Wood Betony (Stachys officinales)

Betony has long been celebrated as a protective and purificatory herb. The pseudo-Apuleius said that the plant protected the wearer's soul as well as the body, and that when placed beneath the pillow it shielded the sleeper from visions and dreams. Betony is added to purification and protection mixtures and incenses, and it is traditional on Midsummer to burn it on a bonfire and then jump through the smoke to purify the body of ills and evils.

Betony is also grown in gardens to protect the home, and is scattered near doors and windows. This forms a kind of protective wall around the property through which no evil can pass. Betony is also a good plant to carry when making love advances and is said to reunite quarrelling couples if the plant is added to food.

Additionally, Betony prevents intoxication if carried, strengthens the body when worn, and is a cure for the mysterious disease known as "elf-sickness".

POWER: Love, Protection & Purification

Wood betony, also called bishop's wort, is a grass-like perennial herb that produces a tall stalk of purple flowers.

Historically, wood betony was planted in church cemeteries to deter ghosts and tucked under pillows to prevent nightmares. Today, the dried herb is used to make teas and tinctures. Wood betony is also used to make a strong infusion for use as natural mouthwash and gargle.

Wood betony is traditionally served as tea “for the head” and as a nerve tonic. The leaves have a fairly high tannin content, which give infusions an astringent quality when applied to the skin. A whiff of the powdered herb usually incites a sneeze. In fact, wood betony was an ingredient in the once popular Rowley's British Herb Snuff.

This enchanted Wood Betony comes in a 2 oz. Glass Apothecary Jar and adorned with a Pentacle charm and informative label. There are enough herbs for many uses. Herbs can be used in so many ways, to make tea, in bath blends, powdered incense, spell jars, tinctures, candles, sachets, & sometimes even in capsules.

Enchanted Blessings,

~Storm 

Herbs and information provided are not meant to treat or diagnose any disease or medical condition. Please seek medical attention if needed and always do research before consuming herbs or resins. Many contain natural high medicinal properties, which may be toxic to pets, small children and women who are nursing or pregnant.

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