In North America, Lamb’s Ear is mainly used as an ornamental, but in other parts of the world it has a long history of medicinal use. Its traditional medicinal uses are highlighted in the paper, “The health benefits of three Hedgenettle herbal teas (Stachys byzantina, Stachys inflata, and Stachys lavandulifolia): profiling phenolic and antioxidant activities” (2020):
“In traditional medicine, the aerial parts of S. byzantina are used for the treatment of infections, wounds, asthma, dysentery, epilepsy, digestive disorders, common cold, rheumatic disorders, and neuropathy. In addition, recent investigations showed potent biological activities (e.g., anticancer, anti-inflammation, antioxidant, anti-malaria, anti-spasmodic, and anti-rheumatoid) of Stachys species.”
In this paper, the authors measured the biological activities of decoctions (herbal tea) of 3 Stachys species. Traditionally, Stachys species are used as tea in herbal medicine. The goal of their research was: (1) to measure the antioxidant potential of the herbal teas and (2) to see how well the decoctions performed against key enzymes associated with Alzheimer’s, diabetes type II, melasma, and obesity. They wanted to know if the decoctions were able to inhibit enzymes associated with these conditions.
Their results: (1) Antioxidant Potential: Lambs’s ear (S. byzantina) herbal tea was a rich source of phenolic and flavonoid compounds. In total 14 phenolic components were quantified in the samples with Chlorogenic Acid, Catechin and Rosmarinic Acid being the major bioactive compounds. All 3 species showed strong free radical scavenging ability based on the tests the authors conducted. (2) Therapeutic Inhibition of Enzymes: The authors write: “Stachys decoctions showed promising health benefits through therapeutic key enzyme inhibitory activity.” The Stachys decoctions showed a moderate therapeutic inhibition of an enzyme associated with Alzheimer’s and a strong inhibition of an enzyme associated with melasma.
This soft and fuzzy plant is not so gentle on the trouble-makers. As the authors write: “Nature is an excellent source for bioactive compounds with more therapeutic benefits and less adverse effects.”
How to Plant: Ease of Germination: Easy. Start Stachys indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Plant seeds about 5mm (¼ inch) below the soil surface and keep moist until germination. You can also plant seeds in the garden. At full size, plants spread 30 to 45 cm (12-18″) across.
How to Use: Use a teaspoon of fresh or dried Stachys leaf for 1 cup of tea. Steep for 5 minutes. It tastes a bit like green tea.
Location: Sun, Partial sun
Life cycle: Perennial (Zones 4 and up) or Grow as an Annual
Usable Parts: Leaves (dried, fresh)
Uses: Tea
Height: spread 12 to 18 inches at full size
