Betony

BotanicalBest with a meal

What is it

Betony (Stachys officinalis), also called wood betony, is a perennial flowering herb in the mint family. It has a long history in European folk medicine for headache, anxiety, and digestive complaints.

Evidence for 2 uses

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Tension headache (traditional)

Mixed Evidence

Used historically for headache. No controlled human trials confirm efficacy.

Mild anxiety (traditional)

Mixed Evidence

Used in folk medicine as a mild relaxant. Evidence is limited to tradition.

How it works

The above-ground parts contain tannins, betaine, stachydrine, and small amounts of essential oil. These constituents have mild astringent and possible mild sedative or vasodilator effects in laboratory studies. The mechanism behind the traditional headache and anxiety uses is not well defined. Modern controlled research is sparse. Most claims rely on folk tradition rather than randomized trials. Stachys species are widely consumed as herbal teas in some European countries.

Dosage

Traditional doses use 1-2 teaspoons of dried herb infused as tea, 2-3 times daily. Tincture and capsule products vary widely; no consensus modern dose has been established.

When and how to take it

Traditional use favors evening tea for relaxation; for digestive support, taken before or after meals.

2 commercial forms

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Dried herb (tea)

The most common traditional preparation.

Traditional infusion; water-soluble constituents.

Tincture or capsule

Used by modern herbalists in lieu of tea.

Concentration varies by manufacturer.

Safety

Betony at typical herbal-tea doses is generally well tolerated. Large amounts may cause stomach upset. Long-term safety data are limited.

Who should be cautious

Avoid during pregnancy due to traditional concerns about uterine activity. Breastfeeding safety has not been studied. Use caution with sedative medications.

Interactions

Tannin content may reduce absorption of iron and certain medications if taken simultaneously. Possible mild additive effect with sedative medications, though this is not well documented.

Frequently asked questions

Is betony the same as catnip or skullcap?⌄

No. All three are in the mint family but are different genera with different traditional uses and chemistry.

Will betony cure my headaches?⌄

There is not enough evidence to expect a reliable effect. If you have frequent headaches, see a clinician to rule out treatable causes.

References

Betony on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Betony on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Betony (PubMed search) — PubMed link

Track Betony with Pilora

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.