Wood betony
Stachys officinalis
Aerial parts · cooling-bitter · settling
A mild bitter tea of the old nervine jars — tea-like, not harsh.
In the mouth
How it tastes
Mildly bitter, aromatic, a little astringent and tea-like. Refreshing when well-made — the old note was ‘the good of tea without the drawbacks.’
Traditional use
A European stillroom herb for a circling head and a tight middle. Folk cups treated it as a daily-ish tea when the nerves sat in the stomach.
In the cup
1 tsp dried, steeped 8–10 minutes. Honey if the tannin shows.
Blood
Bitter blood · bitter
Bitter is first hot, then cold. It speeds digestion, moves lymph and waste, wakes circulation, and calls bile from the gallbladder. As that hot, caustic bile travels, the body cools — which is why the old bitter cups were given for fever. Bitter is the strongest medicine in this tradition.
Read bitter bloodReached for
The promise
A careful hand
Old use exists. Modern safety is thin.
An old nervine. Modern safety is thin. Skip in pregnancy and nursing. May lower blood pressure. Too much tannin can irritate a stomach. Moderate traditional tea only.
Read the whole promiseSits well with
Chamomile
Matricaria chamomilla
The evening apple-scent that settles both belly and mind.
Restless sleep · Frayed nerves · Bloating
Ground, build, and settle
Lemon balm
Melissa officinalis
A lemon-leaf for a circling mind and a mild viral season.
Frayed nerves · Restless sleep · Feverish & flushed
Brighten, circulate, and clear
Catnip
Nepeta cataria
A gentle bitter for a tight belly and a restless night.
Frayed nerves · Restless sleep · Feverish & flushed
Warm, move, and stimulate
Traditional kitchen and folk use only. This is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are pregnant, nursing, on medicine, or unwell, ask a clinician before drinking anything as a remedy.