Heilziest: location, effect and use

The Heilziest was long considered an important European medicinal and magic plant. We present the perennial, bee-friendly perennial in the profile.

The Heilziest (Betonica officinalis Syn. Stachys officinalis) was an important medicinal plant in European herbal medicine in earlier times. We present the Heilziest and its effect, the demands in culture and the most important care measures.

Heilziest: origin and properties

The Heilziest is also known under the names Echte Betonie, Bathenia, Batunge, Fleaflower, Pfaffenblume and Toothwort. The perennial plant belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae) and is closely related to the native wood locust (Stachys sylvatica) and Kollenziest (Stachys affinis) related. It occurs wild throughout Europe and in the Caucasus on meadows, in sparse forests and bushes. Until the Middle Ages, the Heilziest was an important medicinal plant in Europe and Egypt to treat a wide variety of ailments, but it lost all of its importance.

The herbaceous plant reaches a height of 40 - 60 cm and forms four-edged, slightly hairy stems, which are typical for the family. The leaves of the Heilziest sit decussate on the shoots and form a basal leaf rosette before flowering. They are elliptical in shape, clearly toothed on the leaf margin and have short stalks or are close-lying. The whorled inflorescence consists of numerous small, reddish-violet to white lipped flowers. Pollinating insects, such as bees and butterflies, visit Heilziest during the flowering period from June to August to collect nectar and small amounts of pollen. In late summer, the seeds form from the flowers, each with four angular, brown Klaus fruits per pollinated flower.

Planting concrete: location and procedure

The ideal location for Heilziest is sunny to semi-shady on humus-rich, loamy to clayey but well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant and needs medium amounts of nutrients. The real betony can be purchased as a potted perennial in nurseries and planted out in spring or late autumn.

Cultivation from the seeds of the Heilziest is also possible, but much more time-consuming. They are cold germs, which means they need a longer period of winter-like temperatures to germinate. The seeds are therefore sown outdoors between September and December. Germination then occurs when temperatures rise in spring. However, it is also possible to sow Heilziest indoors all year round on a bright, warm window sill. The seeds are pre-soaked in lukewarm water for 24 hours, then stored in damp sand or kitchen paper, ideally wrapped in a zip-lock bag, in the refrigerator for about eight weeks. The seeds are then sown in seed pots. Pots or bowls are first filled with nutrient-poor potting soil such as ours Plantura Organic Herb & Seed Soil, filled and slightly moistened. The Heilziest seeds are sown 4 - 5 cm deep into the substrate and placed at room temperature. Germination takes a long time: It can take between 30 and 80 days for the first seedlings to appear. In the meantime, however, the earth must never dry out completely.

The young plants or perennials can be placed directly in the bed or in planters with a capacity of at least 5 liters in spring or late autumn. First remove unwanted weeds and loosen up the future location. Poor soils can be enriched with mature compost in this step. Sufficiently large planting holes are now dug and the Heilziest young plants are placed in them. The distance should be 25 - 30 cm. Then the planting holes are filled with soil, the plants are well pressed all around and watered.

At a glance: Plant Heilziest

• Soil preparation: Remove weeds, loosen soil and work in compost if necessary.
• Dig a sufficiently large planting hole, keep a planting distance of 25 - 30 cm.
• Put betony plants in, fill with substrate and press down lightly.
• Water well after planting.

The right care

The Heilziest is easy to care for and undemanding. If the perennials have grown well, they only need to be watered in exceptional cases of prolonged drought. A predominantly organic fertilization in the spring with a dose of mature compost or ours Plantura organic universal fertilizer the Heilziest rewards with a rich bloom and vigorous growth. Heilziest is completely hardy in our latitudes to below -25°C and therefore does not need any winter protection. The perennial dies above ground in late autumn. Before new shoots appear in the following spring, the dead parts of the plant are cut off close to the ground. The medicinal ziest, which grows in clumps, can be divided with a spade in autumn and thus propagated vegetatively.

Use and effect of the Heilziest

The leaves of the Heilziest are cut and dried between July and August during the flowering period. The herb contains up to 15% tannins and tastes quite bitter, which is why it is mainly used to support hemostasis, digestion and liver function. Usually, the dried betony herb is taken as Heilziest tea. The healing power of Betonica officinalis can also have a positive effect on headaches or toothaches, gallbladder or kidney stones, gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases such as asthma or infections. In homeopathy, Betonica officinalis used for gallbladder disorders, gastrointestinal complaints and to support the liver and pancreas.

The use of Heilziest isn't just limited to healing, however. The herb can also be used as a dye plant: wool and fabrics can be dyed yellow with it.

Is Heilziest poisonous?

Heilziest is not poisonous, but excessive consumption can cause nausea, vomiting and, in large overdoses, even hallucinations. As a precaution, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid taking Heilziest. A related mint family with a healing effect, especially on the heart and circulation, is the motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca). We present the bumblebee-friendly medicinal plant in the profile.