General Information:
Description:
Betony is a thick and bushy plant, which produces many flowering stems covered in purple red blooms.
Composition:
Betony herb is not the only type of raw material from the plant, suitable for use in natural medicine. People also use roots and flowers. All medicinal raw materials should be collected in dry weather, preferably in summer.
The composition of the plant is very complicated. It contains flavone glycosides (up to 1.43%), essential oils (0.83%), vitamins C, K, calcium salts, bitter, anthocyanins, choline, alkaloids, resins, tannins, turpentine, betonycin, carotenoids, organic acids. The plant has a high concentration of a special substance – betaine (stachidrine), which has a strong haemostatic property.
Pharmacological properties:
The therapeutic effect of Betony herb has not been studied properly. Meanwhile, the plant has well-pronounced pharmacological properties (anti-inflammatory, wound healing, expectorant, hemostatic, choleretic, diuretic, laxative, soothing, sedative, etc.) and can be used to treat many diseases. For example, a pronounced restorative property may well be used as an auxiliary in the rehabilitation period after severe illnesses. In addition, Betony herb has a beneficial effect on the metabolism in general and digestion. Also, Betony lowers blood pressure, improves blood circulation.
In addition, Betony has produces the beneficial effect on catarrhal diseases, bronchitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, cough, and sore throat.
Indications:
Betony preparations were used in ancient times due to its properties – expectorant, sedative, analgesic, choleretic, hemostatic, antiseptic. In ancient folk medicine, the Betony flowers were used in the treatment of weak nerves, head seizures and convulsive diseases. In those days, the herb was used for fatigue, increased irritability, heartburn, cough, gout, throat, liver and stomach, breast diseases and many other diseases. Betony root was used as a laxative and emetic.
Many modern herbalists consider Betony a universal healer and widely use it in folk medicine for diseases of the respiratory tract, diseases of the lungs and bronchuses of infectious origin, the organs of the digestive tract, angina, stomatitis, periodontitis, skin diseases, conjunctivitis. Betony decoction is also used for nervous diseases, weakness, reduced appetite, liver, kidney, gastritis, colitis. The aerial part of the medicine is used to improve metabolism, in hysteria, poor blood circulation, pulmonary and uterine bleeding, colds, chronic chronic cough, asthma, especially pulmonary tuberculosis.
Betony tea is recommended for elderly people with a tendency to atherosclerosis, increased pressure, with a decline in strength, etc.
Fresh crushed leaves of Betony are applied to long-lasting non-healing wounds and ulcers. Betony is also used for rheumatism, tumors in the form of lotions and compresses.
In dermatology, the infusion of herb is administered orally with eczema, scleroderma (as a restorative and anti-inflammatory agent) and psoriasis.
Contraindications:
Do not take Betony during pregnancy or lactation. In addition, contraindications include:
- low pressure;
- thrombosis, thrombophlebitis;
- severe heart disease.
Adverse Reactions:
The plant is poisonous, therefore, if the dosage is exceeded, intoxication can occur with vomiting, dizziness, fainting, hypotension, tachycardia.
Posted by RxMed