Photo: Radio Tonreg from Vienna, Austria, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Betony (Wood Betony)

Betonica officinalis

Also known as Wood Betony, Bishopwort, Purple Betony, Stachys officinalis, Bishop's Wort

At a glance

Family

Lamiaceae (mint family)

Type

Herbaceous perennial

Parts used

Leaves and flowering tops

Size

1 to 2 feet tall

Bloom

Summer, midsummer into early autumn

Habitat

Woodland edges, hedgerows, and grassy meadows across Europe

Acquisition

Grow or buy

Traditional remedies in HerbSense

Key benefits

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Traditional calming nervine

Eases occasional headaches

Supports easy digestion

Traditional wound wash

Traditional uses

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Betony carried a reputation in old Europe that bordered on the miraculous. Anglo-Saxon healers listed it among their most trusted herbs, and a well-known Italian saying urged people to 'sell your coat and buy betony,' a nod to how highly its protective, restorative powers were once regarded. Herbalists through the centuries turned to its leaves and flowering tops as a calming nervine for frazzled nerves and tension headaches, as a gentle bitter to settle the stomach after a heavy meal, and as a wash for minor cuts and scrapes. It found its way into monastery gardens and cottage plots alike, always close at hand for whatever ailment the day brought.

Growing guide

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Sun

Full sun to partial shade

Soil

Ordinary, well-drained garden soil; tolerates poor soil once established

Water

Moderate and even moisture, especially while young; established plants handle brief dry spells

Planting

Sow seed in autumn or spring, or divide established clumps in spring; space plants about 12 inches apart in a border or cottage garden bed

Fresh to dried

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Harvest

Cut the leafy flowering tops just as the purple-pink blooms open, on a dry morning after the dew has lifted

Drying

Tie small bundles and hang them upside down in a warm, airy, shaded spot until the leaves crumble easily, or spread on screens for faster drying

Storage

Store fully dried leaf and flower in an airtight glass jar away from light and heat; use within a year for the best flavor and strength

Best forms

Dried leaf and flower for tea, or fresh leaves for a quick poultice

Traditional preparations

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Featured preparation

Calming Betony Tea

A traditional infusion herbalists turned to at the end of a long day, sipped to ease tension and settle a busy mind.

How it's made. Traditionally, a tea is made by steeping 1 teaspoon of the dried leaf and flower in 250 ml of just-boiled water for 10 minutes, then strained and sipped warm.

Secondary preparation

After-Meal Digestive Infusion

A milder cup traditionally taken following a rich meal to encourage easy digestion.

How it's made. Steep 1/2 teaspoon of dried betony in 250 ml of hot water for 5 to 8 minutes, strain, and drink slowly after eating.

Pairs well with

✦Chamomile
✦Lemon Balm
✦Lavender

Substitutes

✦Skullcap
✦Vervain

Choose it when

“For the evening when your thoughts won't settle and the day needs a gentle close.”

Did you know?

Medieval households scattered betony leaves in the belief they warded off bad dreams and evil spirits, and the plant was so trusted as a cure-all that an old proverb claimed one should sell their coat just to afford it.

Safety

Wood betony tea is generally gentle, but it should be avoided during pregnancy due to a traditional uterine-stimulating effect, and it may add to the effects of sedative medications.