Botanic Name

Betonica officinalis

Common Name

Wood Betony, Bishopwort ¹

Family

Labiatae

Parts Used

Dried aerial parts

Habitat

Woods and thickets throughout Britain and Europe except in the north ²

Constituents

Alkaloids (including betonicine, stachydrine, trigonelline) ²

Tannins ²

Actions

Tonifying circulatory stimulant for the cerebral and head area ^{2 3}

Relaxant ² Sedative ⁴

Bitter stimulant to digestion ^{2 4}

Astringent ²

Nervine Tonic ⁴

Applications

Dyspepsia ³

Chronic rheumatism with sciatica ³

Ischaemic headache ^{3 4 2}

Hysteria, pains in the head and face, neuralgias ^{3 4}

Lack of concentration forgetful ³

Nervous debility ⁴

Anxiety and tension ⁴

Sinus and/or other congestion in the head ²

Gastritis and poor digestion of debility ²

Dosage

Tincture 2-6 mls tds ⁴

MEDIUM Dose Herb

Combinations

For nervous headache with Scutellaria lateriflora ⁴

With Cimicifuga racemosa for sclerotic changes ³

C/I Cautions

BHP S/I

Headache in neurasthenia ⁵