Wood Betony

Species Name: Stachys officinalis

Also Known As: Betony, Betonica, bishopswort, and purple betony.

It is important to note that Wood Betony should not be confused with Pedicularis bracteosa, another species which is commonly called Betony and Wood Betony.

This is an entirely different species from the Scrophulariaceae family and has completely dissimilar properties and applications.

Wood betony is a perennial grassland herb native to the meadows and open woods throughout Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa.

Now cultivated in gardens with temperate climates throughout the world, it flowers in mid summer, with long stems topped with purple blossoms. Wood Betony is part of the mint family.

What is Wood Betony? The entire aerial parts of Wood Betony are used when dried. Often it is harvested just before blooming, but the flowers, leaves, stems, and all above ground parts can be used.

Wood Betony constituents include the following: betaine, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, harpagide, rosmarinic acid, stachydrine, tannins.

Home Remedies Using Wood Betony:

Benefits of Wood Betony:

European history is full of instances where Wood Betony was used to treat everything from chest and lung problems, worms, fever, gout, uterine bleeding, dizziness, and many other diseases, to its use as protection against witchcraft.

Wood Betony was planted in church yards to ward off ghosts, and used to bathe children to ward of evil spirits.

Today Wood Betony is a popular treatment for chronic headaches and is utilized to treat anxiety, nervousness, and seizures. It is also used in the treatment of heart palpitations, asthma, bronchitis, and kidney stones.

Wood Betony is used to treat varicose veins, migraines, and as a nervine it is an effective treatment for stress related illness.

The tannins in Wood Betony give it mild astringent properties. This encourages its use as a mouthwash, where it will soothe mouth and throat membranes. It is also beneficial as a treatment for diarrhea.

One glycoside found in Wood Betony has been proven to lower blood pressure, which may be the reason it is an effective treatment for anxiety and headaches.

Side Effects of Wood Betony:

Wood Betony side effects might include mild nausea. It should not be used by pregnant or nursing women as it is a mild uterine stimulant.

Take Wood Betony as recommended as overuse may cause diarrhea and upset stomach.

Many herbalists suggest that people may need to take Wood Betony for months before seeing results.