Wood betony
Stachys officinalis
Other names: Betony, bishopwort, bishop's wort, Betonica officinalis (syn.), Stachys betonica (syn.)
Photo credit: Radio Tonreg / Wikimedia Commons
Safety information
Safety information
Toxicity: Low at traditional tea doses; tannin content (large/prolonged use may cause GI upset). Limited safety data.
Contraindications: Pregnancy — avoid (traditionally regarded as a uterine stimulant/emmenagogue); lactation (insufficient data); known hypersensitivity.
Interactions: Theoretical additive sedation with CNS depressants and additive hypotensive effect (folk hypotensive reputation); tannins may reduce absorption of iron/some drugs taken together — separate dosing.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Avoid (uterine stimulant/emmenagogue reputation).
Evidence level
Reported in folk medicine sources; not clinically validated. Folk and historical sources have not been validated by clinical research.
Preparations
infusion · aerial parts
Part used: aerial parts
Traditional use: nervine/relaxant for tension headaches, nervous exhaustion, mild sedation(Folk and historical sources have not been validated by clinical research.)
Proposed mechanism: phenylethanoid glycosides (betonyoside); tannins
Associated conditions
Nutritional notes
Not a food source
Healing traditions
Sources (3)
- Betony, Wood — A Modern Herbal (Grieve) (EN)
- Stachys officinalis — The Naturopathic Herbalist (EN)
- Stachys officinalis, wood betony — research overview (EN)