Labiatae
| Stachys byzantina Labiatae |
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COMMON NAME : Lambs ears, Lamb's lungs, Woundwort, Woolly betony ELEMENT : Water RULING PLANET : Moon, some associated this herb with Venus GENDER : Feminine MAGICKAL POWERS : Heals emotional and spiritual wounds DESCRIPTION : The most outstanding feature of this perennial is it's soft, woolly leaves. Their shape and texture are reminiscent of a lamb's ears. The leaves are thick and silver grey in color, about 4-5 inches long. A 2 foot flower stalks grow from a basal rosette of leaves. These stalks can be dried and used in flower arrangements. The stalks have a sweet fruity fragrance, great for potpourri and dried arrangements. This plant flowers July-August and is loved by bees. Flower color ranges from rosey-pink to purple. Stachys grows 12-18 inches high, and is a hardy perennial. It is an attractive ornamental herb CULTIVATION : Grow Stachys b. in full sun, well drained soil. Propagate by division of runners or by seed. Barely cover seeds. They will germinate in 2 weeks at 66F/20C. This plant does not like wet feet. Hardy Zones 4-8.Because of its silvery color, Lamb's Ears is especially effective in Moon Gardens, where it seems to shine by the light of the moon. Special Considerations: Do not cut to the ground during fall garden cleanup,and be careful of mulching in winter. The basal leaves remain and may rot under the mulch. PART OF THE PLANT USED : Leaves, dried flower stalks PLANT ANALYSIS : Phytochemical info not avail for Stachys byzantina. 76 % of the species not has not been studied. They only information found is the plant contains 15% tannin. MEDICINAL ACTION : Anti-inflamitory MEDICINAL USE : Not in current use Former uses include insect bites, cuts and scrapes and inflamed sores, the relief due to tannin. The foliage was used to bind wounds. DOSAGE : None MAGICKAL USE : Stachys b. is a plant is good for healing emotional of spiritual wounds. HISTORY : Stachys byzantina is native to Europe and Asia. This member of the woundworts was brought to America by the early settlers. It was used to bind wounds. The wolly texture of the leaves aborbed any drainage from the wound and kept it clean.LORE : None found. |