Wooly Lamb’s Ear, Stachys byzantina

Wooly Lamb’s Ear was used in WWII as a field dressing for wounds on the battlefield. It is easy to cultivate in the garden in full sun. It is also known as wooly wound wort, wooly betony and silver carpet. It is in the Lamiaceae (Mint) Family. Identification: This perennial plant has soft, fuzzy leaves that are densely covered with silver-white or gray hairs with the texture of velvet. Leaves have a curved shape and are 2 to 4 inches (5 cm to 10 cm) long with a rounded point. The undersides are more silvery-white in color than the tops. Flowering stems grow erect, with square stems, and are usually 1 to 2 feet (0.3 meters to 0.6 meters) tall. The flowering spikes are 4 to 10 inches (10 cm to 15 cm) long with many purple flowers crowded together on the stem. Small leaves appear on the Wolly Lamb's Ear, Jean-Pol ANDMONT, flowering stems as CC by SA 3.0 well. The crushed plant has a pleasant scent, mildly like apple or pineapple. Edible and Other Use: The leaves are edible and best when young and tender. Eat them fresh in salads or steam them as a green vegetable. Wooly Lamb’s Ear is soft and very absorbent, which makes it a good substitute for toilet paper. The highly absorbent properties of the leaves make it useful as a feminine hygiene product too.

Medicinal Use: Lamb’s Ear is antibacterial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, and astringent. It is also a diuretic, febrifuge, good for digestion, styptic, tonic, vermifuge, and wound-healing. Wound Dressing: The soft, fuzzy leaves of Lamb’s Ear make an excellent dressing for wounds of all kinds. They are antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory and are said to combat MRSA. The leaves absorb blood and encourage clotting. Place several whole leaves on the wound and cover it with a soft cloth or gauze. Leave in place until it is time to change the dressing.

Wound Wash, Eye Wash, Conjunctivitis,

and Sties: Make a medicinal tea to use as an eyewash. When cool, the tea makes an excellent antibacterial wash for wounds of all kinds. When using it as an eyewash or to treat pinkeye, make the tea with distilled water and bring it to a full boil. Then strain it twice to make sure no fine particles remain.

Diarrhea, Fevers, and Internal Bleeding:

Wooly Lamb’s Ear works for internal bleeding, for diarrhea, and for reducing fevers. For these purposes, drink Wooly Lamb’s Ear Tea (recipe found below). Sore Mouth and Sore Throat: The same tea, used as a gargle, is effective for treating a sore throat or mouth. Swish the tea around in the mouth or gargle with it several times a day. It relieves the pain and the antibiotic properties help cure the underlying infection. Liver and Heart Tonic: The healthful benefits of Wooly Lamb’s Ear make it a good general tonic, especially for the liver and heart. Take the tea daily or consume the leaves as an herb or vegetable. Insect Bites and Hemorrhoids: The anti-inflammatory benefits of lamb’s ear make it effective in