Betony (Stachys officinalis), also known as wood betony, has a long history of use in European herbal medicine. Traditionally, it has been used for a wide range of ailments, particularly those related to the nervous system, digestion, and mild pain relief. References to betony's use for women's health, including menstrual complaints, do exist in some historical herbal texts. For example, Nicholas Culpeper's 17th-century writings mention betony as a remedy for "all inward hurts and diseases" and occasionally as supportive for "women's courses" (a term often referring to menstruation). However, these references are sparse and not specific regarding how betony would regulate or support menstrual regularity. The rationale appears to be based on its mild spasmolytic (muscle-relaxing) and nervine (nerve-calming) properties, which could theoretically ease menstrual discomfort or mild irregularity attributed to stress or tension.

Modern scientific evidence supporting betony for menstrual irregularity is lacking. There are no clinical trials or pharmacological studies confirming its efficacy for this indication. Its use in this context remains largely traditional, passed through herbal folklore rather than validated by contemporary research. As such, while betony is sometimes cited for menstrual support in herbal compendiums, the evidence base is weak, and its use for this purpose is not widely recognized in evidence-based herbal medicine.