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Common Name: Hedge Woundwort

General Information

Stachys sylvatica is a perennial plant that can grow up to 0.90 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials..

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Europe, including Britain, south and east from Norway to Portugal, the Caucasus and the Himalayas.

Habitat

Woodland, hedgebanks and shady waste places, usually on rich soils[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.90 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows well along woodland edges[].
The whole plant gives off a most unpleasant smell when bruised[].
A good bee plant[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The whole herb is styptic[]. It is applied externally to wounds etc[]. The plant is also said to be diuretic, emmenagogue and tonic[].

Other Uses

A tough fibre is obtained from the stem[]. It has commercial possibilities[].
A yellow dye is obtained from the plant[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer.
Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.