The herb known as the wood betony is commonly considered to be the most important among the Anglo-Saxon herbs. There are at least twenty nine uses of the wood betony in the treatment of physical diseases. At one time, the wood betony was probably also the most popular amulet herb - such amulets were used widely until the middle Ages as a charm to ward off so called evil or ill humors that supposedly brought disease to the human body. The many uses of the wood betony were written down by the medical herbalist Gerard in 1597, he gave a long list of herbal applications for this plant, adding that -"it maketh a man to pisse well"- an inference to the herb's effectiveness against urinary disorders. Most contemporary herbalist neglect the wood betony as a potential remedy, however, the beneficial properties of this herb are worth rediscovering and exploiting.
While remedies made from betony or wood betony has a long historical use in the folk medicine of many cultures, the herb is one of those medicinal plants that once had a great reputation, being considered good for practically every malady, but the use of which gradually decreased over the years until it was seen to be of little value. Contemporary folk medicine disregards the many benefits said to be possessed by the herb. The great reputation the wood betony had in earlier eras can be seen in two old proverbs or sayings: an Italian proverb that states, "Sell your coat and buy betony," and a Spanish proverb states, "He has as many virtues as betony," illustrate the reputation of the herb in previous ages and allude to its versatility as a common folk medicine.
The medication is made from the dried out parts of a plant commonly called betony - botanical name Stachys officinalis; the entire aerial parts of this herb is what is called wood betony. This herb is a square stemmed perennial belonging to the plant family Lamiaceae. The herb bears a rosette of hairy leaves and has a spike of pink or purplish flowers and can grow to three feet in height. The plant is a native species of Europe, found mainly in cleared areas and meadows throughout much of Europe - it is also widely cultivated in herb gardens in temperate regions around the world.
The wood betony was highly regarded as a cure all plant during the middle Ages. The herb was believed to possess many magical properties, including the power to ward off evil spirits - it was widely used in amulets for this reason. In contemporary folk medicine, the medication is principally valued for its astringent properties, useful in the treatment of problems such as diarrhea and in treating irritations affecting the throat, the mouth, and the gums. The leaves of the wood betony are often prepared as an infusion or used in the preparation of an herbal tea, these liquids are either drunk or employed as a gargle or mouthwash to treat oral and throat disorders. The use of the leaves to make an infusion or a tea depends on the type of disorder affecting the person.
When the composition of the sap of the wood betony is chemically analyzed, the herb is found to have about fifteen per cent tannin; this high tannin content explains its great effectiveness as an astringent. Wood betony was also analyzed in one Russian study, which found a mixture of glycosides in the composition of the herb, at least one of these glycosides was found to be a plant pigment called a flavonoid. The glycosides found in the wood betony are reported to possess a hypotensive effect - an ability to lower the blood pressure. While this report needs to be verified by further studies, this property of the herb can partially explain the reputed effectiveness of wood betony in alleviating headaches and mild anxiety states.
At this time, the only principal use for this remedy in fold medicine is as an herbal astringent, this beneficial effect is due to the high level of tannins present in the herb. This property of the wood betony makes it very effective in alleviating problems such as diarrhea and in treating various irritations affecting the mucous membranes in the body. When used as an ordinary herbal remedy, the wood betony should not induce any significant side effects in a person, however, an over dose of the remedy could induce excessive irritation on the tissues lining the stomach and cause other symptoms.
Aerial parts, root.
The wood betony is not seen as a panacea anymore and its use in contemporary folk medicine is limited. However, the wood betony is of real value as treating headaches and pain in the facial region. The mildly sedative action of the wood betony is also effective in relieving nervous stress and emotional tension. The wood betony is included in British herbal medicine as a remedy that help improve the functioning of the nervous system and as an herb that can help counter over activity in the body. The remedies made from the wood betony are often used in the treatment of "frayed nerves," in treating premenstrual complaints, in treating poor memory, and in alleviating nervous tension and other emotional problems. The astringent properties of the wood betony is well known, and it is used in a combination with other herbs, including the comfrey - botanical name Symphytum officinale - and with linden flowers -Tilia species. When used combined with these herbs, it is effective in the treatment of sinusitis headaches and in treating nasal congestion. The remedy made from wood betony used with yarrow or used alone will also staunch nosebleeds in a patient. The taste of the wood betony is mildly bitter and it is used to stimulate the digestive system and to boost the functioning of the liver. The herb also has general tonic like effect on the human body and is used in various treatments.
Habitat and cultivation
The herb called the wood betony is found throughout most regions of continental Europe and can also be found in parts of Asia as far east as the Caucasus Mountains. The plants are found growing mainly in meadows, in heath land, and in thinly wooded hilly regions. When the plant blooms in early summer, all the aerial parts are collected and used to prepare various remedies.
Dosage for the herbal infusion can be a cup of the infusion taken thrice daily, prepare the infusion by pouring a cup of boiling water on 1 - 2 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb. Let the herb steep into the water for ten to fifteen minutes before straining and drinking. Dosage for the tincture can be 2 - 6 ml of the tincture thrice daily as long as needed.
Collection and harvesting
The wood betony blooms in summer, and the aerial parts are best collected just before the floral bloom. The collected plants must be dried carefully by laying them out in sunlight throughout the summer.
An herbal combination remedy made from a mixture of wood betony with skullcap is good for treating nervous headaches.