Betony (Stachys officinalis) from Baldeneysee

Betony, also known as woundwort, was a highly valued herb in medieval monastic medicine. Ancient authors like Pliny described it as a plant that "heals more wounds than a doctor." The Benedictines, among others, from the Abbey Werden Around the time of the time of the monks Baldeneysee, they adopted this knowledge and cultivated betony in their Hortus Medicus gardens, where it was considered an herb that strengthened both the body and calmed the mind. Many monastic herbals describe betony as a "gentle yet reliable medicinal herb." It was used particularly in formulas aimed at purification, strengthening, and harmonization—a central concern of monastic medicine.

Betony prefers sunny to partially shaded locations and thrives best in loose, rather poor soils. In Benedictine abbeys, it was usually planted in beds for nerve-strengthening and purifying herbs. A typical characteristic of cultivating betony, this robust and winter-hardy perennial, is regular pruning to encourage leaf growth.
Betony was combined with herbs such as lemon balm, lady's mantle, or yarrow. The monks valued the plant for being easy to care for and a reliable component of the monastic herb garden.

Betony was considered a versatile medicinal herb, used especially for ailments that would now be attributed to the autonomic nervous system. A typical application was...
Tea made from the leaves was administered for headaches, inner restlessness, and digestive problems. Herbal wine served as a tonic after illness. Poultices of fresh leaves provided relief for wounds and bruises. Dried and powdered leaves were an ingredient in herbal mixtures. The Benedictines particularly valued its harmonizing effect: Betony was said to "clear the mind and calm the heart.".

Betony played only a minor role in the kitchen. Its slightly bitter, herbaceous aroma was not very popular and was occasionally used to flavor herbal wines or bitter tonics. In some places, it was also cooked as a wild vegetable, but in monastic life, it remained primarily a medicinal herb. Betony has a mild, earthy scent that was rarely used in perfume blends. In some monasteries, however, it was included in bundles of herbs that were hung to purify rooms or repel insects. Herbals often described it with detailed recipes, as it was considered particularly versatile.

Betony was considered a protective herb, a kind of dreamcatcher in the Middle Ages. Old traditions say it could "drive away bad dreams" and protect people from negative influences. In some monasteries, it was therefore used in bouquets for processions, especially on feast days associated with healing or protection.

Today, betony is experiencing a small renaissance in natural gardens and modern herbal medicine. It is particularly valued for its calming and strengthening properties.
In historic monastery gardens such as the one at the abbey Werden at Baldeneysee It is an integral part of the exhibition, as it provides an authentic picture of the medieval plant world.