Lamiaceae
Betony
Stachys betonica
✓ Generally Safe
Caution in Pregnancy
Native to: Europe, Western Asia, North Africa
Also known as: Wood Betony, Bishop's Wort, Betony, Purple Betony
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
LeafFlower
Therapeutic Uses
Tension headaches (especially digestive origin), nervous exhaustion, anxiety with digestive complaints, neuralgia, convalescence. Traditional 'headache herb' of European medicine. Specific for head-related nervous complaints.
Herbal Actions
Nervine, bitter tonic, astringent, analgesic (head), digestive tonic, sedative (mild)
Active Constituents
Iridoids (harpagide, aucubin), alkaloids (betonicine, turicine, stachydrine), tannins, phenylethanoid glycosides, betaines
Preparation Methods
☕ Herbal Tea🏺 Tincture
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | 2 tsp dried herb per 250ml, steep 10 min, 3x daily |
| Tincture | 2–4 ml (1:5, 40% ethanol), 3x daily |
| Notes | Particularly effective for digestive headaches and those arising from nervous tension. Best fresh-dried herb. Combine with meadowsweet for headaches with gastric component, with skullcap for tension headaches. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✓ Generally Safe
Pregnancy
Caution in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
None known
Contraindications: Avoid high doses in pregnancy (emmenagogue). No significant drug interactions.
Side Effects: Mild GI upset. Generally very well tolerated.