Selfheal

Selfheal is a hardy plant that grows throughout the UK and belongs to the same family as mint and lavender, Lamiaceae. It grows well in rich soils and is extremely versatile with regard to the amount of available sunlight. It produces purple flowers that can be quite spectacular in borders. 

Selfheal is particularly attractive to bees, which unlike other insects are able to reach the nectar and to fertilise the plant. Selfheal is edible, and not surprisingly has been used in medicine for many years. It has been used to treat skin ailments, wounds, digestive issues and to boost overall health. 

Selfheal spreads by both seed and creeping runners and can quickly take over and smother areas of grass. It is low growing and able to withstand close mowing. As with other weeds, regular feeding of the lawn along with aeration and scarification will promote healthy, dense grass and help control selfheal. Selfheal can also be removed by hand, ensuring that the whole root is removed to prevent regeneration.