Betony - Stachys/Betonica officinalis (in the Lamiaceae or Mint family)
Part used: Aerial parts in the bud stage.
Taste/smell: Slight bitterness.
Tendencies: Cooling.
Dosage: Infusion: 1 heaping teaspoon per cup of water; or 1:1 fresh plant or 1:5 dry plant liquid extract: 10-30 drops 1-4 times per day in a little water.
Mental picture and specific indications: Betony has an affinity for persons who are non-assertive, lack interest in the world and have a sense of not being "grounded." An emphasis is on gastro-intestinal irritability and a lack of cerebral circulation causing ischemia and pain.
Use: (a) Nervine, (b) Stomachic.
It is used as a gentle stimulating tonic with emphasis upon the cerebral circulation and neuralgic and ischemic conditions affecting the head. Betony is indicated for gastro-intestinal irritability, chronic rheumatism, sciatica, ischemic headaches, strokes and pains in the head and face.
Contraindications: Information unavailable at this time.
Copyright 1999 by Sharol Tilgner, N.D. (ISBN 1-881517-02-0) - all rights reserved.
Used with permission of author.
