Eggarton Cottages, Eggarton Lane, Godmersham, Kent, CT4 7DY
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Member of the Mint family. Hardy perennial, growing to a height of 45 cm (17.5 ins). Also known as Bishop�s Wort. Common in woodlands and clearings. Known in Wales as St Bride�s Comb. Very attractive to bees and butterflies. Spikes of tubular purple flowers. Betony also yields a yellow dye. Its name comes from the Celtic �bew� = head and �ton� = good for headaches.
Found throughout England and Wales but not usually Scotland or Ireland, in grasslands and woodland margins. Rare wildflower in Scotland except for the south.
Was often grown in monastery gardens.
Antonius Musa, physician to Emperor Augustus, said the plant cured 47 disorders. Alleged that a decoction made with wine and gargled will ease toothache. Medieval men believed it would ward off evil spirits if indoors. If worn in a hat it will ward off witches. Betony was also an important herb in ancient Egypt and Anglo-Saxon times because of its alleged magical and medicinal properties. Indeed, the Anglo-Saxons revered it as their most potent magical herb, claiming it deterred Elf sickness. The Romans also valued it in a lot of their remedies. It was used in the eighteenth-century to relieve headache and as a snuff. Eleventh-century herbals claimed it to be effective against hallucinations. It was often grown in monastery gardens to cure all manner of illnesses.
A hair rinse can be made from an infusion of the leaves and is good for highlighting grey hair. The dried leaves can be used as a tea substitute. Stimulates circulation and calms nerves. Leaves were mixed with Marjoram, Orris root and Eyebright into a powder and taken as a snuff for headaches. Leaves would also be mixed with tobacco and smoked. Old folk wisdom claims wounded harts would eat Betony to heal themselves. Seeds chewed or made into a broth were taken for shortness of breath. Plant was dried to produce a herbal tobacco. It was believed that if fresh leaves were eaten before a drinking bout then you wouldn�t get drunk.
Betony will protect from visions and dreams. It was used in amulets with Peony and Wormwood to ward off evil spirits. It was also grown in churchyards for the same reason. Snakes will fight and kill each other if surrounded by a circle of Betony. Druids burnt Betony at midsummer solstice to purify and protect. Add Betony to the food of quarrelling lovers to reunite them. Smelling Betony will improve memory. Betony has been prescribed for animals suffering from gastritis, arthritis, rheumatism, sciatica, blisters and abscesses.
Plant out in autumn or spring, any soil, although the plant does prefer low-fertility soil. However, if you live in a particularly dry area it may be better to plant out in September so that the plant gets lots of rain to help it become established.
Likes sun or partial shade.
Flowers June to September. Birds like the seeds. Pollinated by bees, wasps and short-tongued flies. Peppered moth caterpillars eat the leaves. Food plant of Speckled Yellow butterfly. Cut flower spikes late autumn.
*This sheet is provided for information only and is in no way a prescription for use. Please seek the advice of a qualified herbalist before using*