Betony

Species Name: Stachys Betonica (BENTH.), Betonica officinalis (LINN.).

Also known as: Bishopswort, figwort.

Betony is a nice-looking woodland plant, found most often in England. It generally grows in woods and copses and is occasionally found more open places or in tangled growths of heaths and moors.

It is often used in herbal medicine for treating different conditions and is commonly grow in cultivation today for these purposes.

What is Betony? So what exactly is betony? It is a wood-type plant whose parts are used often in herbal medicine. The stems rise to a height of from 1 to 2 feet, and are slender, square and rutted.

It also has a history of being used to cast out evil spirits and to treat many medical conditions. The main portions of the plant that are used in medicine are the leaves and flowers, though historically the root has also been used.

There are many similar species originating from Eurasia, including Stachys sieboldii (Chinese artichoke, kan lu) and S. atherocalyx (hedge nettle).

Home Remedies using Wood Betony:

Benefits of Betony:

So why do people use this herb? Betony has some health benefits that you should be aware of. Many people who practice herbal medicine have been using it for years to treat anxiety, stress, depression and more.

It is also helpful in treating sinusitis and even shingles. Betony is commonly used in a tea form to help things such as stress and anxiety. It is commonly considered a substitute for black tea.

The mixture resembles the taste of black tea and is caffeine-free. It also helps relieve headache which makes it very popular with people who seek herbal remedies for their conditions.

Wood betony is also mildly sedative, relieving nervous stress and tension. It is proven affective with headaches and facial pain and tension which is also why it helps relieve symptoms of sinusitis.

Uses of Betony:

  • Anxiety
  • Stress
  • Shingles
  • Sinusitis

A tea of wood betony can be made by steeping 1 to 2 tsp dried leaf and flower in a cup of water for 15 minutes. One or two cups of this tea can be drunk per day.5 Though generally better between meals, it can be taken with food for convenience or if there is any gastrointestinal upset.

Side Effects of Betony:

There are no known adverse effects from use of wood betony other than occasional mild gastrointestinal upset.