Wood Betony
Botanical Description & Habitat
Stachys officinalis
Family
Labiatae
Common names
Betony
Bishop wort
Loosewort
Purple betony
Habitat
Found in Europe, northern Africa, and western Siberia
Description
It is a perennial plant which grows in woods, meadows, and along forest paths. A woody, brown root produces a hairy, slightly branched stem. Wood betony grows from 6 to 24 inches in height. The leaves are opposite, hairy, and deep green. The flowers are red-purple, grow in oblong spikes, and bloom from June to August.
Medicinal parts
Flowering herb - dried, collected in July
Historical Properties & Uses
Wood betony is mentioned in European herbal books as far back as the 1600's. Since that time it has been one of the favorite herbal relaxants and headache remedies of Europe and America.
The native Americans did not use it except to reduce swellings, but the eclectics used it as a tonic, sedative, astringent and vulnerary (wound healer). It was and still is used in treating diarrhea and irritations of throat and mouth.
Scientific validation of the properties of wood betony are not abundant. The hypotensive and choleretic properties of betony have been verified. Astringent properties, including the treatment of diarrhea and irritations of the mucous membranes, are undoubtedly due to the wood betony's high tannin content (up 15%).
Method of Action
Wood Betony Has Hypotensive Properties
An investigation of the glycosides of wood betony discovered both the glycoside complex and the individual fractions have significant hypotensive activity. This may explain, at least partially, the herbs effectiveness in relieving headache, anxiety, and some forms of pain.
Betony Species Have Choleretic Activity
When injected into the duodenum of rats, some species of betony stimulate hepatic bile secretion. The effects last up to 8 hours. Compared to other choleretic substances, the betony has average activity.
Betony Has Astringent Properties
The astringency of wood betony is due to a high (15%) content of tannic acid. The antidiarrheal and counterirritant properties are due to this astringency.
Drug Interactions & Precautions
There is presently insufficient data on this subject.
Safety Factors & Toxicity
Although there is little documentation, betony could cause GI diustress.
Betony polyphenols have been toxic to animals.
Betony is contraindicated during pregnancy.
Reference:
The Lawrence Review of Natural Products. Jan,1990.
Preparation & Administration
Three times a day
Dried herb
2-4 grams
Tea
made from 1 tsp of dried herb
Fluid extract
1:1 in 25% alcohol: 2-4 ml
Tincture
1:5 in 45% alcohol: 3-6 ml
Note: This Herbal Preparation information is a summary of data from books and articles by various authors. It is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals.
References
Am Hospital Formulary Service. Am Soc of Hosp Pharm. Wash, D.C.
Bressler, R., M.D. Bogdonoff & G.J. Subak-Sharpe. 1981. The Physicians Drug Manual. Doubleday & Co, Inc. Garden City, NY. 1213 pp.
Committee on Pharmocopaeia of the Am Institute of Homeopathy, The Homeopathic Pharmacopaeia of the United States. 8th ed., Vol 1. Otis Clapp and Son, Agents, Boston, l981.
Goodman, L.S. & A. Gilman. 1975. Pharm Basis of Thera. MacMillan, NY.
Hansten, P.D. 1979. Drug Interactions, 4th ed. Lea & Febiger, Phila.
Hyde, F. British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Brit Herb Med Assoc: England, 1983
Kastrup, E.K., ed. 1981. Drug Facts and Comparisons, 1982 edition. Facts and Comparisions Division, J.P. Lippincott Co, Phila (St. Louis).
The Lawrence Review of Natural Products. Jan,1990.
List, P. & L. Hoerhammer. 1969-1976. Hagers Hanbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, vols. 2-5. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
Martin, E.W. 1978. Drug Interactions Index, 1978/79. J.B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia.
Mowrey, Daniel B., Ph.D. Exper. Psych., Brigham Young University. Director of Nebo Institute of Herbal Sciences. Director of Behavior Change Agent Training Institute. Director of Research, Nova Corp.
Pasechnik, I.K., T.V. Zinchenko & V.Y. Gorodinskaya. Choleratic properties of flavonoids of stachys recta and stachys neglecta. Farm. Zhurnal (Kiev), 26(3), 64-69, 1971.
Scientific Committee, British Herbal Pharmocopaeia, British Herbal Med Assoc, Lane House, Cowling, Na Keighley, West Yorks, Bd Bd220lx, l983.
Zinchenko, T.V. & I.M. Fefer. Investigations of glycosides from betonica officinalis. Farmatsevt. Zhurnal (Kiev), 17(3), 35-38, 1962.
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