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Wood Betony

Betonica officinalis (Synonyms: Stachys officinalis, Stachys betonica)

Herb of St. Bride, Bride's Comb, Bishopwort

Native to

Europe, Western Asia, and Northern Africa

A majority of the Witchlist's Garden include naturalized species that now live across the globe, for history's sake and to ensure we recognize any appropriation that we may make in our use of a plant, we include it's nativity.

Parts Used

  • Leaves can be harvested at any time furing the growing season

  • Flowering tops are usually ready for harvest around July depending on Hardiness zone.

  • Alterative

  • Anodyne

  • Antidiarrheal

  • Anti-inflammatory

  • Antioxidant

  • Antispasmodic

  • Antithelmintic

  • Aromatic

  • Astringent

  • Bitter

  • Carminative

  • Cerebrotonic

  • Choloagogue

  • Digestive

  • Diffusive

  • Emmenagogue

  • Hypotensive

  • Nervine

  • Relaxant

  • Restorative

  • Sedative

  • Stimulant

  • Tonic

  • Vulnerary

Divinities & Mythos


Plant Energies

Over the course of millenia, various religions, physical sciences, diviners and star gazers, etc. have come to assign energies. This is perfectly synopsized by JD Walker in A Witch's Guide to Wildcraft:

Plants can be hot, cold, wet, or dry. They are assigned to or governed by one of seven (or nine [by including the Moon and Sun], depending on your outlook) heavenly bodies. People assigned these characteristics based on where a plant grew, what it looked like, and what effect it had on the humans and animals that came in contact with the plant.

  • Planet(s): Jupiter

  • Element(s): Fire

  • Gender: Masculine

Warning: Ingestion

The Witchlist does NOT suggest using Wood Betony on yourself or anyone else without medical advisement. It is considered safe to use, however the dosage is very important to which of its effects are most pronounced. 


That said, we're witches. Throw it in your cauldron with intention and watch it burn for all its magic and medicine.

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Magical Properties

  • House Blessing

  • Love

  • Prosperity

  • Purification

  • Ward against bad luck, anxiety, despair

Talk to your Doctor/Medical Professional before adding any Supplements, herbal teas, Infusions, etc.

Part of the reason that we list medical jargin is because many plants can interfere with or even counteract medications we already take or it can exacerbate ailments we already have. 

When talking to your Medical Professional, we suggest asking what "actions" an herb might do to interfere 
with your health, either positive of negative. For example, if you suffer from heartburn, a Cholagogue which creates more bile may not be advantageous. Too much of a good thing, eh?

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