WOOD BETONY

Latin Name: Stachys officinalis

Alternate Names: Bishops Wort, Betony

Family: LAMIACEAE

Parts Used: Above ground portion.

Properties: Alterative, Analgesic, Antispasmodic, Astringent, Aromatic, Bitter Tonic, Cerebral Tonic, Circulatory Stimulant, Diuretic, Hepato-tonic, Hypoglycemic, Hypotensive, Nervine, Sedative, Styptic, Vulnerary.

Internal Uses: Allergies, Anxiety, Asthma, Catarrh, Colds, Diarrhea, Drunkenness, Edema, Exhaustion, Fear, Gout, Headache, Hearing Loss, Hyperactivity, Hypertension, Hysteria, Indigestion, Kidney Dysfunction, Migraine, Neuralgia, Nightmares, Pain, Sore Throat, Stress, Varicose Veins, Vertigo, Worms, Worry

Internal Applications: Tea, Tincture, Capsules. 

It is a mild sedative and was once used as a snuff and smoke to treat headaches. Wood Betony is helpful for bad nerves, pain, and spasms.

Topical Uses: Boils, Gingivitis, Mouth Sores, Scars, Sore Throat, Splinters, Wounds

Topical Applications: Applied to wounds it can stop bleeding and prevent scarring. Also use as a poultice to draw out splinters and boils. Mouthwash and gargle for mouth sores, sore gums and sore throat. Fresh plant can be made into a hair rinse for golden highlights. 

Energetics: Bitter, Cool, Dry.

Chemical Constituents: Tannins, saponins, glucosides, alkaloids (betonicine, stachydrine, trigonelline, betaine), choline.

Contraindications: Avoid large doses during pregnancy, except during labor. Large doses may cause vomiting. 

Comments: The name Betony is derived from vettonica. People who were from Vettones inhabited a part of the Iberian peninsula. Betony also means 'herb for the head'. The genus name Stachys is from the Greek, meaning 'ear of corn' in reference to the way the flowers grow. An old Spanish compliment was 'He has as many virtues as Betony'. It was once worn as a protective charm by the Anglo-Saxons. In medieval England, Betony was used to treat 'monstrous nocturnal visions, devils, despair and lunacy'. 

The species Stachys officinalis was formerly named Betonica officinalis.