Wood Betony – Stachys officinalis
Wood Betony (also known as Hedgenettle) has an ancient history and was long revered throughout ancient Europe for its healing and magical properties. Thought of as a powerful panacea, it was the most prized medicinal plant by Anglo-Saxons and it was used to cure forty-seven different ailments by the Romans. However, over time its use fell out of favor and today is used occasionally in European herbalism and rarely in North American herbalism. But it is time to rediscover and fall in love with this wonderful little beauty again.
Not to be confused with Betony (Pedicularis spp.), which is native to North America, Wood Betony is native to Europe and commonly found in dry grasslands and meadows. Traditionally, the leaves are harvested just before the plant goes to flower. But today, all aerial parts are often used when in flower. It makes a pleasant infusion, with a slight spicy/aromatic flavor.
Wood Betony is an herb with specific and tonic properties. As a tonic it has long been associated with the solar plexus region of the body and is an excellent digestive tonic. It improves circulation and harmonizes the functions of the digestive system. In combination with its calming effects, it is excellent for digestive distress caused by nervous tension, anxiety, and depression. It can stimulate weak digestion while its also soothes and calms. As such, it is excellent for irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, gastritis, and other inflammatory digestive conditions. It is slightly warming and gently invigorates the system. It stimulates the appetite and supports those with eating disorders or emaciated and depleted.
It is a wonderful nervous system tonic and helps release stress and tension from the mind and body. So powerful, it often only takes one sip of an infusion to feel the shoulders fall and the muscles begin to melt and soften. Long associated with the head, its useful in treating all types of headaches, including migraines and tension headaches. It is a wonderful addition to any sleep formula and can treat insomnia, especially if caused by anxiety and tension and those “churning thoughts that just wont stop.”
Wood Betony improves circulation, memory and concentration, much like Gingko, but more effective. In combination with its calming effect, it is excellent for exams and other stressful situations that require focus. It’s invigorating, tonifiying, and nervine properties combine to make it a wonderful herb for the elderly and those recovering from long illness. Externally, it has similar wound healing properties as yarrow and is excellent as a wash for burns.
Wood Betony is a great herb for when you don’t feel quite well but are not sure of the problem.
Emotionally and spiritually, Wood Betony helps to root and ground and is perfect for those “spacey” and not connected to their body and the earth. Traditionally, it was believed to have powerful magic. It is used for protection against the evil eye and bodily harm and to bring beautiful and prophetic dreams. It dispels negative energy and eases both internal and external conflicts. All of these properties made it a popular herb in European shamanic/spiritual practices.
With all of these amazing uses, its easy to see why the Gaelic name for Wood Betony is lis bheathag, or Life Plant.
Dream Tea
1 part Linden
1/2 part Wood Betony
1/2 part Passionflower
pinch of Mugwort
Steep for minimum of 20 minutes and strain. For a stronger medicinal infusion, allow to steep for a few hours. Drink warm, an hour before bed and again right before bed.
Note: A part can be equal to any measurement you like. For example, if you decide 1 part is equal to 1 cup then for the above recipe you would add 1 cup of Linden, with 1/2 part Wood Betony and Passionflower for your tea blend. If making in larger batches, use approximately one tablespoon of this mixture for each cup of tea.
