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Heart-of-the-earth


Heart-of-the-earth
Photo Information
Copyright: Gert Paassen (Gert-Paassen) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1200 W: 2 N: 4530] (13712)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-06-01
Categories: Flowers
Exposure: f/16, 1/160 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-06-07 21:26
Viewed: 445
Points: 18
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [Dutch]
Today an nice coloured one and not so common in the Netherlands but also rare.
Thanks for the few critiques on my previous posting.
I hope you like this one also.

Latin name - Prunella vulgaris

Prunella vulgaris (Common Selfheal,Heal-All or Heart-of-the-earth) is a medicinal plant in the genus Prunella. It grows from 1 to 2 feet high, with creeping, self-rooting, tough, square, reddish stems branching at leaf axis. The leaves are lance shaped, serrated and reddish at tip, about an inch long and 1/2 inch broad, grow on short stalks in opposite pairs down the square stem. The flowers grow from a clublike, somewhat square, whirled cluster, immediately below this club are a pair of stalkless leaves standing out on either side like a collar. Flowers are two lipped and tubular, the top lip is a purple hood, and the bottom lip is often white, it has three lobes with the middle lobe being larger and fringed upwardly. Flowers bloom at different times depending on climate and other conditions; Mostly from June to August. For medicinal purposes, the whole plant is gathered when the flowers bloom, and dried. The leaves and small flowers of heal-all are edible.

Heal-all is a perennial herb found throughout Europe, Asia, Japan and the U. S., as well as most temperate climates. Its origin seems to be European, though it has been documented in other countries since before any history of travel. Prunella Vulgaris is often found growing in waste ground, grassland, woodland edges, usually on basic and neutral soils. Heal-all is grown in any damp soil in full sun or in light shade. Seeds are sewn in very early spring in a flat outdoor area.

Heal-All is both edible and medicinal. It can be used in salads, soups, stews, or boiled as a pot herb. It has been used as an alternative medicine for centuries on just about every continent in the world[citation needed], and for just about every ailment,[citation needed] Heal-All is something of a panacea, it does seem to have some medicinal uses that are constant. The plant's most useful constituents are Betulinic-acid, D-Camphor, Delphinidin, Hyperoside, Manganese, Oleanolic-acid, Rosmarinic-acid, Rutin, Ursolic-acid, and Tannins. The whole plant is medicinal as alterative, antibacterial, antipyretic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, astringent, carminative, diuretic, febrifuge, hypotensive, stomachic, styptic, tonic, vermifuge and vulnerary. It is taken internally as a medicinal tea in the treatment of fevers, diarrhoea, sore mouth and throat, internal bleeding, and weaknesses of the liver and heart. Clinical analysis shows it to have an antibacterial action, inhibiting the growth of pseudomonas, Bacillus typhi, E. coli, Mycobacterium tuberculi, which supports its use as an alternative medicine internally and externally as an antibiotic and for hard to heal wounds and diseases. It is showing promise in research for cancer, AIDS,diabetes, and many other maladies.

Heal all was once proclaimed to be a holy herb and was thought to be sent by God to cure all ailments of man or beast. It was 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 also used to make a tea to drink in ceremonies before going hunting by one Native American tribe to sharpen the powers of observation.
boreocypriensis, anel, CeltickRanger, jaycee, Noisette, uleko, Pitoncle has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi and Good Morning Big Bro,
A fine macro of this beauty.
TFS and have a nice day!
Cheers,
Bayram

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1715 W: 0 N: 3896] (15640)
  • [2009-06-08 0:38]

Hello Gert,
This is for me a well-known flower which is quite common on my mountain meadow. But I must say that I never made such a beautiful shot of it. Great composition, simple and efficient.
Well done
Have a nice day
Anne

Beautiful shot Gert.
Very well exposed and very nicely composed.
Excellent work.
Cheers
Steve

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2904 W: 34 N: 8600] (32056)
  • [2009-06-08 13:48]

Hi Gert. Firstly thanks for the interesting notes. This is such a fine close up of the Prunella vulgaris which you show with fine detail and rich colours. It stands out so well from the plain coloured BG. well done TFS.
Nick..

hello Gert

another beautiful photo of wild flower,
with fine POV, i love the less tight framing,
i want to say i love to see more space around the subject
i am telling it in comparaison of your 2 last photos,
the focus is fine with great sharpness and details
and the luminosity beautiful, TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2009-06-08 17:03]

Hi Gert,

I think I have said this before but I'll say it again. I find it amazing that you have such a variety of flowers in your country. This one too is beautiful and delicate looking. Wonderful colors, details, background and centered composition.

Jane

Hello Gert
What a superb Flower ! i like her shape
the colors of this shot are fantastic
great details
bravo for this one
Have a good night
Jacqueline

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2986 W: 162 N: 929] (2735)
  • [2009-06-10 3:48]

Hello Gert,
This is a really lovely close-up of Prunella vulgaris, a very pretty flower often overlooked. It stands out against the fine background. I didn't know about its healing qualities nor did I know that it was edible!!
Many thanks and kind regards, Ulla

Bonjour Gert,
Très belle macro finement détaillée et délicatement colorée.
A bientôt sur TN pour de nouvelles aventures.
Gérard

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