic Trituration Proving of Prunella Vulgaris (Self-Heal, Heal-All, Heart-of-the-Earth)
Strengthening Identity & Restoring the Immune System: Protecting & Recognizing Self from Non-self
Written and Compiled by Sonya McLeod, BA, DCH, RCSHom
Index
About Prunella Vulgaris……………..……………………………………………………………………………………………. 2-4
Proving Information ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 4-5
Remedy Information & Summary ……………….………………………………….………………………………………… 5-8
C1-C5 Trituration Proving Notes, May 31 - June 4, 2012 .………………………………………………………….. 8-17
Trituration Journal Entries, June 5-10, 2012 …………………………………………..……………………………….. 17-18
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About Prunella Vulgaris
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladu): Eudicots
Cladus: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Subfamilia: Nepetoideae
Tribus: Mentheae
Genus: Prunella
Species: P. vulgaris
Etymology
Self-heal, Prunella vulgaris, is a member of the mint family and grows throughout Europe in woods,
pastures and clearings. This small plant made its way to North America, where early settlers called it
“Heart of the Earth.” Other common names include heal-all, all-heal, carpenter’s herb and hook-heal.
These names correspond with self-heal’s ability to heal wounds inflicted by sharp-edged tools used by
carpenters, farmers and laborers of long ago.
Cole, in Adam in Eden (1657), says: 'It is called by modern writers (for neither the ancient Greek nor
Latin writers knew it) Brunella, from Brunellen, which is a name given unto it by the Germans, because it
cureth that inflammation of the mouth which they call "die Breuen," yet the general name of it in Latin
nowadays is Prunella, as being a word of a more gentile pronunciation.'
The 17th-century botanist Nicholas Culpeper wrote that the plant is called selfheal because ‘when you
are hurt, you may heal yourself’.
Plant Description
Heal-all is a perennial that usually grows as a sprawling plant with upright flower clusters, but it can have
an erect habit when growing in undisturbed areas. Characteristics it shares with other mints include
square stems and opposite leaves. Features setting it apart include a lack of odor even if crushed, ovateoblong leaves, relatively long leaf stalks (petioles), and roots emerging at stem nodes. The most
common variety has blue-purple flowers. Flowers are produced in erect, head-like spikes that are denser
than those of most mints. Crowded among the flowers are hairy, green bracts. Plants reproduce by
seeds and creeping stems that root at the nodes. Heal-all flowers from June through September.
Relatives
Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea) also is a low-growing perennial in the mint family and it has purpleblue flowers shaped similarly to those of heal-all. Compared with heal-all, ground ivy flowers form in
much smaller clusters containing fewer than 6 flowers and its leaves are kidney-shaped rather than
oblong. Also, ground ivy stems creep over the soil surface forming a carpet-like, tangled mass. Red dead
nettle and henbit (Lamium purpureum and L. amplexicaule) are winter annuals that flower in early
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spring. Vegetative growth of red dead nettle can be distinguished from heal-all by its reddish stems and
triangular leaves. Henbit is easy to distinguish from heal-all by its upper leaves that, lacking petioles,
encircle the stem.
Distribution & Habitat
Prunella vulgaris is a perennial herb found throughout Europe, Asia, Japan and the USA. Prunella vulgaris
is found growing in waste ground, grassland, woodland edges, usually on basic and neutral soils. It
seems to grow just about everywhere.
Folklore
When little Elves have cut themselves,
Or Mouse has hurt her tail,
Or Froggies arm has come to harm,
This herb will never fail.
The Faeries skill can cure each ill
And soothe the sorest pain;
She'll bathe and bind,
and soon they'll find
That they are well again.
-Cicely Mary Barker (1895-1973)
Once proclaimed to be a holy herb and thought to be sent by God to cure all ailments of man or beast,
and said to drive away the devil, which lead to the belief that heal-all was grown in the witches’ garden
as a disguise. The root was used to make a tea to drink in ceremonies before going hunting by one
Native American tribe to sharpen the powers of observation.
History & Traditional Use
Leaves - raw or cooked. They can be used in salads, soups, stews etc. A cold water infusion of the freshly
chopped or dried and powdered leaves is used as a refreshing beverage. Also used as a dye: An olivegreen dye is obtained from the flowers and stems.
Self-heal is an extremely valued herb for curing wounds and is extensively used to impede bleeding. Selfheal became popular and gained importance when military doctors used the herb not only to cure
wounds, but also treat infectious fevers that plagued the royal German army during the period between
1547 and 1566.
In ancient times, the barbs or thorns of the self-heal flowers were thought to look like the throat. Hence,
according to the Doctrine of Signatures theory, self-heal was extensively used to cure mouth and throat
inflammations (including mouth ulcers and sore throats). In addition, the herb was also prescribed for
treating diarrhea, boils, and grave’s disease.
Seventeenth century herbalist and physician Nicholas Culpepper had observed that when applied on
open wounds, self-heal not only impedes the flow of the blood from the wounds, but also repairs the
affected area by fusing up the lips of the wounds. Culpepper also said of it, “The juice used with oil of
roses to anoint the temples is very effectual to remove the headache.” According to Gerard, a 16th
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century herbalist, there was no better medication for wounds than self-heal in the world and suggested
that when the herb is combined with water and wine, it is highly effective in treating all kinds of wounds
whether internal or external. A weak infusion of the plant is also an excellent medicinal eye wash for
sties and pinkeye.
Chinese herbal medicine practitioners use self-heal to lower the blood pressure as well as
an antibiotic. In China this herb is regarded as being very specific for the liver and gallbladder; cooling in
over-heated conditions and soothing to the eyes, which the Chinese associate with liver in traditional
theory. According to Chinese folklore medicine, P. vulgaris is still used for conditions such as infectious
hepatitis, jaundice, TB, cancer, pleuritis with effusion, and bacillary dysentery.
Scientific Research
Modern scientific studies have shown that prunella vulgaris has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. It
has promising results in the treatment of cancer, endometriosis, HIV and the herpes virus.
The whole plant is alterative, antibacterial, antipyretic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent,
carminative, diuretic, febrifuge, hypotensive, stomachic, styptic, tonic, vermifuge and vulnerary. It has
an antibacterial action, inhibiting the growth of Pseudomonas, Bacillus typhi, E. coli, Mycobacterium
tuberculi etc.
Studies confirm the plant’s usefulness in treating inflammation and allergies, bronchitis, upper
respiratory tract infections. It is hypotensive and acts as a natural antibiotic. Studies have also shown it
to lower blood sugar in diabetes.
References
http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/s/selfhe40.html
http://www.kew.org/plants-fungi/Prunella-vulgaris.htm
http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/weedguide/singlerecord.asp?id=680
http://www.altnature.com/gallery/Prunella_Vulgaris.htm
http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_self_heal.htm
http://www.pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Prunella+vulgaris
http://www.mofga.org/Publications/MaineOrganicFarmerGardener/Spring2005/SelfHeal/tabid/1229/D
efault.aspx
http://www.wildflowerinformation.org/medicinalwildflowers.asp
http://www.dewsworld.com/Fherb_Allheal_Selfheal.html
http://suite101.com/article/is-prunella-vulgaris-truly-an-all-healing-herbal-medicine-a267680
http://www.livestrong.com/article/271893-the-benefits-of-all-heal-prunella-vulgaris/
http://www.paghat.com/selfheal.html
The Trituration Proving of Prunella Vulgaris
Proving Location
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Proved by
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Sonya McLeod, BA, DCH, RCSHom
Sahara Majeed
Date
May 31 - June 4, 2012
Trituration Proving Method
The C4 trituration proving protocol used is outlined in “The Trituration Handbook: Into the Heart of
Homeopathy” by Anneke Hogeland and Judy Schriebman.
Source
Sonya’s garden, Vancouver, BC
Pharmacy
This remedy has been hand potentized up to the C5/40 level by Little Mountain Homeopathy
www.littlemountainhomeopathy.com
Remedy Information
Physical Affinities
IMMUNE SYSTEM
NERVOUS SYSTEM
THROAT/Neck
Jaw/Teeth
Joints
Abdomen
Eyes (Watery/Infected)
Nose (Coryza)
Breasts
Heart
Genitals
Head (esp. temples)
Skin
Chakra Affinities
HEART
THROAT
Sacral
Brow
Root
Solar Plexus
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Modalities
Worse
Infection (Viruses, Bacteria, Parasites, Yeast, etc.)
Abuse
Domination
Lack of loving environment during childhood
Better
Loving Oneself
Miasm
Cancer
The Mint (Lamiaceae/Labiaceae) Family
Main Theme: Over-Excitability of the Nervous System
The mint family contains many plants, and only a few of these are known homeopathic remedies; many
of which only have small provings. Sankaran says the main sensation of the mint family is “excitability.”
To be more exact, I experienced it as an over-excitability of the nervous system. You can see this overstimulation or excitability of the nervous system running through some known homeopathic remedies
such as Origanum, Thymus, Salvia, and Rosmarinus – all edible herbs, just like Prunella vulgaris. Many of
the (known) mint remedies have an affinity with the immune system esp. coughs and colds. Most
remedies in this family are also quite sexual (esp. Orig) – sexual response is connected with the nervous
system. There is also another rather well known mint family remedy, Lycopus virginicus (Bugleweed),
which is primarily a heart remedy and hyperthyroid remedy. So we could also see some of the mint
remedies having this in common as well, a hypotensive as well as a remedy for hyperthyroidism, shared
with the traditional usage of Prunella vulgaris. Again, this theme of over- or hyper-stimulation –
hypertension, hyperthyroidism, can be seen as a part of the over-excitability, which is a common theme
of the mint family.
The opposite of the mint family excitability (a less healthy person who needs this remedy) would be a
state of collapse of the nervous system, with vertigo, lack of reaction, drowsiness and insensibility.
Major Themes of Prunella Vulgaris
Weak Immunity: Poor Defenses against Infection, Viruses, Bacteria, Yeast, Parasites, etc.
This is a remedy that has traditionally been used acutely for different types of infections such as infected
wounds, fevers and various types of mouth and throat infections. This remedy could be useful for any
sort of acute infection, whether it be a wound, dysentery, eye infection or flu.
A good constitutional remedy for somebody who has a lot of susceptibility to infection. A major keynote
of this remedy: if there is no susceptibility to various types of infections, this remedy would not be
indicated constitutionally.
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Healer/Green/Love/Heart Chakra
Like Carcinosin, this remedy is for a person who is very giving and loving towards others, but needs to
practice more self-love. This remedy has an affinity for healers, caregivers, and people in other types of
helping professions. We might call these people “bleeding hearts.” Nurturers who need to nurture
themselves more. Because of its affinity for the heart, it is also a good remedy for hypertension (the
circulatory system is linked with inflammation, and therefore, to the immune system).
A Weak Sense of Self/Identity: No Clear Boundaries
Also like Carcinosin (prunella vulgaris is a scientifically proven herbal remedy for cancer) this person has
a weak sense of self. Because they lack boundaries, they have left themselves vulnerable to
infection/attack by invaders (viruses, bacteria, etc). This is what happens in many types of immune
system disorders like allergies, cancer and HIV – the immune system can no longer defend or
differentiate self from non-self. This state may stem from a lack of a loving environment in childhood,
long-term abuse and/or domination. This person’s boundaries may have been crossed during their
formative years, thus it has been hard for them to develop a clear sense or understanding of
self/boundaries.
No Clear Sense of Purpose: Finding One’s Inner Light
This seems all too common in our modern society: the need to keep striving to have or be something
better, and a constant state of dissatisfaction. They know they want something more, but they are not
clear about exactly what that might be. This remedy can help this person keep more grounded, so they
can be in the moment instead of always striving and anticipating a better future. This remedy can help
someone reach a state of contentment with where and who they are at the present moment. Once this
person’s identity starts to solidify, they can also start to find their true calling by listening to their newlyawakened instincts – they can now use their “inner light” (solar plexus) to guide them.
(Auto)Immune: Cancer, AIDS, Allergies, Coughs/Colds/Flus, Diabetes, Arthritis, Grave’s Disease,
Hypertension, Inflammatory Bowel Disorders, Herpes/Warts, etc.
Prunella vulgaris has been scientifically proven to help with immunity disorders, so when dealing with
clients with these diseases in practice, consider prunella vulgaris as a constitutional or intercurrent
remedy, to strengthen the immune system.
Wound Healing
This is a remedy for wound healing, which is what it has always been used for traditionally. Not just for
external wounds, but for internal bleeding. It can also heal emotional wounds, wounds from a dark past
(abuse and/or domination). The wounded healer – a person who wants to heal others and can
empathize with others’ wounds because they have also been hurt.
Nerve Pain
There is over-excitability of the nervous system (common to all mint remedies, see above), leading to
possible symptoms/pathologies such as hypertension or insomnia. Pain seemed concentrated in the
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neck/jaw area, the knees, and the breasts. There was also pain in the joints, so it could be a possible
remedy for rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disease.
Sensations
Sharp, prickling, tingling radiating pain (nerve pain)
Dryness/choking sensation in the throat, tickling and leading to dry cough
SRP
Bitter taste in the back of the throat/mouth
Remedy Nucleus
Heals all types of infections, acute or chronic
Poor sense of self and no boundaries
The bleeding heart: healer heal thyself
Low immunity: viruses, bacteria, parasites, cancer, HIV, etc.
Over-excitability of the nervous system (like all mint remedies)
Heal All Trituration Proving
May 31, 2012
C1
Looks very green in the bowl – healing green
Fragrant
S wants to draw pic of every past trituration we’ve done
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Feel caring/compassion
Love – loving
A wave of green
Sahara saw a whirlpool of green
Sahara saw a sick animal eating the plant and it was healed by the water, the water is green because of
healing, it’s (heal all is) a magical plant
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Sharp pain under armpit right side
Animals know about the properties of this plant
Green tinged powder
Why be a homeopath
Teeth hurt – lower jaw
Could heal a virus
Cancer cure
Survivor
Hearty – happy anywhere, open to any space (this plant)
C2
Conversation: Allopathic medicine harms
Prickling sensation in neck
Tingling face
Heal all pains
Nerves
Itchy forehead
S talks about “tingling the moshling”
Nervous system
Neck pain
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Eyes water
Hip pain right side
Love
Virus
Heals the insides
C3
Healing vibration
For healers – resonates – green
Wanting to heal others – can be pathological if taken too far
Healer’s remedy – could look like Carcinosin or Phosphorus, sympathetic
Help yourself first – but how
It all comes back to you –there are no others
The more you care for others the worst your pathology gets – Trap
Remember we all heal ourselves – nobody else can heal us – Ego
Sacrificing our own identity – it becomes suppressed, see ourselves as not as good as
Then cancer takes over – there is no individual left anymore
Warts – it’s a virus – taking over a weak person
Healing is around us, we have the ability, we just have to take the opportunity
Just pay attention – there are signs – everywhere
Every day we pass sign posts, they are everywhere, people ignore them
WAKE UP – pay attention
Oh the things you could see if you could just look around and see what’s around you
Every event in our lives, it just leads to that one moment, now, that perfect moment
That moment when your body and mind start to
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When the individual is not strong within themselves then viruses can invade
What can erode a person’s identity?
Set up in childhood when the identity is first forming – too much responsibility or abuse
Heals deep emotional wounds
Neck oscillating between feeling better and tight
Free from anger, more peaceful
Sleepy
Love yourself, and everyone else too – no room for hurt or anger
Understanding and compassion
June 1, 2012
C4
The healing power of plants – it’s great
Plants are grounded in the earth
Not grounded, always striving – cancer miasm
Cancer – can’t recognize self from non-self – no individualism
Heal-all – it’s everywhere and all-encompassing (so is cancer)
Infection
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Neck twinge (right side)
Going back to the ancient ways – grinding with mortar and pestle – more grounded
What happens during economy collapse – we will have to grow our own food and make our own
medicine
Anti GM food meeting in Richmond, attended this earlier this week, comes to mind – trying to become
more self sufficient
You have to be an idiot not to think that our whole world will not collapse, look around you, wake up
Strangely I’m thinking this without anger or fear, more detached, it’s just a fact
So what, things will change, no need to be fearful, we will be more grounded
What are we striving for anyway? Money, power? It’s all “fake,” not something tangible or real like
medicine, plants or food. Money is just paper.
Now I start to feel a bit sad, not sure why, eyes feel a bit weepy
Striving for recognition or power – it’s a trap
Trap because in the end we just want to be happy, to survive. Power doesn’t make us happy. We think it
does but it’s a fake happiness – maybe more like a smugness “I did better in life than you did”
Did you? Were you really happy? (feeling sad now)
We have to heal that ambitious part of us – that’s what’s leading to our downfall. We want power over
rather than to work together
I start thinking of the joyfulness of being united – now that really is joyous
Generosity – not because you want something in return but working together for a common goal
Could I do this without the timer? Maybe if I got the feel of it down…
Something just got a lot lighter – felt something shift
Sitting here staring at this bowl making medicines I know this is what I was meant to do, this is enough,
I’ve made it, come into myself truly. Meant to take cases, prescribe, and make medicines – not much
else to do (I guess there is the writing too teehee)
Time = Art. Yep, that resonates.
It’s when we come out of our true calling that things start to go sideways
I feel a thump in my chest as I grind, like the grinding is swirling in my chest and resonating there –
scraping, scraping my chest
Sharp pains in my abdominal region
Internal wounds – it can heal the insides
Someone who’s been wounded – who has not been?
Deep wounds
Green
I notice the GREEN towel in the bathroom (just changed it yesterday)
How to heal others – make your own medicines – and heal yourself
Aysha’s butterflies emerged today – we can transform, we all have that ability
The remedy is shining, luminescent, glowing
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Inner light – everyone has one
It’s the small acts that can change the world
Shine a light on things
Looking for the specs of dirt in the bowl…feeling fastidious
It doesn’t have to be so exact, but feeling the need for perfection
Beauty is perfection – but we all have flaws, and there is beauty in that
Could clients come in needing this remedy – yes! – it’s for the helpful sort, the bleeding heart – but
harder for them to help themselves vs. others
Just let it go
Lower teeth hurt again (sharp)
A virus infected my computer….hmmm
Suddenly got a bad taste in my mouth, bitter in the back
I keep making the lactose into a symmetrical shape - Circles and ovals
Prickle in my arm/wrist right side
Itchy behind my ears
Do what you know in your heart to be right
This remedy feels gentle, can soothe the heart
The lactose looks like an egg, perfect oval
Heartache
Just let it go
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Regaining my innocence again
C5
Pain in left temple
Crampy abdominal pain
AIDS – autoimmune – can’t recognize self from non self
Caring – over care – nurture
Sahara’s eyes water just looking at it
June 2, 2012 (C5 Continued)
Sharp twinge in heart
Knee or leg pain – Aysha, Sahara, a client (this past week)
And Aysha felt a sharp pain in her hand last night for a second
Left temple pain again, Sahara feels dizzy
Virus that invades the body and the immune system can’t fight it off – could be a parasite
The body is the host to these little critters – could be herpes too
Mmm the herb leaves taste like lettuce, good, healthy taste
Nourishes the body
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Hahnemann did over a hundred provings of remedies that were needed at the time, but cancer and
AIDS are modern diseases – not really present in his day
Heal all = modern remedy for modern diseases
Body as host for viruses – weak identity/boundaries between oneself and other organisms
Being strong within oneself
My website got a virus. A VIRUS
Viruses attack the weak
Weak defences – heal all strengthens – keeps invaders out
Ah illuminate. Inner light keeps them out
Boundaries strengthen – outside/inside
Lactose in a perfect ball/oval
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June 4, 2012
Potentizing to C5/40 level
My newest web page was about using homeopathy for AIDS (wrote it a few weeks ago). And I was also
working on, but never finished, a homeopathy for malaria post.
Twinge in my right knee
Got interrupted by a Vidatox inquiry (homeopathic cancer treatment)
Improper nourishment – not food, but also love, which nourishes the soul (thinking of Citizen Kane, we
watched it last night and though he had much money all he wanted was love. “You Must Love me” says
Kane)
Sad story, starving for love
When upbringing is too harsh or lacks love this remedy can help (right knee twinge again, sharp, ouch)
Neck twinge left side, twinge in jaw right side
June 5, 2012
Writing up the document
I should mention that about a week or so ago Aysha got a cold (maybe a little longer than that) and the
congestion is staying. Usually she does not get congestion that long. Aysha hasn’t had a severe case, but
Sahara got a cough and had to stay home last week, so I decided to do the trituration with her while she
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was home from school (there are no coincidences!). Both of them have had a lingering cough which is
unusual for them of late.
And out of nowhere right now I sneezed – seemed remedy related.
Another thing that was unusual was I caught their cold, but then the next day it was gone, usually it
lingers with me.
Bitter taste in the back of my mouth – so easy to be bitter, life can be like that, weigh you down
Still, it’s up to us to heal ourselves
I have the sensation like I could choke on my own bile, maybe it’s revulsion
Sharp pain in breast
Feeling more sexually aware/excited/stimulated (root chakra stimulated)
June 7
Can see this remedy’s similarity to diamond (Adamas). Also diamond has an affinity with viruses so they
could be complementary remedies.
June 8
In the middle of the night my throat felt so dry but went to bed well hydrated, my whole throat felt very
dry. Sensation of dryness in the throat, causing me periodically to cough.
Also last night some shooting pains in my vaginal area.
I should also mention that I have had some skin itching with minor eruption – also noticed the kids were
itching a bit more than normal, felt a bit like hives or an allergic reaction. Also mild reactivation of my
eczema on my fingers.
June 10
Yesterday watched “Alien” and I think it resonates with this remedy. The story originates with a crew
member who gets infected by one of the alien eggs – it needs a host (human) to grow – exactly like the
viruses, bacteria, parasites, etc. that need a human host to survive. Also I should mention that Usman
had a dream about aliens a few nights ago. Unfortunately most of our dreams have been
unremembered when waking.
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