MEDICINAL USES:
Betony is a diaphoretic, sedative and muscle relaxant. It is excellent for promoting perspiration to break a fever, while producing a calming effect. As a muscle relaxant, it can be of great value in treating nervous tics and muscle twitches. In some cases, back spasms can be relieved or even completely relaxed by a dosage of Betony. Some people find that it just helps them let go of muscle tension that has built up during the day.
CAUTION: Betony is a root parasite. Its roots invade those of other plants and steal food, water and nutrients from them. As a result, it may also tend to take on some of the chemical attributes of its host plant and these chemicals may be biologically active. This could well enhance Betony’s action on the system, but in somewhat unpredictable ways. If it is parasitising powerfully poisonous plants such as Aconite or False Hellebore, its effects could become dangerous.