Herb & supplement monograph

Betony Drug Interactions, Uses, Safety & More

Medically reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS ·Updated June 2026

What is this page for?

First and foremost: how Betony interacts with medications. The heart of this page is the interaction list — every drug Betony is known to interact with, and how serious each one is.

But these pages have grown well beyond that into a full monograph — what Betony is, what people use it for and how strong the evidence is, its safety and side effects, and answers to the questions we’re asked most — written and reviewed by the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases, not medical advice, and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

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Interaction report

Drugs that interact with Betony

172 medications have a known interaction with Betony, graded by severity. Select any drug for the full evidence-based detail.

Don’t want to scroll the list? Just ask.

Tell us the medications you take and we’ll check each one against Betony using our pharmacist-reviewed interaction data.

AI summaries are generated from our Betony interaction data for education only — always confirm with your pharmacist. How we use AI

2,830 drugs

Read The List Like a Pharmacist

What Severity, Likelihood & Evidence Mean

Severity — How Serious It Can Be

Major. Clinically significant; generally best avoided, or used only under direct professional supervision.
Moderate. May need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one.
Minor. Generally not clinically significant, but still worth noting and mentioning to your pharmacist.
No known interaction. Checked against our sources with nothing documented — not the same as proven safety.

Likelihood — How Well It’s Documented

Likely. Well-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction
Probable. Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
Possible. Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists
Unlikely. Interaction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.

Where This Data Comes From

Interaction records are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database (TRC Healthcare), the same reference used by pharmacists and hospitals.
Each drug listed above links to the full report for that exact Betony combination — clinical detail, likelihood, evidence level, and citations.
Content is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

The big picture

The kinds of drugs Betony affects

Every type of medication (drug category) Betony is known to interact with. Open any category for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

All 1 drug category Betony interacts with

Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, betony might have additive effects with blood pressure lowering drugs due to hypotensive activity of the glycosides found in betony. It might also interfere with the activity of pressor drugs. Some antihypertensive drugs include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), Amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDiuril), furosemide (Lasix), and many others.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Monograph

Betony: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS · Reviewed June 2026 ·

The bottom line

Betony (Stachys officinalis) is a traditional European herb long used for headaches, nervous tension, and digestive complaints. Modern scientific evidence supporting these uses is very limited, and most claims rest on tradition rather than well-designed human studies. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor before using it, and avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Scientific name: Stachys officinalis
Family: Lamiaceae
Part used: Aerial parts (leaves, stems, and flowers)
Common forms: Tea, tincture, dried herb, capsules

People commonly use it for

Headaches and tension
Anxiety and nervous tension
Digestive upset
Sore throat and mouth rinse
Mild diarrhea

Popular and traditional uses — not proof it works. See “Uses & effectiveness” below for the evidence.

Safety at a glance

OverallUse caution

Generally used in traditional teas, but human safety data are limited, so use with care.

PregnancyInsufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

Read the full pregnancy detail

BreastfeedingInsufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

Read the full breastfeeding detail

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center). Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Jump to a section

Overview

Betony is a flowering plant in the mint family (Lamiaceae), known by the botanical name Stachys officinalis. It is sometimes called wood betony or bishopwort. The plant grows wild across Europe, parts of western Asia, and North Africa, often in meadows, woodlands, and grassy areas.

For centuries, betony was one of the most respected herbs in European folk and medieval medicine. People used the dried leaves and flowering tops to make teas and tinctures. It was traditionally taken for headaches, nervous tension, and stomach problems, and was sometimes used as a gargle for sore throats.

Today betony is much less common than it once was. You may find it sold as a dried herb, tea, tincture, or capsule, usually in herbal or natural product shops.

Uses & effectiveness

Betony has a long history of traditional use, but it has not been well studied in modern clinical trials. This means most of what we know comes from folk medicine and a small amount of laboratory research, not from strong human evidence.

People commonly use betony for:

Headaches and tension — a classic traditional use, but not proven in good studies.
Anxiety and nervous tension — based on tradition, with no reliable clinical evidence.
Digestive complaints such as upset stomach or mild diarrhea.
Sore throat or mouth irritation, used as a gargle or rinse.

Overall, the scientific evidence for betony is weak and preliminary. There are no large, high-quality human trials confirming that it works for any specific condition. If you choose to try it, treat it as an unproven traditional remedy rather than a replacement for proven treatment.

How it works

Betony contains several natural plant compounds, including tannins, flavonoids, and small amounts of alkaloid-like substances. Tannins have an astringent (tightening) effect, which may explain why the herb was traditionally used as a gargle and for mild diarrhea.

Some laboratory studies suggest betony extracts may have antioxidant or mild anti-inflammatory activity. However, these findings come mostly from test-tube and animal research, not from studies in people. It is not clear whether these effects happen at the doses found in a typical cup of tea.

In short, the way betony might help with headaches or nervous tension is not well understood, and any proposed mechanisms remain unproven in humans.

Safety & precautions

When used as a traditional tea in modest amounts, betony has a long history of use without reports of serious harm. Still, modern safety data are limited, so it is wise to be cautious.

People who should be especially careful or avoid betony include:

Pregnant people — betony has traditionally been avoided in pregnancy because of concerns it could affect the uterus. Its safety has not been confirmed, so avoid it.
Breastfeeding people — there is not enough information about safety, so it is best to avoid it.
Children — safety has not been studied, so avoid giving it to children unless directed by a healthcare provider.
People with existing health conditions or who take regular medications should check with a pharmacist or doctor first.

Because herbal products are not tightly regulated, quality and strength can vary between brands. Choose reputable products and follow the label.

Side effects

Betony is generally well tolerated in small, tea-sized amounts, but it can cause side effects, especially in larger doses.

Possible effects include:

Stomach upset or irritation, particularly with strong preparations.
Nausea or vomiting if taken in large amounts.
Allergic reactions are possible, especially in people sensitive to plants in the mint family.

If you notice a rash, swelling, trouble breathing, or other signs of an allergic reaction, stop using it and seek medical care right away.

Dosing

There is no standardized or officially established dose for betony. Traditional use typically involved a tea made from a small amount of the dried herb, but reliable dosing information from clinical studies is not available.

If you decide to use a betony product, follow the directions on the product label and do not exceed the recommended amount. Because strengths vary between teas, tinctures, and capsules, what counts as a "dose" can differ a lot from one product to another.

Before starting betony, especially if you take other medicines or have a health condition, check with your pharmacist or doctor.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Betony & Pregnancy

Insufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

Betony & Breastfeeding

Insufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.

© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center

Pregnancy & lactation ratings: Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research Center

References & further reading

The 2 references that drive our Betony monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Foster S, Tyler VE. Tyler's Honest Herbal: A Sensible Guide to the Use of Herbs and Related Remedies. 3rd ed., Binghamton, NY: Haworth Herbal Press, 1993.
The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.

Keep reading

This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

Brand directory

Brands that make products with Betony

61 brands in our database make a supplement containing Betony.

Advanced Nutrition by Zahler 135 products Amazing Herbs 80 products ChiroNutraceutical 11 products Christopher's Original Formulas 140 products Crystal Star 123 products DC 1,641 products Double Wood Supplements 151 products Douglas Laboratories 3,067 products Dr. Christopher's Original Formulas 14 products Earth Wise 5 products Energique 31 products Extreme Products 32 products Fully Flora 17 products Garden of Life Wild Rose 23 products Genestra Brands 998 products Go Nutrients 13 products Good 'N Natural 724 products Hawaii Pharm 4,726 products Healthy Choice Naturals 179 products Herb Pharm 3,320 products Herbal Terra 3,138 products Herbalist & Alchemist 613 products Herbs, Etc. 388 products MaritzMayer Laboratories 153 products

Product directory

Supplement products with Betony

195 products in our database contain Betony. Open any to see its full ingredient list and every drug interaction we check.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Betony: Common Questions

Does Betony interact with prescription medications?

Yes. We list 172 medications with a known interaction with Betony. Use the checker above to see how Betony interacts with a specific drug.

How are Betony interactions rated?

Each interaction is graded major, moderate, or minor based on how clinically significant it is and the strength of the evidence behind it. Major interactions are the most serious and are best avoided, or used only under close professional supervision.

Is it safe to take Betony with my medications?

It depends on the specific medication. Some combinations are fine, while others call for monitoring, timing changes, or should be avoided. Check your exact drug above and confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or changing anything.

Where does this Betony interaction information come from?

Our interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database — an evidence-graded reference for vitamins, herbs, and supplements — and is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists, who may add clinical context.

What is Betony used for?

Betony is a traditional European herb used for headaches, nervous tension, digestive upset, and as a gargle for sore throats. These are traditional uses, and strong scientific proof that it works is lacking.

Is Betony safe to take?

In small amounts as a tea it has a long history of use, but modern safety data are limited. Use it cautiously, choose reputable products, and check with your pharmacist or doctor first.

Can I take Betony during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

No. Betony has traditionally been avoided in pregnancy because of concerns about effects on the uterus, and there is not enough safety information for breastfeeding. It is best to avoid it during both.

How is Betony usually taken?

It is most often taken as a tea made from the dried leaves and flowering tops, but it also comes as a tincture or capsule. There is no standardized dose, so follow the product label.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Keep exploring

Products that contain Betony

A rotating sample of real supplements in our database that list Betony — open any to see its full ingredients and every drug interaction we check.

See all 195 products with Betony →

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Betony Drug Interactions, Uses, Safety & More

Your Choice:

Drugs that interact with Betony

Don’t want to scroll the list? Just ask.

What Severity, Likelihood & Evidence Mean

Severity — How Serious It Can Be

Likelihood — How Well It’s Documented

Where This Data Comes From

The kinds of drugs Betony affects

Betony: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Overview

Uses & effectiveness

How it works

Safety & precautions

Side effects

Dosing

Betony & Pregnancy

Betony & Breastfeeding

References & further reading

Brands that make products with Betony

Supplement products with Betony

Betony: Common Questions

Related supplements & herbs

Products that contain Betony

Have a question about Betony?