Wood Betony

Wood betony is a perennial of the mint family, Lamiaceae, found in dry grassland, meadows and open woods across Europe, western Asia and North Africa, and until recently usually placed in Stachys. Wikipedia says Pliny the Elder rated it above every other plant and recorded a belief that having it protects a house, and that a Welsh prescription hangs the leaves round the neck or drinks the juice before sleep to control dreams. Cunningham calls it masculine, with Jupiter and fire, and lists protection, purification and love. He has it burned on a Midsummer bonfire and jumped through, grown in gardens, scattered near doors and carried for love. Kynes adds Aries, Cancer and Mercury, and powers that include clarity, dream work, banishing and healing. She has a flower spike twirled and left at the bedside for dream work.