Plant Comparison
Wood Betony vs Linden
A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.
At a glance
Wood Betony and Linden: they share 6 indicated uses (anxiety, menstrual cramps, muscle spasm, …); 3 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Wood Betony | Linden | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anxiety | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Menstrual cramps | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Muscle spasm | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Nervous tension | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Skin irritation | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Stress | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.
Key Constituents
Anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic constituents.
Antioxidant, astringent and aromatic constituents; methanolic extract of the herb showed strong free-radical-scavenging and lipid-peroxidation-inhibiting activity in vitro.
Antioxidant constituents associated with the diaphoretic and calming effects; tiliroside is highlighted as a key anxiolytic flavonoid of the genus.
Aromatic and astringent constituents.
Pharmacological Actions
Antioxidant - among the strongest free-radical scavengers in a comparative study of Lamiaceae herbs
Anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic
Gentle calmative for anxiety; Nervine / relaxant for nervous tension and tension headaches (especially headache worsened by anxiety or muscle tension)
Digestive bitter for indigestion, mild stomach upset and bloating
Antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase-inhibitory (linden-flower extract scavenges free radicals and inhibits AChE in vitro)
Antispasmodic (traditional)
Relief of mild mental stress and to aid sleep (gentle calming); flavonoid fractions of Tilia (notably tiliroside) show anxiolytic activity in animal models via the serotonergic and GABA/benzodiazepine systems (mechanistic evidence from the related species T. americana)
Demulcent for cough and catarrh (soothing mucilage)
Diaphoretic infusion for feverish colds and flu (promotes sweating to support a fever)
Traditional & Indicated Uses
Gentle calmative for anxiety; Nervine / relaxant for nervous tension and tension headaches (especially headache worsened by anxiety or muscle tension)
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Digestive bitter for indigestion, mild stomach upset and bloating
Nervine / relaxant for nervous tension and tension headaches (especially headache worsened by anxiety or muscle tension)
Digestive bitter for indigestion, mild stomach upset and bloating
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from antispasmodic action
Nervine / relaxant for nervous tension and tension headaches (especially headache worsened by anxiety or muscle tension)
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anticancer action
Diaphoretic infusion for feverish colds and flu (promotes sweating to support a fever)
Demulcent for cough and catarrh (soothing mucilage)
Diaphoretic infusion for feverish colds and flu (promotes sweating to support a fever)
inferred from antispasmodic action
inferred from anxiolytic action
inferred from demulcent action
Relief of mild mental stress and to aid sleep (gentle calming); flavonoid fractions of Tilia (notably tiliroside) show anxiolytic activity in animal models via the serotonergic and GABA/benzodiazepine systems (mechanistic evidence from the related species T. americana)
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Generally very well tolerated, including (per the EU herbal monograph) in children. A feverish cold that persists or worsens, or a high or prolonged fever, needs medical assessment.
Use in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended in the absence of adequate data.
External Ids
Botanical Description
Perennial herb (Lamiaceae), 30-60 cm tall, with square, mostly unbranched, hairy stems. Leaves are mostly basal, oblong to heart-shaped, toothed and wrinkled. Small, reddish-purple, two-lipped flowers are borne in a dense, interrupted terminal spike.[11]
Large deciduous tree with a rounded crown and heart-shaped, finely toothed, asymmetrical leaves. Small, pale yellow, fragrant flowers hang in clusters from a distinctive pale green, leaf-like bract, developing into small, round, downy nutlets.[11]
Habitat
Harvesting
Aerial flowering parts are cut during flowering (summer) and dried.[11]
The flowers, together with their attached bract, are picked shortly after opening in early-to-mid summer and dried quickly in a warm, shaded, airy place.[11]
Traditional Uses
Wood betony has an ancient European reputation - praised in Anglo-Saxon and medieval herbals as a cure-all, giving rise to the saying 'sell your coat and buy betony' - as a gentle nervine for headache, anxiety and nervous tension, and as a digestive bitter. Modern phytochemical studies confirm it is among the strongest antioxidants of the Lamiaceae family, alongside anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic constituents.[11, 13]
Linden flower has a long European tradition, recognised in the EU herbal monograph, as a gentle calming and sleep-supportive herb and as a diaphoretic remedy for feverish colds and flu, with modern research on its flavonoid fraction (notably tiliroside) supporting a mechanistic basis for the traditional calming action.[11]
Preparations
Dosage
The EU herbal monograph suggests around 2-4 g of dried flower per cup, up to several times daily as needed for calming or feverish colds. Educational reference only, not a prescription; well tolerated including in children per the monograph.
References
Lookalikes Review
References & Sources
- Slapsyte, G., Dedonyte, V., Adomeniene, A., Lazutka, J.R. and others (2019) 'Genotoxic properties of Betonica officinalis, Gratiola officinalis, Vincetoxicum luteum and Vincetoxicum hirundinaria extracts', Food and Chemical Toxicology, 134, pp. 110815. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2019.110815 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2019.110815 - Apostolescu, G.F., Popescu, D.I., Botoran, O., Sandru, D. and others (2023) 'Chemical and Antioxidant Profile of Hydroalcoholic Extracts of Stachys officinalis L., Stachys palustris L., Stachys sylvatica L. from Romania', Acta Chimica Slovenica, 70(2), pp. 231-239. doi:10.17344/acsi.2023.8046 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.17344/acsi.2023.8046 - Hajdari, A., Mustafa, B., Franz, C. and Novak, J (2011) 'Variability of essential oils of Betonica officinalis (Lamiaceae) from different wild populations in Kosovo', Natural Product Communications, 6(9), pp. 1343-1346. doi:10.1177/1934578x1100600931 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1177/1934578x1100600931 - Giuliani, C., Pellegrino, R.M., Selvaggi, R., Tani, C. and others (2017) 'Secretory structures and essential oil composition in Stachys officinalis (L.) Trevisan subsp. officinalis (Lamiaceae) from Italy', Natural Product Research, 31(9), pp. 1006-1013. doi:10.1080/14786419.2016.1261347 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2016.1261347 - Benedec, D., Oniga, I., Hanganu, D., Tiperciuc, B. and others (2023) 'Stachys Species: Comparative Evaluation of Phenolic Profile and Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Potential', Antibiotics, 12(11), pp. 1644. doi:10.3390/antibiotics12111644 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12111644 - Ohiienko, T., Kutsyk, R., Kurovets, L., Ohiienko, S. and others (2023) 'Screening of medicinal and aromatic plants extracts for the synergism with fluconazole against Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis fungi associated with denture stomatitis', Wiadomosci Lekarskie, 76(7), pp. 1615-1620. doi:10.36740/WLek202307115 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.36740/WLek202307115 - Lazarevic, J.S., Dordevic, A.S., Kitic, D.V., Zlatkovic, B.K. and others (2013) 'Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Stachys officinalis (L.) Trevis. (Lamiaceae)', Chemistry & Biodiversity, 10(7), pp. 1335-1349. doi:10.1002/cbdv.201200332 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.201200332 - Stegarus, D.I., Lengyel, E., Apostolescu, G.F., Botoran, O.R. and others (2021) 'Phytochemical Analysis and Biological Activity of Three Stachys Species (Lamiaceae) from Romania', Plants, 10(12), pp. 2710. doi:10.3390/plants10122710 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10122710 - Háznagy-Radnai, E., Balogh, Á., Czigle, S., Máthé, I. and others (2012) 'Antiinflammatory activities of Hungarian Stachys species and their iridoids', Phytotherapy Research, 26(4), pp. 505-509. doi:10.1002/ptr.3582 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.3582 - Bilušić Vundać, V (2019) 'Taxonomical and Phytochemical Characterisation of 10 Stachys Taxa Recorded in the Balkan Peninsula Flora: A Review', Plants, 8(2), pp. 32. doi:10.3390/plants8020032 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants8020032 - The Naturopathic Herbalist (n.d.) 'Stachys officinalis (Wood Betony)'. Available at: https://thenaturopathicherbalist.com/herbs/r-s/stachys-officinalis/ Traditional / reference
https://thenaturopathicherbalist.com/herbs/r-s/stachys-officinalis/ - Matkowski, A. and Piotrowska, M (2006) 'Antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of some medicinal plants from the Lamiaceae', Fitoterapia, 77(5), pp. 346--353. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2006.04.004 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2006.04.004 - PeaceHealth (n.d.) 'Wood Betony (Health Information Library)'. Available at: https://www.peacehealth.org/medical-topics/id/hn-3662000 Traditional / reference
https://www.peacehealth.org/medical-topics/id/hn-3662000
- Symma, N., Butergerds, M., Sendker, J., Petereit, F. and others (2021) 'Novel Piperidine and 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrole Alkaloids from Tilia platyphyllos and Tilia cordata Flowers', Planta Medica, 87(9), pp. 686-700. doi:10.1055/a-1340-0099 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1340-0099 - Yuksel, G., Ozhan, Y., Guresci, D., Guzelmeric, E. and others (2025) 'Tilia species (linden) exert anti-cancer effects on MIA PaCa-2 cells through the modulation of oxidative stress and inflammation', Scientific Reports, 15(1), pp. 2317. doi:10.1038/s41598-025-86457-2 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-86457-2 - Czerwinska, M.E., Dudek, M.K., Pawlowska, K.A., Prus, A. and others (2018) 'The influence of procyanidins isolated from small-leaved lime flowers (Tilia cordata Mill.) on human neutrophils', Fitoterapia, 127, pp. 115-122. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2018.02.018 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2018.02.018 - Barreiro Arcos, M.L., Cremaschi, G., Werner, S., Coussio, J. and others (2006) 'Tilia cordata Mill. extracts and scopoletin (isolated compound): differential cell growth effects on lymphocytes', Phytotherapy Research, 20(1), pp. 34-40. doi:10.1002/ptr.1798 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1798 - Melnyk, N., Pawlowska, K.A., Ziaja, M., Wojnowski, W. and others (2021) 'Characterization of herbal teas containing lime flowers (Tiliae flos) by HPTLC method with chemometric analysis', Food Chemistry, 346, pp. 128929. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.128929 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.128929 - Manuele, M.G., Ferraro, G. and Anesini, C (2008) 'Effect of Tilia x viridis flower extract on the proliferation of a lymphoma cell line and on normal murine lymphocytes: contribution of monoterpenes, especially limonene', Phytotherapy Research, 22(11), pp. 1520-1526. doi:10.1002/ptr.2524 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.2524 - Mur, P., Feo Brito, F., Lombardero, M., Barber, D. and others (2001) 'Allergy to linden pollen (Tilia cordata)', Allergy, 56(5), pp. 457-458. doi:10.1034/j.1398-9995.2001.056005457.x Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1398-9995.2001.056005457.x - Siger, A., Antkowiak, W., Dwiecki, K., Rokosik, E. and Rudzinska, M (2021) 'Nutlets of Tilia cordata Mill. and Tilia platyphyllos Scop. - Source of bioactive compounds', Food Chemistry, 346, pp. 128888. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.128888 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.128888 - Martin, E.M.S., Sosa, A.M., Martinez, C.S., Prieto, J. and others (2024) 'In Vitro Antioxidant Activity and Anticonvulsant Properties on Zebrafish PTZ-Induced Seizure Model of a Tilia Aqueous Extract', Journal of Pharmacopuncture, 27(3), pp. 211-222. doi:10.3831/KPI.2024.27.3.211 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3831/KPI.2024.27.3.211 - Aguirre-Hernandez, E., Gonzalez-Trujano, M.E., Martinez, A.L., Moreno, J. and others (2009) 'HPLC/MS analysis and anxiolytic-like effect of quercetin and kaempferol flavonoids from Tilia americana var. mexicana', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 127(1), pp. 91-97. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2009.09.044 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2009.09.044 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (2012) 'Community herbal monograph on Tilia cordata Miller, Tilia platyphyllos Scop., Tilia x vulgaris Heyne or their mixtures, flos (Tiliae flos)'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/tiliae-flos Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/tiliae-flos - Guller, U. and Guller, P. and Ciftci, M (2021) 'Radical Scavenging and Antiacetylcholinesterase Activities of Ethanolic Extracts of Carob, Clove, and Linden', Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 27(5), pp. 33--37. Preclinical
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Radical%20Scavenging%20and%20Antiacetylcholinesterase%20Activities%20of%20Ethanolic%20Extracts%20of%20Carob%2C%20Clove%2C%20and%20Linden - Nogueron-Merino, M.C. and Jimenez-Ferrer, E. and Roman-Ramos, R. and Zamilpa, A. and Tortoriello, J. and Herrera-Ruiz, M (2015) 'Interactions of a standardized flavonoid fraction from Tilia americana with Serotoninergic drugs in elevated plus maze', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, pp. 319--327. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2015.01.029 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2015.01.029
Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.