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Betony

Stachys officinalis

Family: Lamiaceae
syn: Stachys betonica, Betonica officinale
Lus Bheathag, Epiaire Vulgaire, Bishopwort, Betoniye, Betonica, Betoine
Pourpre, Bathenien
Spread: West Asia to Britain
Good bee and butterfly plant
Grows to about 1 meter
Hardy perennial to USDA zone 5
Contains tannins and alkaloids
Flowers magenta or white, arranged in false whorls (verticillasters)
interspersed by sessile floral leaves forming an interrupted spike.
Leaves crenate to dentate in basal rosettes
The leaves hardly form a comb, but dog toothed and red/white flowered
plants could be considered sacred to the Triple Goddess Bride from whom St
Bridget descended and who is associated with -

Healing
Betony is used medicinally for:
internally
Headaches, anxiety, neuralgia, sinusitus, catarrh, gastritus, poor
digestion, hypertension.
externally
Wounds, bruises, ulcers, sore throat, gum inflammation.

Childbirth
Betony is an ecbolic in excessive doses, it is also used internally for
menopausal problems.

Spinning
The whorls of flowers on the stem could resemble wool on a spindle, and a
yellow dye for wool from the leaves.

Enchantment
Often grown in churchyards, or hung around the neck as an amulet or charm
against evil spirits.

It is interesting that Sorbus aucuparia with it's white flowers, red
berries and roughly serrate leaves is also associated with Brigid and like
Betony was considered a protective plant against evil
influences/enchantment, and has herbal uses for feminine troubles - both
have a history of use in alcoholic beverages, that the fresh leaves of
Betony have an intoxicating effect - perhaps similar to diterpenes from
other Lamiaceae: Salvia divinorum etc.? - might explain it's use in
Egyptian magic; Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) smoke was used for divination
(Betony mixed with Eyebright and Coltsfoot may be smoked as a headache
remedy, powdered it is used in herbal snuffs - "Rowley's British Herb
Snuff" was famous for headaches). Dragons/snakes are said to be effected by
both plants.

Bishops officiated at the Candlemas St. Brides fires, but whether this or
Betony's use in liver conditions and gout promoted the name Bishop's wort
is speculation.

Sorry if this is a bit scattered and confusing !

Oh - yes it likes deep, well drained, fertile, neutral to acid soil in a
sunny to partially shady position.

Best wishes,
Matt Sleigh
http://b-and-t-world-seeds.com/
Paguignan, Olonzac, France
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