Wood Betony

Western Bulk Herbs – Wood Betony

Wood betony is used to treat headache as well as facial pain. It has a mild sedative that can ease anxiety and stress, plus it can relieve the symptoms of PMS. It will help stimulate the appetite and enhance digestion.

Latin Name:
Stachys betonica

Common Names:
Betony, Bishopwort, Lousewort, Bishopwort, Common Hedge-Nettle, and Spiked Betony.

Parts Used:
The whole herb

Properties:
Pain relief, digestive, sedative, and astringent

Traditional Uses:
Gargles, extracts and teas

Topical Uses / Applications:

Culinary Uses:
Not normally used in cooking.

Chemical Properties:
Betaine, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, harpagide, rosmarinic acid, stachydrine, and tannins.

Folk Lore:
Gerard tells us, among other uses, that Betony,
“preserveth the lives and bodies of men from the danger of epidemical diseases. It helpeth those that loathe and cannot digest their food. It is used either dry or green either the root or herb – or the flowers, drunk in broth or meat or made into conserve syrup, water, electuary or powder – as everyone may best frame themselves, or as time or season requires.” A Modern Herbal

Cautions:
GRAS: Generally Recognized As Safe. This herb can safely be consumed when used appropriately. It is speculated that pregnant or nursing mothers should avoid using Wood Betony.

*Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Resources:
PDR for Herbal Medicines, 2000. Medical Economics Company, Montvale, New Jersey.

The New Holistic Herbal. David Hoffmann, 1990. Barnes and Noble Books, New York.

A Modern Herbal, Mrs. M. Grieve, (Dover Publications, New York, 1971)

Major Herbs of Ayurvedic.Compiled by Dahur Research Foundation and Dahur Ayurvet Limited, Ghaziabad, India., 2002. Churchill Livingstone, London, England.

Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, Third Edition, Dan Bensky and Andrew Gamble, 1986. Eastland Press, Seattle, WA.