Bétoine, Betónica, Betonica officinalis, Bishopswort, Bishop Wort, Épiaire Officinale, Épiaire Vulgaire, Hedge Nettles, Stachys betonica, Stachys officinalis, Tabac des Gardes, Wood Betony.
Betony is a plant. The parts that grow above the ground are dried and used to make medicine.
Betony is used for digestion problems including heartburn, diarrhea, and intestinal gas; for breathing problems including bronchitis and asthma; for painful conditions including gout, headache, and facial pain; and for urinary tract conditions including bladder and kidney stones (nephrolithiasis) and bladder pain and swelling (inflammation). It is also used to treat stress and tension, nervousness, and epilepsy.
In combination with other herbs, betony is used to treat nerve pain (neuralgia) and anxiety.
How does it work?
It is thought that the chemicals in betony may decrease blood pressure, and this suggests it might be useful for treating headache and anxiety.
QUESTION
Next to red peppers, you can get the most vitamin C from ________________. See AnswerInsufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...
- Bronchitis.
- Asthma.
- Anxiety.
- Epilepsy.
- Heartburn.
- Nerve pain.
- Gout.
- Bladder or kidney stones.
- Bladder pain and swelling (inflammation).
- Headache.
- Tension.
- Facial pain.
- Diarrhea.
- Other conditions.
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).
SLIDESHOW
Vitamin D Deficiency: How Much Vitamin D Is Enough? See SlideshowLow blood pressure (hypotension): Betony might lower blood pressure. It might cause blood pressure to drop too low in people prone to low blood pressure.
Surgery: Betony might affect blood pressure. So there is some concern that it might interfere with blood pressure control during and after surgery. Stop using betony at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Betony might lower blood pressure. Taking betony along with medications for high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low.
Some medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), Amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDiuril), furosemide (Lasix), and many others.
The appropriate dose of betony depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for betony. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Skaltsa, H. D., Demetzos, C., Lazari, D., and Sokovic, M. Essential oil analysis and antimicrobial activity of eight Stachys species from Greece. Phytochemistry 2003;64(3):743-752. View abstract.
Skaltsa, H., Bermejo, P., Lazari, D., Silvan, A. M., Skaltsounis, A. L., Sanz, A., and Abad, M. J. Inhibition of prostaglandin E2 and leukotriene C4 in mouse peritoneal macrophages and thromboxane B2 production in human platelets by flavonoids from Stachys chrysantha and Stachys candida. Biol Pharm Bull 2000;23(1):47-53. View abstract.
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