Betony herb and recipes

This attractive plant is native to Europe and still found growing wild in Britain. Betony certainly merits inclusion in the herb garden, but is thought by some to be one of the plant world's frauds. There are so many conflicting stories, all of which are well worth hearing. I leave it to you to decide what is fact or fiction. The Ancient Egyptians were the first to attribute magical properties to betony. In England, by the 10th century, the Anglo-Saxons had it as their most important magical plant, claiming it as effective against the Elf sickness. In the 11th century it was mentioned in the Lacnunga as a beneficial medicinal plant against the Devilish affliction of the body. Later, Gerard wrote in his Herbal, 'Betony is good for them that be subject to the falling sickness,' and went on to describe its many virtues, one of them being 'a remedy against the biting of mad dogs and venomous serpents'. In the 18th century it was still considered of use in the cure of diverse inflictions, including headaches and drawing out splinters, as well as being used, in herbal tobacco and snuff. Today, betony retains an important place in folk medicine even though its true value is seriously questioned. We owe the name to the Romans, who called the herb first Bettonica and then Betonica.

Species

Stachys officinalis

Betony

Hardy perennial. Ht 60cm (24in) spread 25cm (l0in). Dense spikes of pink or purple flowers end spring through summer. Square hairy stems bear aromatic, slightly hairy, round, lobed leaves.

Stachys officinalis 'Alba'

White betony

Hardy perennial. Ht 60cm (24in) spread 25cm (10in). White flowers end-spring through summer.

Cultivation

Propagation

Seed

Grows readily from seed, which it produces in abundance. Sow late summer or spring in planting position and cover very lightly with soil. Alternatively, sow seeds in trays and prick out seedlings into small pots when large enough to handle.

Division

Divide roots of established plants in spring or autumn, replant at a distance of 30cm (12in) from oilier plants. Alternatively pot up using the bark, peat mix of compost.

Pests and Diseases

Apart from the occasional caterpillar, this plant is pest and disease free.

Maintenance

Spring: Sow seeds. Divide established plains.

Summer: Plain out spring seedlings.

Autumn: Cut back flowering stems, save seeds, divide established plants.

Winter: No protection needed.

Garden cultivation

A very accommodating plant, it will tolerate most soils, but prefers some humus. Flourishes in sun or shade, in fact it will put up with all but the deepest of shade. A wild plant, but it has for centuries been grown in cottage gardens. In the wild flower garden it is a very colorful participant and establishes well either in a mixed bed or in grassland. It is also excellent for the woodland garden.

Harvest

Collect leaves for drying before flowering in late spring/early summer. Use leaves fresh either side of flowering. Pick flowers for drying and for use in potpourris just as they open. Collect through flowering season to use fresh. Save seed in early autumn. Store in dry, dark container.

Container growing

Betony grows to great effect in half a beer barrel and combines well with other wild flowers e.g. poppies, oxeye daisy, chamomile. I do not advise it for growing indoors or in small containers.

Other uses

The fresh plant provides a yellow dye. A hair rinse, good for highlighting greying hair, can be made from an infusion of the leaves.

Medicinal

Today opinions differ as to its value. Some authorities consider it is only an astringent while others believe it is a sedative. It is however now chiefly employed in herbal smoking mixtures and herbal snuffs. As an infusional powder, it is used to treat diarrhoea, cystitis, asthma and neuralgia. Betony tea is invigorating, particularly if prepared in a mixture with other herbs. In France it is recommended for liver and gall bladder complaints.