Wood Betony Herb Aerial
Health benefits of Wood betony
Listed below are few of the popular health benefits of consuming wood betony herb
1. Works as Anti-inflammatory
Wood Betony has anti-inflammatory properties that help ease the inflammation of the skin caused by eczema as well as other skin conditions. Not only it eases any inflammation to the skin, but Betony will also decrease how often you have flare-ups and the redness. The Anti-inflammatory properties are also incredible for the whole body regarding inflammation issues.
2. Improves Respiratory Problems
Wood betony help to relieve asthma and respiratory infections like pneumonia and bronchitis. The expectorant properties of wood betony may help to soften the buildup of thick mucus. This will assist in helping drainage of mucus, in turn alleviating sinus congestion.
3. Improves Kidney Function
Wood betony displays diuretic activity, which helps to increase urinary rate. This may help to remove toxins from the urinary system, in turn enhancing kidney function. Diuretic action of wood betony may also help to urinary tract infections (UTI).
4. Relieves Stress
Wood betony has sedative actions, which may contribute in alleviating stress and relaxing the mind. So, drinking betony tea or having its tincture after a tiring day at work may calm your frail nerves and allow you to unwind and get better sleep. Its relaxing effect on the mind can also be supportive to treat anxiety.
5. Treats Oral Problems
An infusion made from the flowers and leaves of the wood betony plant is used as mouthwash. This herbal mouthwash may work to treat mouth ulcers, gum problems, and even throat issues. It may help to speed up healing of open wounds in the oral cavity. Herbal mouthwash of wood betony may also help to reduce gum inflammation and stop gum bleeding. Gargling with an infusion of wood betony may also help to relieve sore throat.
An infusion of wood betony can also be used to treat external ulcers that occur on the uppermost layer of the skin. For instance, a foot or a toe ulcer can be washed with this herbal infusion to increase the healing rate. Poultice made from wood betony may also help to reduce inflammation and pain associated with skin tears, stings, and bites. Tannins found in wood betony display anti-inflammatory properties, the poultice can certainly help relieve discomfort associated with open wounds.
6. Alleviates Headache
Extracts of wood betony is quite beneficial for providing relief from headache. This has been attributed to glycosides, an important constituent of wood betony. Rise in blood pressure may be accompanied by headaches. Research showed that glycosides may help to bring down blood pressure, which may contribute in alleviating headaches. Herbalists also recommend betony tea and tinctures for the treatment of migraines.
7. Treats Digestion Problems
Wood betony consists of good amount of tannins; it displays astringent properties, making it perfect for the treatment of diarrhea. The astringency effect of wood betony absorbs fluids from the intestine, thus helping to reduce bowel movement. So, wood betony infuse provides anti-diarrheal effect, which may help to treat bowel dysfunction. People with poor digestion may also benefit by taking extracts of wood betony. Herbal extracts of wood betony are mildly bitter, which actually aid in digestion.
8. Lowers Blood Pressure
High blood pressure has been an issue for a while, and the number of people who struggle with it is alarming. Wood Betony has the capacity to lower blood pressure.
9. Better Circulation
Wood Betony has cleansing properties which over the years has made it recognized as an effective liver and blood detox agent. In ancient times, bloodletting was a common way to detox. This claimed a number of lives. However, when Wood Betony was discovered and applied, there existed an alternative to bloodletting. So because Wood Betony at the time was highly effective in the expelling toxins, bloodletting got discouraged. It is still effective, and we are grateful to nature for this amazing herb. Wood Betony consists of natural compounds that encourage better circulation and the expulsion of toxins from the liver.
10. Alleviates Skin Problems
Since ancient times, wood betony has been used in European countries for the treatment of edema, hives, and shingles. Herbalists over there have been recommending it for various skin ailments. Even nerve-related problems, a complication of shingles, are treated with extracts of wood betony.
11. Relieves Menstrual Pain
Traditionally, usage of wood betony has been involved in treating menstrual problems. It may help to relieve discomfort related with menstrual cramps.
12. Improves Liver Function
Wood betony is supposed to remove impurities from the blood, which may contribute in improving the function of liver, gallbladder, and the spleen. Herbalists in the 16th century were of the opinion that the herb could be used to treat jaundice.
13. Maintain Mental Health
Since ancient times, Wood Betony was considered to works effectively in treating anxiety, headaches, depression, and many other conditions that had psychological sides to them. In those days, it was believed that the effectiveness of Wood Betony in this regard was related to their supposed ability of the herb to ward off ghosts, evil spirits and sorcerers because they believed then that those were the causes of such health challenges. Well, the herb actually did work for them.
14. Clears Skin Rashes
Wood Betony works wonderfully as a topical anti-inflammatory agent for treating skin rashes, mouth sores, and other mucosal inflammations. Now you know just what to use to get rid of those skin rashes.
15. Cures Migraines
Wood Betony is super effective in relieving patients of a migraine. Some persons even use it along with Jamaican dogwood and black cohosh to treat headaches and migraines. Wood Betony leaves you free of aches in your head. This herb is just so useful.
Traditional uses and benefits of Wood Betony
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.
It stimulates the digestive system and the liver, having an overall tonic effect upon the body.
It is anthelmintic, antiseptic, astringent, carminative, mildly cathartic, cholagogue, digestive, diuretic, mildly emetic, emenagogue, expectorant, nervine, sedative, sternutatory, tonic and vulnerary.
It is taken in the treatment of ‘frayed nerves’, pre-menstrual complaints, poor memory and tension.
It can be taken in combination with herbs such as comfrey, Symphytum officinale, and lime flowers, Tilia species, to treat sinus headaches and congestion.
Wood betony can be taken on its own, or with yarrow, Achillea millefolium, to staunch nosebleeds.
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.
It is used in the treatment of asthma and excessive perspiration.
It is useful in hysteria, palpitations pain in the head and face, neuralgia and all nervous affections.
It is used as a tonic in dyspepsia and as an alternative in rheumatism, scrofula and impurities of the blood.
Wine glassful of this decoction three times a day proves a benefit against languid nervous headaches.
Dried herb may also be smoked as tobacco, combined with Eyebright and Coltsfoot, for relieving headache.
Pinch of the powdered herb will provoke violent sneezing.
Dried leaves formed an ingredient in Rowley’s British Herb Snuff, which was at one time quite famous for headaches.
Wood Betony improves appetite and poor digestion.
It treats Gastric disorders and Heartburn. It loosens and expels excess Upper Respiratory Tract mucus.
It is useful in relieving Colds, Chronic Asthma and Bronchitis.
Wood Betony increases the production and flow of urine. It is effectively eases Bladder problems, Kidney problems and Kidney stones.
It cures diarrhea and effectively treats Varicose Vein, Edema, Scrofula and Tuberculosis.
It is an excellent remedy for Jaundice and Gout. It destroys and expels out worms from the Intestinal Tract.
It is used in the treatment of Wounds, Cuts, Insect bites, Hemorrhoids, External Ulcers and old Sores.
It is best used for sore throat and gum inflammation.
It can also be used as an ointment for cuts and sores.
It is effective in the treatment of sinusitis headaches and in treating nasal congestion.
Ayurvedic Health benefits of Wood Betony
Acid Reflux: Prepare a root decoction. Have once a day. OR: Eat capsules (600 mg). Else: Have liquid extract (2-4 drops).
Fever: Soak One tablespoon Wood Betony in a cup of water for 3-4 hours. Drink.
Headache: Prepare a tea from Wood Betony and Skullcap. Drink twice a day.
Culinary uses
Leaves and flowering tops make a good tea substitute.
It has all the good qualities of tea without the negative ones.
Can be used as a substitute for black tea, infusion resembles taste and is caffeine free.