Betony (wood)

Betony
(wood)

BETONY (Wood)
STACHYS OFFICINALIS (= BETONICA OFFICINALIS)
It is a very precious herb, that is certain, and most fitting to be kept in a man's house, both in syrup, conserve, oil, ointment and plaister. The flowers are usually conserved.
The plant has many leaves rising from the root, which are broad and round at the end and dented at the edges. The stalks are small, square, slender, upright and hairy. It produces several spiked heads of flowers like Lavender but spotted with white spots. The whole plant is somewhat small.
Where to find it: It grows in woods, preferring shady places.
Flowering time: Midsummer.
Astrology: It is appropriated to the planet Jupiter, and the sign of Aries.
Medicinal virtues: According to Antonius Musa, physician to the Roman Emperor Augustus Caesar, Betony preserves the liver and body of a man from epidemical diseases, and also from witchcraft. It was not the practice of Caesar to keep fools about him. It helpeth those that cannot digest their meat, those that have weak stomachs, or sour belchings. It helpeth the jaundice, falling-sickness, the palsy, convulsions, shrinking of the sinews, the gout, those that are inclined to dropsy, and those that have continual pains in their heads.
The powder mixed with honey is for all sorts of coughs or colds, wheezing, or shortness of breath, and distillations of thin rheums which causes consumptions. The decoction made with mead and a little Pennyroyal is good for those troubled with putrid agues, and to draw down and evacuate the blood and humours, that by failing into the eyes, do hinder the sight. The decoction made in wine kills the worms in the belly, openeth obstructions of the spleen and liver, cures stitches and pains in the back or sides, the torments and griping pains of the bowels and the wind colic. It helpeth also to break and expel the stone in the bladder or kidneys.
It stayeth bleeding at the mouth and nose and helpeth those that evacuate blood and those that have a rupture. The fume of the decoction while it is warm received by a funnel into the ears, easeth the pains of them and destroys worms and cures sores in them.
Modern uses.. Wood Betony is still used by both herbalists and homoeopaths. The homoeopathic tincture is made from the fresh leaves and used to treat simple diarrhoea. The herb is used for its aromatic, astringent and blood purifying properties. It is available as a tincture or fluid extract from herbalists. The herb is also a sedative and anti-spasmodic and can be used to treat migraine and digestive troubles. For home use an infusion can be made from the dried herb in the ratio of 1 Oz (28 g) to 1 Pt (568 ml) of boiling water. The dose is 2 fl oz (56 ml) three times a day. The root should not be used.