Betony
(Stachys officinalis)
Also Called: Lousewort, purple betony, wood betony.
Description: The hairy, unbranched or slightly branched,
quadrangular stem grows to a height of 6 to 24 Inches.
The heart shaped leaves are opposite, more or less hairy on both sides, the
lower leaves oblong-cordate, the upper more lanceolate.
Flowers reddish-purple, in tight oblong spikes from June to October
Parts Used: Flowering herb.
Habitat: Betony Is a perennialplant found in old European gardens, damp or dry meadows, on sunny slopes, and along forest paths.
Properties and Uses: Anthelmintic, astringent, bitter digestive remedy, carminative, circulatory tonic particularly for cerebral circulation, duretic, expectorant, nervine, sedative, vulnerary.
Mainly used as a nervine and sedative for headaches and
nervous debility and makes a pleasanttasting tea.
Betony is also a good anti-catarrhal herb and, taken in a tea or tincture, can
help reduce the discomfort of sinusitis and severe nasal congestion.
It is recommended
for asthma and bronchitis, as well as for heartburn.
It can be especially helpful for menopausal problems.
The infusion is also popularly used for neurasthenia, bladder and kidney
problems, spitting blood, and excessive sweating; regular use is recommended
for varicose veins.
A strong decoction is said to be effective against worms.
The juice of the plant can be used to heal cuts, external ulcers, and old
sores.
If you have a sprain. don't throw away the leaves boiled to make a decoction:
make them into a poultice to put on the injured part.
Although wood betony tends to be rather neglected these days, it was one
of the most important healing plants in the Anglo-Saxon repertoire, no fewer
than 29 uses of it are known.
As well as recommending it for a range of physical diseases, it was a popular
amulet herb used well into the Middle Age, tied on the arm with red wool, to
ward off evil or ill humours.
As late as 1526 The Grete Herboll was recommending it "for them that
be ferful", while William Turner, in 1551 , advises that it will heal "them
that are mad" and John p Gerard (I 597) gives a very long list of applications
concluding that "it maketh a man to pisse well".
Culpeper, in 1653, stressed that it "preserves the liver and bodies of men from epidemical diseases and from witchcraft" and it certainly has an affinity with the liver - ideal for poor or sluggish digestion, and as a general stimulant.
Finally, taking 1/2 to 1 cup of the Infusion a day is recommended for children who, for no apparent reason, fail to thrive.
Preparation and Dosage:
Infusion: Use 1 to 2 tsp. per cup of water; take 1 to 2 cups during the day,
a mouthful at a time.
Decoction: Use 2 tsp. with 1/2 cup water; sweeten to taste. Take 1/2 cup per
day, a mouthful at a time.
Cautions: Although helpful during labour, wood betony should be avoided in pregnancy as it is a uterine stimulant.
