Wood Betony (Pedicularis canadensis) is a perennial herb found in damp open woods and thickets, and along roadsides and clearings. This figwort family plant is very sensitive to soil textures and requires a moist well-drained soil.
The plant contains betaine, betulinic-acid, caffeic-acid, chlorogenic-acid, harpagide, rosmarinic-acid and tannin. It is considered to be a abortifacient, anodyne, anti-tumor, aphrodisiac, blood tonic, cardiac, poultice and stomachic.
In addition to the medicinal values, it is considered as an edible herb. Hence, the herb is cultivated in kitchen garden.
