Stachys officinalis
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| Stachys officinalis L. |
Stachys officinalis, commonly known as Purple betony, Wood betony or Bishop's wort, is a perennial grassland herb growing to 70cm tall. Its leaves are stalked on upright stems, narrowly oval, with a heart-shaped base, with a somewhat wrinkled texture and toothed margins. The calyx is 5-7mm long, with 5 teeth, edged with bristles. The corolla 1-1.5cm long. Its upper lip flat, almost straight when seen from the side. The anthers stick straight out. It flowers in mid summer from July to September, and is found in dry grassland, meadows and open woods in most of Europe, western Asia and North Africa. In the British Isles it is common in England and Wales, but rare in Ireland and northern Scotland.
[edit] In folklore
The name betony is alleged to derive from the Celtic word bewton ("good for the head"). The first reference to it occurs in a work by the Roman physician Antonius Musa, who claimed it as effective against sorcery. Later it was claimed to be effective against snake and dog bites, and against drunkenness. It was planted in churchyards to prevent activity by ghosts.
Nicholas Culpeper states that, astrologically, betony is ruled by Jupiter and Aries.
[edit] Herbal medicine
Modern herbalists prescribe betony to treat anxiety, gallstones, heartburn, high blood pressure, Migraine and Neuralgia, and to prevent sweating. It can also be used as an ointment for cuts and sores. Not all of these uses are supported by scientific evidence.
[edit] References
- Howard, Michael. Traditional Folk Remedies (century 1987), p104.
- Lippert, W. & Podlech, D. Wildflowers of Britain & Europe. Collins Nature Guides 1994.
