The common Betony Wood (Betonica OJicinalis) had many leaves rising from the root. Which are somewhat broad and round at the end? It is roundly dented about the edges, standing upon long footstalks, from among which rise up small, square, slender, but upright hairy stalks. There is with some leaves thereon, to a piece at the joints, smaller than the lower. Whereof is set more than a few spiked heads of flowers like lavender. Hence it is thicker and shorter for the most part, and of a reddish and purple color, spotted with white spots both in the upper and lower part.
Also, the seeds contained in the husks that hold the flowers are blackish, somewhat long, and uneven. The roots are a lot of white thread strings; the stalk perished, but the roots with some leaves thereon, abide all the winter. The whole plant is somewhat small.
Betony Wood growth is normally in woods and delighted, in shady places. Its flowers come in July, after when the seed is swiftly ripped, yet in its prime in May. The herb is appropriate to the planet Jupiter, and the sign Aries. Antonius Mum, the physician to Emperor Agustus Ctesar, wrote a peculiar book of the Virtues of this herb.
Use of Betony Wood
Betony Wood is among other virtue said of it, that it preserved the liver and body of a man from the danger of epidemical diseases. It also helps from witchcraft also and supports those that loathe or cannot digest their meal. Moreover, those who have weak stomachs or sour belching and continual rising in their stomach use it closely either green or dry. Either the herb or root, or the flowers in broth, drink, or meat, or made into conserved syrup, water, electuary, or powder. As everyone may beat frame themselves unto, or as the time or season required; taken any of the aforesaid ways.
Betony Wood supports jaundice, falling sickness, palsy, convulsions, shrinking of the sinews, gout, and those that are inclined to dropsy, those that have continual pains in their heads, although it turns to frenzy. The powder mixed with pure honey is no less available for all sorts of coughs or colds, wheezing, shortness of breath, and distillations of thin rheum’s upon the lungs, which caused consumptions.
The decoction was made with mead and a little pennyroyal. It is good for those that are troubled with putrid agues, whether quotidian, tertian, or quartan and to draw down and evacuate the blood and humor. That falling into the eyes does hinder sight. The decoction thereof made in wine, and taken, killed the worms in the belly, and opened obstructions both of the spleen and liver. It cured stitches and pains in the back or sides.
The torments and griping pains of the bowels and the wind cholic, mixed with honey purged the belly. It helped to bring down women’s courses and is of special use for those that are troubled with the falling down of the mother. The pains thereof, and caused an easy and speedy delivery of women in childbirth. It helped also to break and expel the stone, either in the bladder or kidneys. The decoction with wine gargled in the mouth eased the toothache.
It is suggested against the stinging or biting of venomous serpents, or mad dogs, being used inwardly and applied outwardly to the place. A dram of the powder of betony, taken with a little honey in some vinegar, doth magnificently refresh those that are overwearied by travel. It stayed bleeding at the mouth and nose, and helps those that evacuate blood, and those that are bursten or have a rupture, and is good for such who are bruised by any fall or otherwise.
Moreover, the green herb bruises or the juice affect any inward hurt, or outward green wound in the head or body. It will speedily heal and close it up: as also any veins or sinews that are cut; and will draw forth a broken bone or splinter, thorn or other things got into. It is no less profitable for old and filthy ulcers; yes, though they are fistulous and hollow. But some do advise putting a little salt to this purpose, being applied with a little hog’s lard. Further, it helped a plague or sore and other bile’s and pushes.
Betony Wood fume of the decoction while it is warmly received by a funnel into the ears, eased the pains of them, destroys the worms, and cured the running sores in them: the juice dropped into them doth the same. The root of Betony Wood is displeasing both to the stomach and taste. Whereas, the leaves and flowers, having their sweet and spicy taste, are comfortable both to meat and medicine.
