Wood Betony: An Herb for Head and Face Pain which treats Nerves and Stomach too

[tcmgpt13]

I have been searching for an herb and formula which may help us with head pain, something which lately has been plaguing me. I have found an herb, Wood Betony or Stachys officinales, which may help this problem as it considered specific for pain in the head and face. It is also considered to be a nervine which may help the digestive system. I am especially interested in this herb as it is reputed to help move blockages in both the liver and spleen areas, both organ systems which IMHO are target areas for groups of the morgellons parasites. It is an anthemintic herb and I have found it included in commercial herbal worming formulas. I think a lot of the nausea I experience is because these parasites may block these areas of the body. I use the word liver in the TCM sense which means this would also include the gall bladder. These two organs would be seen as paired with the stomach as far as functioning together in harmony. Any disharmony in these three organ systems could create some of the symptoms I believe that many with Morgellons experience such as nausea, headache, heartburn and indigestion. This herb may also be considered an alterative as it is believed to help cleanse the blood. There is one formula which says it may help with snake and insect bites. Other listed uses are for pre-menstrual pain, poor memory, rheumatism, stomach cramps, flu, colds and gout. These suggested uses originate from known folk uses of this herb, not necessarily those noted by formal scientific study.

Wood Betony is a cooling herb, but I have found a simple formula which balances this herb with rosemany (warming) and peppermint (also a cooling herb). Michael Tierra’s book Planetary herbology classifies wood betany as a nervine. Dr. Christopher’s book School of Natural Healing mentions that this herb is also reputed to have anthelmintic (worming) properties. Tierra's book says it acts on the liver and heart meridians. He discusses using this herb with boiled milk for chronic headaches. Dosage would be 10-30 drops tincture, 2 or 3 x per day. When I use herbs I always start with the lowest suggested dose and work my way up to the maximum dose, if needed. This herb sounds like something I want to try for my recent bouts with head pain. Here is the simple formula for Nervous Headache from the Christopher book:

1 ounce wood betony
1 ounce rosemary
1 ounce peppermint

Mix the herbs together.

Pour 1 quart boiling water over the herbs (do not use aluminum pan as herbs are acidic), cover tightly to retain oils from the herbs, and let cool. Strain and sweeten to taste with honey.

Suggested dosage: 3 tablespoonsful every 2 hours until headache is relieved. Then take 4 times daily.

Be sure to refrigerate for storage. I use glass jars to store my herbal brew. If the lid is metal be sure to put some wax paper over the glass area before putting on the lid or the metal toxins may drop into the herbs. Use within two to three days or throw out the rest (herbs can get moldy unless made into tinctures, if spoiling there will be little bubbles around the edge of the container).

Any herb and/or formula which worsens symptoms greatly should be stopped. Herbs are like people, you like some, some you can take or leave and others you cannot take at all. I have listed a few more sources which discuss Wood Betony. Also my TCM herbalists have suggested that I never take herbs close to using my Western drugs, but space them apart at least by two hours.

One important caution is not to use this herb during pregnancy.

More suggested uses from other sources follow:

Wood Betony************************** Stachys officinales

Wood Betony Stachys officinales

‘It is good for a man’s soul or body; it shields him against visions and dreams” Translation c 9th century

Actions : Sedative, bitter digestive, mild diuretic, nervine, circulatory tonic particularly for the cerebral circulation, astringent

Constituents : Alkaloids, tannins, saponins

Indications : The most important Anglo Saxon herb, wood betony had no fewer than 29 uses in treating physical diseases and was also possibly the most popular amulet herb, used well into the Middle Ages to ward off evil or ill humors. Take low doses of the infusion (1 teaspoon per cup) as a relaxing and tonic herb for general use; take in therapeutic doses for menstrual pain, migraines, nervous tension or as a digestive stimulant and cleanser; during difficult or painful labor drink hot infusion; use the tincture as the infusion, it is especially useful for nervous headaches and combines well with lavender; use tincture as a cleanser in toxic and arthritic conditions; apply a poultice of pounded fresh herb to wounds and bruises; use the infusion as a wash and bathe leg ulcers and infected wounds; use the infusion as a mouthwash/gargle for mouth ulcers, gum inflammations and sore throats; macerate 50g herb with 25g each of vervain and hyssop in 75cl white wine for two weeks, take quarter-cup doses for nervous headaches and tension.

Traditional Folklore

Folk Names : Bishopwort, Lousewort, Purple Betony

Uses : Long used as a protective and purifactory herb, placed under pillow for good dreams; traditional on Midsummer to burn on bonfire and jump through smoke for purification; grown in gardens and scattered around property to protect the home; carried and used to attract love.

!!Caution : The herb is a uterine stimulant so avoid in pregnancy; may be taken safely in labor.

Stachys officinalis

Medicinal Uses
Disclaimer

Anthelmintic; Antiseptic; Astringent; Carminative; Cathartic; Cholagogue; Digestive; Diuretic; Emetic; Emmenagogue; Expectorant; Homeopathy; Nervine; Sedative; Sternutatory; Tonic; Vulnerary.

Wood betony was at one time commonly used as a medicinal plant in the treatment of a wide range of disorders, especially as a nervine and tonic for treating maladies of the head and as an external application to wounds[4, 7, 238]. It also stimulates the digestive system and the liver, having an overall tonic effect upon the body[254]. Wood betony is much less used nowadays, and more often forms part of a mixture of herbs[4].

The whole plant is collected when in flower in the summer and can be dried for later use[4, 254]. It is anthelmintic, antiseptic, astringent, carminative, mildly cathartic, cholagogue, digestive, diuretic, mildly emetic, emmenagogue, expectorant, nervine, sedative, sternutatory, tonic and vulnerary[4, 9, 14, 21, 165, 218]. It is taken in the treatment of 'frayed nerves', pre-menstrual complaints, poor memory and tension[254]. It can be taken in combination with herbs such as comfrey, Symphytum officinale, and lime flowers, Tilia species, to treat sinus headaches and congestion[254]. Wood betony can be taken on its own, or with yarrow, Achillea millefolium, to staunch nosebleeds[254].

A pinch of the powdered herb will provoke violent sneezing and it has been used as part of a herbal snuff mixture in the treatment of headaches[4].

A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh plant[9]. It is used in the treatment of asthma and excessive perspiration[9].

[Robin]

Hey TCM,
THANKS! once again.like you i am experiencing a very deep constant thruout my eyes and right in front of my scalp.it feels so deeply imbedded andwill let up a little at times but no matter what i've tried it never fully subsides i will try this when i find what i need to make my witches brew lol
xo Robin

[carla]

Thanks TC ,
I will give it go too. I have Wild Mint in my back yard.
Would that do? Or is it a totally different thing altogether?
carla xx

[tcmgpt13]

I found this information about wild mint online Carla. Although it shares a few properties medicinally with peppermint, it does not seem to be as strong in its actions, especially in the digestive areas. Also peppermint is not astringent in its action which could counter the astringency of the Wood Betany found in the Dr. Christopher formula. Two astringent herbs in the same formula might be too drying in effect.

botanical.com - A Modern Herbal | Mints

"MINT, WILD
Botanical: Mentha sativa (LINN.)
Family: N.O. Labiatae

* Description
* Medicinal Action

---Synonyms---Water or Marsh Mint. Whorled Mint. Hairy Mint.
---Part Used---Herb.
---Habitat---Common in Britain and found all over temperate and Northern Europe and Russian Asia.

---Description---A rather coarse perennial 1 to 1 1/2 feet high; leaves conspicuously stalked, ovate or oval-ovate, or oval-rounded or wedge-shaped at the base, subacute or acute serrate or crenate serrate, more or less hairy on both sides; flowers in whorls, usually all separate, beginning about or below the middle of the stem; bracts large, similar to leaves, sometimes the upper ones minute, uppermost ones often without flowers; bracteoles strap-shaped, subulate, hairy, shorter than flowers; pedicels hairy, rarely glabrous; calyx hairy, campanulate-cylindrical; teeth triangular, acuminate, half the length of tube, bristly, hairy; corolla scarcely twice as long as the calyx, hairy without and within; nucules rough with small points.

---Medicinal and Other Uses---The herb is considered to have emetic, stimulant, and astringent qualities, and is used in diarrhoea and as an emmenagogue. The infusion of 1 OZ. of the dried herb to 1 pint of boiling water is taken in wineglassful doses.

This source, in the section about making peppermint essential oil states that:... "the type form of M. arvensis [that is wild mint], growing wild in Great Britain, has an odour so different from Peppermint that it has to be carefully removed from the field lest it should spoil the flavour of the Peppermint oil when the herb is distilled."

So it seems there are some real differences between wild mint and peppemint, and probably the greatest, apart from odor, is the medicinal strength of peppermint against wild mint. I have only copied the medicinal uses of peppermint below. To read more about this herb see the above link. Peppermint is mentioned in another herbal book as treating migraine. This same book mentions that if a person is extremely cold and pale make a drink of strong peppermint tea.

PEPPERMINT

Botanical: Mentha piperita (SM.)
Family: N.O. Labiatae

"--Medicinal Action and Uses---Peppermint oil is the most extensively used of all the volatile oils, both medicinally and commercially. The characteristic anti-spasmodic action of the volatile oil is more marked in this than in any other oil, and greatly adds to its power of relieving pains arising in the alimentary canal.

From its stimulating, stomachic and carminative properties, it is valuable in certain forms of dyspepsia, being mostly used for flatulence and colic. It may also be employed for other sudden pains and for cramp in the abdomen; wide use is made of Peppermint in cholera and diarrhoea.

It is generally combined with other medicines when its stomachic effects are required, being also employed with purgatives to prevent griping. Oil of Peppermint allays sickness and nausea, and is much used to disguise the taste of unpalatable drugs, as it imparts its aromatic characteristics to whatever prescription it enters into. It is used as an infants' cordial.

The oil itself is often given on sugar and added to pills, also a spirit made from the oil, but the preparation in most general use is Peppermint Water, which is the oil and water distilled together.

Peppermint Water and spirit of Peppermint are official preparations of the British Pharmacopoeia.

In flatulent colic, spirit of Peppermint in hot water is a good household remedy, also the oil given in doses of one or two drops on sugar.

Peppermint is good to assist in raising internal heat and inducing perspiration, although its strength is soon exhausted. In slight colds or early indications of disease, a free use of Peppermint tea will, in most cases, effect a cure, an infusion of 1 ounce of the dried herb to a pint of boiling water being employed, taken in wineglassful doses; sugar and milk may be added if desired.

An infusion of equal quantities of Peppermint herb and Elder flowers (to which either Yarrow or Boneset may be added) will banish a cold or mild attack of influenza within thirty-six hours, and there is no danger of an overdose or any harmful action on the heart. Peppermint tea is used also for palpitation of the heart.

In cases of hysteria and nervous disorders, the usefulness of an infusion of Peppermint has been found to be well augmented by the addition of equal quantities of Wood Betony, its operation being hastened by the addition to the infusion of a few drops of tincture of Caraway."

Dr. Christopher's School of Natural Healing states that peppermint is the most pungent plant of the mint family. It does share the emmenagogue (stimulates blood flow in the pelvic area, and may start menstruation) qualities of the wild mint. This herb is an antispasmodic herb and assists in digestion. It helps to strengthen the heart (as noted by the above source it may also help heart palpatations, a frequent problem in those with morgellons) and the nerves. It promotes relaxation and sleep both.

Peppermint is never boiled as the oils in it are quite delicate. It is best drunk warm.

This next is just to add a bit about the herb Rosemary. It is quite helpful to the hair and is sometimes used in shampoos for dandruff or hair loss. It is also made into a hair rinse. Be careful though as unless the hair is dark it can temporarily darken hair. According to another herbal book rosemary is astringent too, so again I think I would use real peppermint in this formula (wood betony, rosemary, and peppermint). Using wild mint instead of peppermint would mean that all three herbs in the formula had astringent properties making it too strongly astringent.

Rosemary - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Medicinal use

Hungary Water was first prepared for the Queen of Hungary to "renovate vitality of paralysed limbs" and to treat gout. It was used externally and prepared by mixing fresh rosemary tops into spirits of wine.[3]

Don Quixote (Chapter XVII, 1st volume) mixes it in his recipe of the miraculous balm of Fierabras with revolting results.

Rosemary has a very old reputation for improving memory, and has been used as a symbol for remembrance (during weddings, war commemorations and funerals) in Europe, probably as a result of this reputation.[citation needed] Mourners would throw it into graves as a symbol of remembrance for the dead. In Shakespeare's Hamlet, Ophelia says, "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance." One modern study lends some credence to this reputation. When the smell of rosemary was pumped into cubicles where people were working, those people showed improved memory, though with slower recall.[4]

Another study indicated that carnosic acid, found in rosemary, may shield the brain from free radicals, lowering the risk of strokes and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Lou Gehrig's.[5]

Rosemary contains a number of potentially biologically active compounds, including antioxidants such as carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid. Other bioactive compounds include caffeic acid, ursolic acid, betulinic acid, rosmaridiphenol, and rosmanol.

Health Precautions: Rosemary in culinary or therapeutic doses is generally safe; however, precaution is necessary for those displaying allergic reaction or prone to epileptic seizures. Rosemary essential oil may have epileptogenic properties, as a handful of case reports over the past century have linked its use with seizures in otherwise healthy adults or children.[6] Rosemary essential oil is potentially toxic if ingested. Large quantities of rosemary leaves can cause adverse reactions, such as coma, spasm, vomiting, and pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs) that can be fatal. Avoid consuming large quantities of rosemary if pregnant or breastfeeding.[7]

Rosemary may also be useful in the prevention and treatment of headlice.[8]

[Kritters]

Great info, TC!

I have a fresh herb pot on the windowsill right now and have been eating bits of oregano hoping to get the fresh oil. I think I'll start some peppermint and rosemary as well.

xo
Kritts

[tcmgpt13]

Hi Kritts,

I think you can grow Wood Betony, although it may be a plant that needs to be grown outdoors. There is a bit of discussion about how to prepare the seed before planting at the end of this page about Wood Betony. I have never bought anything from this site so I do not know about service or sources of their herbs:

Betony Seeds from Alchemy Works - Seeds for Magick Herbs and Pagan Gardens

Another source to buy herbal seeds, including wood betony (good service, great herbs when I have purchased from them):

Medicinal Herb seeds From Mountain Rose Herbs

Mountain Rose Herbs also has a lot of good quality dried bulk herbs. One thing to remember if purchasing dried bulk herbs is to make sure the herbs are a good quality and that they have not been stored so long that they have lost their medicinal value. This is why it is important to make sure any supplier of bulk herbs buys from reputable sources.

Another source of organic seeds and bulk herbs. Once again I have not actually purchased from them, but they state everything is organic:

Medicinal herb seeds

A lot of herbs may be purchased mail order as plants. Here is an interesting site (although they do not have Wood Betony plants) with plant pictures and descriptions:

crimsonsage.com

[tcmgpt13]

I want to add a comment about the rosemary in this formula. Taken alone it may raise blood pressure, so even if using it in a formula if someone has high blood pressure blood pressure should be monitored. This is a very strong herb and if used alone the suggested dosage should always be followed as too much could be poisonous. Herbs should always be used apart from prescription drugs. One herbalist suggested at least two hours apart. Sometimes with some prescriptions it may not be possible to use herbs.

Ruskin Apothecary » Rosemary, Sage and Thyme

"Cautions: Rosemary is a strong herb - this is one to use with care. I advise caution in pregnancy, breast feeding and if attempting to get pregnany. Use only under supervision if epileptic, with high blood pressure or (since it is mentally stimulating) to those who are already too mentally stimulated! I have noticed in some of my patients that taking rosemary in the afternoon/evening can lead to increased awareness of dreams. The essential oil should not be used undiluted on the skin, and may cause a rash in a small percentage of people. Care should be taken if anaemis or taking iron supplements for anaemia, since Rosemary may interfere with iron absorption."

Rosemary as used in the formula with the other two herbs this is probably less strong, but just thought to put this on. Any herb is to be respected. Always listen to your body when using herbs and stop any which give bad symptoms.

[Natalie]

Thanks Tc, good stuff! I also love to chew on Oregano leaves Kritts! Oil of clove is another one my body craves. Turpentine for the blood!