Wood Betony (Stachys Officianlis)

A medicinal herb with nervine, digestive and mildly astringent herbal actions. 

Traditionally used as a to relax and calm the nervous system, ease anxiety and help relieve tension and improve sleep. Betony is also a traditional 'wound wort' and was applied to cuts and bruises. 

Betony was considered a cure-all in Ancient Rome, believed to be able to cure at 47 diseases according to Antonius Musa, personal physician to Emperor Augustus. Pliny believed jhust the presence of the herb could shield the household from danger. 

The name betony stems from the Celtic, bew ton, meaning good head. suggesting it was used to heal either wounds of the head, or headache or mental disturbances. In Anglo-Saxon times is was believed to protect sleepers from malevolent spirits that enter dreams. 

Use betony in spells of dream protection and in amulets to protect travellers against misfortune.

25g