Herb library · Herb · Stachys officinalis (Betonica officinalis)
Wood betony
A woodland plant with spiked heads of reddish-purple flowers, praised at length in Culpeper's herbal. Modern research in people is limited to a few Eastern European lactation studies from the 1970s.
Traditional use
Betony is the name given to a group of Stachys and Betonica plants containing tannins and flavonoids. It has been used as a nerve tonic for anxiety and headaches, as an astringent for diarrhea, as a gargle for mouth and throat irritation, and to increase breast milk. Culpeper's Complete Herbal gave it a long entry, calling it "a very precious herb".
Traditional energetics
Galenic (hot or cold, dry or moist)
Hot and dry in the second degree. Culpeper's Complete Herbal (1814), p. 232 (opens in a new tab)
What studies show
- Insufficient
Breast milk supply: older Eastern European studies by one research group claim a betony extract increased milk supply and its protein. LactMed found no modern, well-controlled studies and says no scientifically valid trials support this use.
- Insufficient
Anxiety, headache and digestion: these are traditional uses; no studies in people were found.
Be careful of
Cautions
- PregnancyBecause of a general lack of safety data, LactMed says betony should be avoided during breastfeeding. No data exist on whether it passes into breast milk.
- NoteLow milk supply needs a clinician's or lactation consultant's assessment; LactMed says herbs taken for milk supply should never replace that.
- Ask a clinicianTalk with a clinician or pharmacist before using this if you take prescription medicines, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are giving it to a child.
From the old books
What herbals and dispensaries of the past printed. History, in their words.
“The root of Betony is displeasing both to the taste and stomach, whereas the leaves and flowers, by their sweet and spicy taste, are comfortable both to meat and medicine.”
Sources
- Betony (LactMed) (opens in a new tab) · NIH · read September 25, 2026
Reviewed September 25, 2026.