heal-all
Noun: 1. A common name for the plant Prunella vulgaris (also known as self-heal): "heal-all" refers to a low-growing perennial herb in the mint family, historically believed to have medicinal properties that could cure a wide range of ailments. The name derives from the folk belief that it could "heal all" ills. 2. A panacea or universal remedy (archaic or figurative): "heal-all" can also refer to any substance or treatment claimed to cure all diseases or solve all problems.
- (The plant was used as a traditional remedy.)
- (The plant was considered a general-purpose cure.)
- (Figurative use: a supposed universal remedy.)
"To be a heal-all": to be regarded as a cure-all or universal solution.
- No single policy can be a heal-all for complex social issues. (No one policy can solve everything.)
"Heal-all tea": an infusion made from the leaves and flowers of Prunella vulgaris, traditionally used for its mild anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties.
- She drank heal-all tea to soothe her irritated throat. (The tea was made from the plant.)
Self-heal (n): another common name for Prunella vulgaris, emphasizing its use in self-treatment.
- Self-heal grows wild in many temperate regions. (The plant is also called self-heal.)
Cure-all (n): a synonym for a panacea; a remedy for all diseases.
- The supplement was marketed as a cure-all, but it had no proven effects. (A universal remedy.)
- Panacea: a solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases.
- Universal remedy: a treatment that cures everything.
- Cure-all: a substance claimed to heal all illnesses.
A cure for all ills: something that solves all problems.
- The new technology was hailed as a cure for all ills, but it created new ones. (A universal solution.)
The philosopher's stone: in alchemy, a legendary substance that could cure all diseases and turn base metals into gold, often used figuratively for a heal-all.
- Investors searched for the philosopher's stone of business success, but found no heal-all. (An impossible universal remedy.)