Stachys officinalis
Wood Betony
a perennial member of the Stachys genus in the family Labiatae.
Taxonomy and growth
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The leaves and flowering tops make a good tea substitute. Refreshing and aromatic[9][1][5], it has all the good qualities of tea without the negative ones[14].
- Product or use
- Tea
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Wood betony was at one time commonly used as a medicinal plant in the treatment of a wide range of disorders, especially as a nervine and tonic for treating maladies of the head and as an external application to wounds[14][15][11]. It also stimulates the digestive system and the liver, having an overall tonic effect upon the body[13]. Wood betony is much less used nowadays, and more often forms part of a mixture of herbs[14]. The whole plant is collected when in flower in the summer and can be dried for later use[14][13]. It is anthelmintic, antiseptic, astringent, carminative, mildly cathartic, cholagogue, digestive, diuretic, mildly emetic, emmenagogue, expectorant, nervine, sedative, sternutatory, tonic and vulnerary[14][16][2][9][3][10]. It is taken in the treatment of 'frayed nerves', pre-menstrual complaints, poor memory and tension[13]. It can be taken in combination with herbs such as comfrey, Symphytum officinale, and lime flowers, Tilia species, to treat sinus headaches and congestion[13]. Wood betony can be taken on its own, or with yarrow, Achillea millefolium, to staunch nosebleeds[13]. A pinch of the powdered herb will provoke violent sneezing and it has been used as part of a herbal snuff mixture in the treatment of headaches[14]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh plant[16]. It is used in the treatment of asthma and excessive perspiration[16].
- Product or use
- Anthelmintic
- Product or use
- Antiseptic
- Product or use
- Astringent
- Product or use
- Carminative
- Product or use
- Cathartic
- Product or use
- Cholagogue
- Product or use
- Digestive
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Emetic
- Product or use
- Emmenagogue
- Product or use
- Expectorant
- Product or use
- Homeopathy
- Product or use
- Nervine
- Product or use
- Sedative
- Product or use
- Sternutatory
- Product or use
- Tonic
- Product or use
- Vulnerary
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A fine yellow dye is obtained from the leaves[14].
- Product or use
- Dye
Environment
- Range
- Europe, including Britain, south and east from Sweden to Spain, Italy, Greece and the Caucasus.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 5+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, heavy clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring. Very easy, the plant can be successfully divided at almost any time of the year. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Prefers a light moist neutral to acid soil in sun or light shade[15][4][11]. A characteristic plant of healthy roadside banks on heavy soils[6]. Hardy to at least -25°c[6]. At one time bugle was often cultivated for its medicinal virtues, though it is now little used[14]. There are some named varieties selected for their ornamental value[7]. An excellent bee plant[12].
References
Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218
Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7
Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.
Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2