Vulnerary Herbs: Plants that Support Tissue Repair

Written By Patricia Argoff

Modern research confirms what traditional herbalists have long observed: certain plants can support tissue regeneration, reduce inflammation, and promote faster wound healing when applied topically. These plants are known as vulnerary herbs — from the Latin vulnus, meaning wound — and they assist the body’s natural repair process. Studies on medicinal plants in wound care show that a number of botanical extracts have measurable effects in animal and clinical models of cutaneous wound healing. 

When the skin is injured, the body moves through a coordinated sequence of inflammation, tissue formation, and remodeling. Research on various vulnerary herbs — including calendula and gotu kola — shows enhanced skin cell regeneration, increased collagen production, and improved wound contraction in experimental conditions. Traditional herbalists described these effects simply as helping the skin “knit” back together.

What Makes an Herb Vulnerary?

A vulnerary herb supports the rebuilding phase of healing. These plants don’t just soothe the surface — they assist underlying tissue repair.

Research suggests many vulnerary herbs:

  • Encourage new skin cell formation

  • Support healthy collagen synthesis

  • Reduce excessive inflammation

  • Improve circulation to damaged tissue

  • Offer gentle antimicrobial protection

Botanical wound healing reviews include a wide range of herbs with phenolic and triterpenoid compounds that influence these pathways. 

Common Vulnerary Herbs

Several herbs traditionally recognized for their ability to aid tissue repair include calendula (Calendula officinalis), plantain (Plantago spp.), comfrey (Symphytum officinale), yarrow (Achillea millefolium), St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum), lavender (Lavandula spp.), chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), gotu kola (Centella asiatica), rose (Rosaspp.), and helichrysum (Helichrysum spp.). 

Scientific evidence — such as the increased collagen synthesis and epithelialization seen with gotu kola — supports some of these traditional uses. Calendula extracts also show evidence of promoting granulation and resolving inflammation in wound models, though further clinical research is still needed. 

Tradition and Clinical Evidence

Traditional herbal texts describe vulnerary herbs as plants that “draw,” “close,” or “repair” tissue. Modern research uses terms like fibroblast stimulation, collagen deposition, and inflammatory modulation — but the outcomes described are similar.

Extensive research reviews show that medicinal plants such as calendula, gotu kola, plantain, aloe, and chamomile are commonly used to support skin wound healing.

Vulnerary herbs work alongside the body’s natural repair mechanisms. When used appropriately, they offer practical and well-supported support for minor wounds and skin irritation.

References

Agyare, C., Asase, A., Lechtenberg, M., Niehues, M., Deters, A., & Hensel, A. (2016). An ethnopharmacological survey and in vitro confirmation of ethnopharmacological use of medicinal plants used for wound healing in Ghana. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2016, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/8074517

Duran, V., Matic, M., Jovanovcic, M., Mimica-Dukic, N., Gajinov, Z., & Poljacki, M. (2005). Results of the clinical examination of an ointment with marigold (Calendula officinalis) extract in the treatment of venous leg ulcers. Journal of Wound Care, 14(7), 325–328. https://doi.org/10.12968/jowc.2005.14.7.26736

Parente, L. M. L., Lino Júnior, R. S., Tresvenzol, L. M. F., Vinaud, M. C., de Paula, J. R., & Paulo, N. M. (2012). Wound healing and anti-inflammatory effect in animal models of Calendula officinalis L. growing in Brazil. Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition, 51(2), 109–115. https://doi.org/10.3164/jcbn.11-102

Preethi, K. C., & Kuttan, R. (2009). Wound healing activity of flower extract of Calendula officinalis. Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, 106(6), 404–408. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1742-7843.2009.00457.x

Samuelsen, A. B. (2000). The traditional uses, chemical constituents and biological activities of Plantago major L. A review. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 71(1–2), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(00)00212-9

Shukla, A., Rasik, A. M., & Dhawan, B. N. (1999). Asiaticoside-induced elevation of antioxidant levels in healing wounds. Phytotherapy Research, 13(1), 50–54. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1573(199902)13:1<50::AID-PTR395>3.0.CO;2-V

Staiger, C. (2012). Comfrey: A clinical overview. Phytotherapy Research, 26(10), 1441–1448. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.4612

Thakur, R., Jain, N., Pathak, R., & Sandhu, S. S. (2011). Practices in wound healing studies of plants. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1093/ecam/nep013

Widgerow, A. D., Chait, L. A., & Stals, R. (2000). New innovations in scar management. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 24(3), 227–234. https://doi.org/10.1007/s002660010037

Patricia Argoff
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