Betony

Scientific Name(s): Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl, Stachys officinalis (L.) Trevisan.
Common Name(s): Betony, Bishop's wort, Common hedge nettle, Purple betony, Wood betony

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 31, 2021.

Clinical Overview

Use

Experimental or clinical studies to support the many traditional uses ascribed to betony are limited. Antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects have been demonstrated in animal or in vitro studies only.

Dosing

Aerial wood betony tea at a dose of 5 g per 100 mL 3 times daily for 3 months was found to be as effective as medroxyprogesterone in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Contraindications

Contraindications have not yet been identified.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Avoid use; documented adverse effects.

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

Dyspepsia is the only adverse effect associated with the genus Stachys.

Toxicology

Overdosage may cause stomach irritation.

Scientific Family

• Lamiaceae (mint)

Botany

Betony is a square-stemmed, mat-forming perennial of the mint family. It is distributed widely throughout western and southern Europe. It has a rosette of hairy leaves and a dense terminal spike of pink, white, or purple flowers that bloom from June to September. The plant reaches a height of 1 m, and the aboveground parts are dried and used medicinally. It is native to Europe and is often cultivated as a garden ornamental.Duke 1989, USDA 2014 S. lavandulifolia is used commonly in Iran.Jalilian 2013

History

The use of betony has been known since the ancient Roman Empire, during which it was considered a panacea for a wide variety of diseases. In the Middle Ages, the plant was ascribed magical powers and continues to be used in traditional medicine today. A weak infusion is sometimes taken as a tea, and it is also used as an astringent to treat diarrhea and as a gargle or tea for irritations of the mouth and throat. It has been used to treat anxiety and has been given as a tincture or smoked for the treatment of headaches. The name "betony" may be derived from the Celtic form of bew (a head) and ton (good).Chevallier 1996, Duke 1989

Chemistry

Betony contains about 15% tannins, which account for its astringency. It also contains stachydrine, oxystachydrine, caffeoylquinic, caffeic, chlorogenic and rosmarinic acids, achillein, betaine, betonicin, choline, harpagide, and turicine. A report lists 6 phenylethanoid glycosides from the aerial parts of the plant. Sesquiterpenes, flavonoids, and hydrocarbons have been identified.Duke 1989, Lazarević 2013, Miyase 1996

Uses and Pharmacology

Experimental or clinical studies to support the many traditional uses ascribed to betony are limited.

Anti-inflammatory

Animal data

Extracts of the aerial plant parts showed anti-inflammatory activity in the carrageenan paw edema model in rats.Háznagy-Radnai 2012

Clinical data

Research reveals no clinical data regarding the potential anti-inflammatory effects of betony.

Antimicrobial

Animal data

In vitro studies suggest the essential oil of S. officinalis may have antifungal efficacy against Aspergillus and Candida albicans.Lazarević 2013