This is a working monograph, meaning it is not complete and will continue to have information added. Please share any of your thoughts, experiences or wisdom around Wood Betony in the comments!

Wood Betony (Stachys officinalis)

Other Names: Betony, Purple Betony, Bishop’s Wort, originally Betonica officinalis (Linnaeus)

*Not the same as Canadian Wood Betony or Canadian Lousewort (Pedicularis canadensis)*

• Parts used: aerial parts (leaves, flowers, stems)

• Tastes: sweet, pungent, aromatic, astringent, slightly acrid (in strong infusions)

• Affinities: 

• • Nervous System
    • tones and strengthens
    • Soothes nervous tension
    • Settles the nerves
    • Ground back into the body
  • Digestive System
    • stimulant relieving tensions and gas (1)
  • Musculoskeletal System
    • Muscles of the face, neck, shoulders and middle back (1)

• Actions: 

• • Demulcent, Diffusive (somewhat), Trophorestorative, Carminative, Relaxing Nervine, Expectorant, Cholagogue, Emmenagogue, Bitter, Vulnerary, Alterative, Diaphoretic, Analgesic (Anodyne), Styptic, Decongestant

• Energetics: cooling to slightly warming, slightly moistening (1)
• Specific Indications:
  • Tissue States: depressed, atrophied, tension (constricted)

• • Dosha(s): Vata
  • Headaches

• • • “specifically of a nervous or digestive origin” (1)
  • Use as directing herb for formulations for the stomach (1)
  • As an emmenagogue to stimulate menstruation when used in formulation with other herbs  such as Mugwort (1)
  • Use in formulations to support various conditions with underlying hypertension (1)
  • As a relaxant for feelings of anxiousness or nervousness affecting the skeletal muscles of the face, neck, shoulders and middle back (1)
  • Tension in nervous system (leading to digestive dysregulation), digestive and musculoskeletal system– activates parasympathetic state to digest food efficiently

• Primary Clinical Patterns:

• Physiological Side Effects:

• Herb-Drug Interactions: None known

• Constitutional/Energetic Aggravations:

• • Overdose may irritate the stomach
  • Fresh leaves may be intoxicating

• Key Constituents, Solubility & Association with 5 Keys (Tastes, Affinities, Actions, Energetics & Psychological/Emotional/Spiritual/Esoteric Specific Indications) :

• • Alkaloids: Stachydrine, Betonicine, Betaine
  • Choline
  • Tannins
  • Flavonoids (including palustrine)
  • Iridoide Monoterpenes
  • Volatile Oils

• Mechanisms of Action:
• Preparations & Dosage:

• • • Safe to use over extended periods of time
    • mainly prepare as infusion or tincture, traditionally used as an herbal smoke mixed with tobacco

• • Tea (Infusion)
    • Amount of Herb:

• • • Amount of Water:
    • Instructions/Dosage:

• • Tincture (fresh or dried)
    • Strength ratio (g:mL):

• • • Percentage alcohol/glycerin: 

• • • Dose/Frequency:

• • Other: 

• Formulation Strategies (pairs/triplets, include: percentage ratio, unique strategies):
  • Paired with Mugwort for stimulating menstruation

• Esoteric Significance:

• • Planet:
  • Element: 

• • Philosophical Principle: 

• • Chakras: Solar Plexus

• Doctrine of Signatures:

• • purple flower plants tend to be nervous system remedies- Crown Chakra
  • Large clusters of leaves at the base of the plant and stems shoot up to have purple flowers- identifies the Wood Betony person wuth excess Crown Chakra activity, providing groundedness for this – checked out, ungrounded tense nervous system (Sajah Popham)

• Growing: 
• Identification & Harvesting: 

• • Native to forests of central and southern Europe
  • Sometimes becomes naturalized in North America
  • Square stem, opposite leaves (Mint Family)
  • “It has small softly lobed heart shaped leaves that for the first part of its life cycle grow in a rosette close to the ground. In June or July the plant sends up a slender stalk that hangs well above the leaves and contains a short purple red spike flower. It is a perennial in most temperate climates and has a thick, woody root.  The leaves are alternate on a square stem and have fine hairs that make them rough to the touch.” (1)
  • Harvest in June/July when just going to flower
  • Cut stems shortly above the root

• Personal Experience:

• Additional Notes: (quotes, citations, references, traditional/cultural uses, etc.)

• • Betony – some authors have proposed that this word comes from the Celtic bew – head, and ton – good (Grieves, 1971) – downward and inward flowing energy moving you out of your overthinking thinking mind to have a “good head”
  • “Wood Betony is a remedy which helps establish rootedness, connectedness, earthiness, and groundedness. It is a plant for people who are cut off from the earth or their bodies. It strengthens the solar plexus – the place that helps us feel connected – and through the solar plexus it strengthens the stomach and the rest of the nervous system, including the brain. Through this general strengthening property, Wood Betony enhances the actions of diverse organs – lungs, liver, gallbladder, intestines, kidneys and uterus. By strengthening the solar plexus and helping people to feel grounded, it has an impact on psychological health which helps explain its magical uses.” (Matthew Wood)
  • “Betony was once the sovereign remedy for all maladies of the head, and its properties as a nervine and tonic are still acknowledged,” (Grieves, 1971)
  • In relation to William Salmon explaining Wood Betony as incarnative-  “I believe that this accurately and evocatively sums up the central movement of the plant. It is a superlative remedy for bringing one back into their body and becoming reacquainted with the older instinctual knowing residing in the solar plexus, or ‘gut’.” (1)
  • Isolated alkaloids found in Wood Betony have been reported to possibly be effective in supporting cases of obstructive jaundice (1)
  • Considered safe for children (check with pediatrician before giving children an herbs)

Sources:

1. Author, Guest. “Wood Betony Monograph.” Eclectic School of Herbal Medicine, 24 May 2023, eclecticschoolofherbalmedicine.com/wood-betony-monograph/.