Organically grown at KoruKai Herb Farm, New Zealand, without the use of pesticides, herbicides, or other agrochemicals.
Woundwort is a hardy perennial woodland herb from the mint family with a long and respected history in European herbal medicine. Its common name reflects its traditional role as one of the classic herbs for treating cuts, bruises, and wounds. With its lush green foliage and elegant spikes of deep purple flowers, it is both a valuable medicinal plant and an excellent addition to woodland gardens, food forests, and pollinator plantings.
Flowering from early to mid-summer, Woundwort is a rich nectar source for honeybees, bumblebees, and many other beneficial insects, making it a wonderful biodiversity plant.
You will get 3 dormant plants with growing tips (see image below).
Medicinal Uses*
Woundwort has been valued for centuries as a traditional first-aid herb. Fresh leaves were commonly applied as poultices to cuts, grazes, bruises, and minor wounds to help stop bleeding and support the body's natural healing process. The renowned seventeenth-century herbalists Nicholas Culpeper and John Gerard both praised the herb. Culpeper described Woundwort as "inferior to none" for treating wounds and injuries, while Gerard regarded it as one of the finest herbs available for healing damaged tissues.
Traditionally, Woundwort has also been used internally as a gentle nervine, helping to calm nervous tension, ease muscle spasms, and promote relaxation. Herbal ointments prepared from the leaves have long been used to soothe aching muscles and joints.
A traditional tea made from the flowers was said to "make the heart merry, give a good colour to the face, and refresh the vital spirits," reflecting its long-standing reputation as a restorative herb.
The young leaves and flowers are also edible and make an excellent addition to salads, bringing both flavour and beauty to the plate.
Growing Instructions
Woundwort is an exceptionally easy and rewarding perennial to grow. It thrives in partial shade through to full sun, preferring fertile, moisture-retentive soil enriched with plenty of compost and organic matter. It performs particularly well in woodland gardens, along stream edges, beneath deciduous trees, or in other areas where the soil remains reasonably moist throughout summer.
Before planting, prepare the site by incorporating compost into the soil and applying a generous layer of mulch. Autumn is an ideal time to prepare the planting area before winter planting.
Your order includes three dormant rhizomes with healthy growing shoots.
Plant into loose, well-drained loam in a sheltered position. Gently scrape away approximately 3 cm of soil and lay the roots horizontally, ensuring that any visible growing tips face upward. Cover with 3–5 cm of soil and finish with a light mulch of woodchips, straw, or autumn leaves. Mark the planting position carefully. Newly planted roots can occasionally attract curious birds, so placing a few branches over the area or covering it with bird netting will help prevent disturbance while the plants establish.
If you cannot plant immediately, or if the ground is frozen, pot the roots into moist, compost-rich potting mix and keep them lightly watered until conditions allow planting outdoors. Follow the same shallow planting method when transplanting.
New shoots usually emerge between September and November, depending on your local climate and soil temperature.
Once established, Woundwort spreads steadily through underground rhizomes, forming an attractive carpet of living roots within a few years. In consistently damp soils it can spread enthusiastically, making an excellent living groundcover. Where space is limited, it can also be grown successfully in large containers.
Harvesting
Harvest Woundwort during the early stages of flowering, when its aromatic and medicinal qualities are at their peak.
At KoruKai Herb Farm, we harvest in the cool of the morning before the heat of the day reduces the quality of the leaves. Using a sharp harvesting knife or secateurs, cut the stems while leaving approximately 20 cm of growth so the plant can recover quickly. Avoid cutting too low, as removing too much foliage can slow regrowth or trigger early dormancy.
Healthy plants will branch from the highest remaining leaf nodes and usually produce a second harvest later in the season. During the first year, harvest lightly and avoid disturbing the developing root system.
Processing and Drying
Spread the harvested stems and leaves in a single layer on drying trays with good airflow and out of direct sunlight. Dry at 33–35°C until most of the moisture has been removed. We dry Woundwort on the lower shelves of our drying room where temperatures remain slightly cooler, producing beautifully coloured, aromatic herbs within one to three days.
Once the leaves have partially dried, increase the temperature to no more than 37°C to complete the drying process. The leaves and flowers should become crisp while retaining their colour and aroma.
Strip the leaves and flowers from the stems and store them in paper bags or airtight containers in a cool, dry, dark place. Ensure the herb is completely dry before storage or before infusing it into oil.
Herbal Preparations*
The leaves and flowering tops can be prepared as herbal teas, tinctures, infused oils, salves, ointments, and poultices. Fresh leaves have traditionally been applied directly to minor cuts and bruises, while infused oils make an excellent base for skin-healing balms. The young leaves and flowers are also delicious fresh in salads, adding another dimension to this versatile medicinal plant.
*This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified healthcare practitioner or registered herbalist before using medicinal herbs therapeutically.
