Sturdy, 30 inch perennial plants with spikes of tall, rounded, red-purple flowers in late summer. Grow in sun or part shade.
Traditional Healing Uses: Betony tea has been used to calm tension, anxiety, and nervous headaches, to lower blood pressure, and to relieve diarrhea, indigestion, rheumatism, neuralgia, and sore throats (as a gargle). Betony tea is an herbal alternative to black tea.
Harvest: Gather and dry leaves and flowering tops just before bloom.
Preparation: Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1-2 teaspoons of dried herb and steep 10-15 minutes. Take 3 times a day.
Caution: Large amounts of betony may irritate the stomach.
