Betonica, Betony

Chiron, Serratula
Dioscorides Materia Medica, Ruellio, 1549
Kurtzes Handtbuchlein, Ryff, 1599
Medical Botany, Woodville, 1810


Uses:
1. Clears Wind, Calms the Mind and Nerves:
-Cephalic; ‘chiefly for Head diseases’.

2. Opens Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen:
-distention over the Liver or Spleen; Liver congestion; Sclerosis

3. Moves the Blood, promotes Menstruation:
-delayed or difficult Menstruation

4. Clears Damp, promotes Urine:
-difficulty or painful Urination, Cystitis

5. Clears Phlegm, Stops Cough:
-Cough, Wheezing, Bronchitis

6. Resists Poison:
-preserves from Epidemic diseases
-Cold, Flu, all types of Fever

7. Stops Bleeding:
-bleeding of the Lungs, Stomach, Bladder, Bowels, Uterus

8. Externally:
-chronic Sores, Wounds, Ulcers (int. and ext.)
-draws thorns, splinters and bits of broken bone
-used as a snuff to promote Sneezing

Main Combinations:
Betony & Vervain
Betony & Hyssop
Betony & Sage

1. Wind-Cold diseases of the Head; Vertigo, Headache, Sinusitis:
i. Betony with  ... available in PRO version
ii. Betony with  ... available in PRO version
iii. Betony with  ... available in PRO version
iv. Betony with  ... available in PRO version
2. Headache:
i. Betony with  ... available in PRO version
ii. Betony with  ... available in PRO version
iii. tension headaches, Betony with  ... available in PRO version
iv. Headache and Nerve disorders, Betony   ... available in PRO version
3. Rhinitis, Hayfever:
i. Betony with  ... available in PRO version
ii. Betony with  ... available in PRO version
4. Tinnitus and Menieres Disease, combine Betony with  ... available in PRO version
5. To clear the Eyes and benefit the Sight:
i. Betony with  ... available in PRO version
ii. Betony with  ... available in PRO version
6. Vertigo:
i. Betony with  ... available in PRO version
ii. Betony with  ... available in PRO version
7. To strengthen Memory, Betony with  ... available in PRO version
8. Obstruction of the Spleen, decoct Betony with ... available in PRO version
9. Spitting Blood:
i. Betony with  ... available in PRO version
ii, Betony  ... available in PRO version
10. Edema, Betony with  ... available in PRO version
11. To promote Menstruation, Betony with  ... available in PRO version
12. Plaster for Fractures (especially for Skull fractures), and foul Sores and Ulcers: Betony with  ... available in PRO version
13. Ointment for Back pain, Betony with  ... available in PRO version
14. Head wounds, apply Betony with  ... available in PRO version
15. Toothache, decoct in vinegar Betony with  ... available in PRO version

Major Formulas:
Betony Infusion Compound
Decoction to Warm the Head
Decoction to Promote Menstruation (Turner)
Syrup of Betony (Pharmacopoeia Augustana)
Syrup of Betony (Bononiense)

Cautions:
Generally safe.

Main Preparations used:
Distilled Water of the Leaf or Flower, Conserve of the Flowers, a Simple or Compound Syrup, Salt of the Ashes
ADVERTISEMENT
Uses of Betony from HERBARIUM of APULEIUS:
  i. For monstrous nocturnal visitors and frightful sights and dreams.
  ii. If a mans Head be broken
  iii. For sore of Eyes
  iv. For sore of Ears
  v. For dimness of Eyes
  vi. For bleared Eyes
  vii. For strong blood-running from the Nose
  viii. For Toothache
  ix. For sore of Side
  x. For sore of the Broad of the Loins
  xi. For sore of Belly
  xii. In case a mans inwards be too costive
  xiii. In case blood gush up through a mans Mouth
  xiv. In case a man have a mind not to be drunken
  xv. In case a pustule (carbuncle) is going to settle on a man
  xvi. In case a man be inwardly Ruptured
  xvii. In case a man become Tired with much riding or walking
  xviii. In case a man be out of Health or feel Nausea
  xix. That a mans meat may easily Digest
  xx. In case a man cannot retain his meat
  xxi. For sore of Inwards, or if they be swollen
  xxii. For taking of Poison
  xxiii. For bite of Snake
  xxiv. Again, for bite of Snake
  xxv. For bite of Mad Dog
  xxvi. In case a mans Throat be sore or any part of his neck
  xxvii. For sore of Loins, and if a mans thigh ache
  xxviii. For the Hot Fever
  xxix. For Foot disease
(Herbarium of Apuleius c. 1050, taken out of Leechdoms, Wortcunning, and Starcraft of Early England, Rev. O. Cockayne, 1864)