Common Names: Betony, Wood Betony; Botanical Name: Stachys officinalis, Syn. Betonica officinalis
In modern herbalism, Betony is used in combination with other herbs to relieve nerve pain, tension, and anxiety.
Betony tea is safe to drink daily and may relieve nerve pain and prevent chronic migraines.
In general, Betony is used for digestion problems including heartburn, diarrhea, and intestinal gas; for breathing problems including bronchitis and asthma; for painful conditions including gout, headaches, and facial pain; and for urinary tract conditions including bladder and kidney stones (nephrolithiasis) and bladder pain and swelling (inflammation). It is also used to treat stress and tension, nervousness, and epilepsy.
Properties of Betony have been summarised as emmenagogue, anodyne, anti-tumor, aphrodisiac, blood tonic, cardiac, stomachic. It has been used as a blood tonic, as a cardiac for anemia and heart troubles and to treat stomach aches, ulcers, and bloody diarrhea. Some of the active constituents in the plant are thought to be betaine, betulinic-acid, caffeic-acid, chlorogenic-acid, harpagide, and rosmarinic-acid.
Wood Betony was much used by both Native Americans and Europeans and was highly prized for it’s medicinal and aphrodisiac qualities. The Celtic name for Betony translates to "good for the head" suggesting it's use for headaches, peaceful mind, and mental clarity. Other historical applications of Betony include as a medicinal poultice for swellings, sore muscles, varicose veins, and tumors. A medicinal infusion of the herb has been used to treat sore throats, tonsillitis, cough and bronchitis, also used to treat headaches, dizziness, urinary, bladder and kidney pain.
Reference: Fetrow CW, Avila JR. Professional's Handbook of Complementary & Alternative Medicines. 1st ed. Springhouse, PA: Springhouse Corp., 1999.
