Betonica officinalis Labiatae
Names: Bishopswort, Betony, Stachys betonica.
Habitat: Europe including Britain, in open woods, hedge banks,
grasslands and heaths.
Collection: The aerial parts should be dried carefully
in the sun.
Part Used: Dried aerial parts.
Constituents:
- Alkaloids; stachydrine and betonicine
- Miscellaneous; betaine, choline, tannins.
Actions: Nervine, bitter.
Indications: Betony gently tones and strengthens the nervous
system whilst also has a relaxing action. If finds used in nervous
debility associated with anxiety and tension.
It will ease headaches and neuralgia when they are
of nervous origin, but especially those caused by hypertension.
Combinations: For the treatment of nervous headache it
combines well with Skullcap. In hypertensive headaches use in combination with appropriate hypotensives.
Preparations & Dosage: Infusion: pour a cup of boiling
water onto l-2 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and leave to infuse
for l0-l5 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day. Tincture: take 2-6 ml of the tincture three times a day.
