Wood Betony (Pedicularis Canadensis) is called by many other names. Some have called it Lousewort, American Lousewort, Common Lousewort, Canadian Lousewort, Bishop Wort, and Betony. As some of the names suggest, a strong tea of Wood Betony will kill lice or scabies. A strong decoction will kill intestinal worms in humans or animals.
Wood Betony has been used since the time of the Roman Empire. They thought it cured everything. It grows wild in North America and was much prized by Native Americans. They cooked the leaves and stems to make a pot herb.
Wood Betony is used to relieve stress and pain. It is used as a pain reliever for headaches, migraines, neuralgia, colic, swelling, muscle aches, and rheumatism. It lowers fevers. It can be used for anxiety, dizziness, and excessive sweating. It is usually used in the form of tea, but is sometimes smoked for headaches and migraines.
Wood Betony is an expectorant. Tea from the leaves is used for sore throats, tonsillitis, coughing, bronchitis, and asthma.
It stimulates the blood flow to the pelvic area and uterus and helps stimulate menstruation. It should never be used by pregnant women except during labor, as it will stimulate labor. Nursing mothers have always been advised not to use Wood Betony. A Russian study now suggests that it is safe for use by nursing mothers.
Native Americans valued Wood Betony as an aphrodisiac. It was finely grated and added to food. The root was sometimes taken along when someone set out on a mission of love.
It is a natural diuretic, will cause frequent urination. That makes it good for kidney and bladder problems. It is believed to prevent and treat tumors.
Many believe Wood Betony improves the stomach, liver, spleen, and gall bladder. It is used as a treatment for jaundice, gas, stomachaches, heartburn, ulcers, gout, eczema, hives, shingles, and bloody diarrhea. It is also a mild laxative.
Wood Betony is used as a treatment for the eyes. It is said that rubbing the juice on the sides of the nose, upper cheek bones, and temples will clean out the blood vessels in the eyes, and therefore improve the eyesight. The juice is also used to heal cuts, skin ulcers, cuts, and cold sores.
The crushed roots of the Wood Betony used as a poultice, is said to help muscle aches, tumors, and sprains. Blood tonics are made from the roots of Wood Betony. It has been used for anemia, heart trouble, and to lower blood pressure. Although there has only been a small amount of research done on Wood Betony, there has been some research that suggests it does help some heart problems.
A study done in the Soviet Union showed it lowers blood pressure. It was also found to be effective healing cuts, bruises, insect bites, sore throats, and gum disorders.
Wood Betony has few known side effects other than mild nausea. Fresh leaves can be intoxicating, so use care. Do not use with blood pressure medicine. It could cause your blood pressure to drop too low.
Picture by Eugene van der Pijll
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