Betony

(stachys officinalis)

Pronounced with emphasis on the first syllable, betony also goes by many other common names: lousewort, bishopwort, purple betony, and wood betony.  The botanical word for this herb comes from the Greek word stachys, meaning, “spike,” because of the arrangement of its blooms.  Betony is native to open woodlands and heaths from Scotland to the Mediterranean and from Spain to the Caucasus.  Sir William Hookers (the first director of the royal botanical gardens, kew, surrey) claimed the English name betony is a corruption of the Celtic words bew (“head”) and ton (“tonic”); the herb’s tea is believed to relieve nervous headaches and tension.  Older herbals claim betony purifies the blood and is a fine, natural painkiller.  In European monasteries, it was used to treat shortness of breath.  The Saxons believed chewing betony leaves before a party would prevent drunkenness, and an infusion was supposed to prevent bad dreams.

Part used for tea: leaves.

Taste: pleasant, warm, astringent.  Slightly bitter, so you may want to sweeten with honey.

By infusion: 1 teaspoon of dried leaf or 3 teaspoons of crushed fresh leaf.  Place in a porcelain pot, cover with 1 cup of boiling water, then steep to taste.  Don’t overindulge – betony tea made from fresh leaves can have a rather intoxicating effect!

• Goldenrod (solidago odora) This plant is also known as blue mountain tea, sweet scented goldenrod, anise-scented goldenrod, bohea-tea, and wound weed.  More than eighty species of goldenrod are found in the United States, and while several (including S.  Virgaurea and S. Canadensis) make good tea, it is solidago odora that sacrifices......
• Savory (satureja species) There are several varieties of savory, including summer savory (s. Hortensis), winter savory (s. Montana), yerba buena (s. Douglasii), bean herb, and bohnenkraut.  Savory was believed to be the favorite herb of satyrs because of its pleasant peppery taste.  Winter and summer savory are the two favorite......

• Projecting the Right Image of Your Company Through Your Corporate Blog Few people realize how powerful a blog can be when it comes to projecting an...
• Golf Etiquette: Taking Care of the Course In golf, etiquette means more than just shaking hands. The term comprises an entire set...