Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.

Across Mediterranean and Euro‑Asian folk medicine, Stachys recta (L.) is recorded as a remedy made by infusions or decoctions of the aerial parts, and occasionally as a topical poultice of crushed leaves and stems. In Persian pharmacognosy, Jorjani, 1979 cites dried aerial parts in hot water for bronchial cough and as an ear‑wash, and recommends crushed fresh herb as a compress on wounds and sores. Italian folk practice gathered at the turn of the 20th century records a decoction of the aerial parts used as a “bronchial tea” and a poultice applied to sores; Ghirardini and Carlini, 2001 summarize these Italian and French uses. In the Caucasus region, Adamovič, 1909 reports the aerial parts infused and drunk as a diuretic and to reduce swelling, while the green herbage is used as a poultice on inflamed joints. These accounts consistently specify the plant part as the above‑ground shoot (often leaf‑bearing stems) for both internal and external applications.

A practical preparation widely reflected in the sources is an infusion of the dried aerial parts to make a mild bronchopulmonary tea. Combine roughly 10–15 g of roughly chopped herb with 1 liter of near‑boiling water; cover and steep 10–15 minutes, then strain. The traditional dose given by Italian compendia is 1 cup taken 2–3 times per day for acute cough. For external use, bruise fresh herb to release moisture and apply directly to cleaned wounds or inflamed skin, changing the compress every few hours. Advise the usual cautions for herbal teas: start with small amounts to test tolerance, avoid prolonged high‑dose use in pregnancy and lactation, and consult a clinician if symptoms persist or worsen.

These uses plausibly draw on well‑established constituents of S. recta. The aerial parts contain flavonoids (apigenin and luteolin glycosides) that are broadly anti‑inflammatory, phenolic acids such as rosmarinic and chlorogenic acids noted for antioxidant and mild antimicrobial activity, and diterpenes (including stachydrine derivatives, not to be confused with betaine stachydrine) that have reported spasmolytic effects on airway smooth muscle. These compounds together support traditional roles as a mild expectorant, throat soother, and topical compress on irritated or infected tissues.

Although not a mainstream commercial medicinal plant today, S. recta remains occasionally harvested in the Balkans and northern Turkey as a wild herb, and interest persists in folk pharmacy publications from Italy, Iran, and the Caucasus. Pharmacological studies have evaluated extracts for antibacterial, anti‑inflammatory, and spasmolytic activity, supporting the rationale behind its long‑standing internal and external folk uses.

General Uses Top

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Synonyms Top

Scientific name	Authority	First published in
Ortostachys recta	Fourr.	Ann. Soc. Linn. Lyon , n.s., 17: 136 (1869)
Prasium stachys	E.H.L.Krause	Deutschl. Fl. Abbild. , ed. 2, 11: 116 (1903)
Sideritis maculata	Gilib.	Fl. Lit. Inch. 1: 81 (1782)
Stachys decumbens	Rchb.	Fl. Germ. Excurs. : 318 (1831)
Stachys hirta	Thell.	Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 10: 290 (1912)
Stachys recta f. angusta	Borbás	Term. Közl. 1884: 158 1884
Stachys recta var. luxemburgensis	Lefort	Arch. Sect. Sci. Inst. Grand-Ducal Luxemb. n.s., 19: 443. 1950
Stachys sarajevensis	K.Malý	Glasn. Zemaljsk. Muz. Bosni Hercegovini 40: 160. 1920 (1920)
Betonica recta	Baill.	Iconogr. Fl. Fr. : t. 208
Stachys recta var. stenophylla	(Spreng.) Nyman	Consp. Fl. Eur. 579. 1881
Stachys recta subsp. delphinensis	(Jord.) Nyman	Consp. Fl. Eur. 579. 1881 (1881)
Stachys spinulosa var. glabrata	(Simonk.) Nyman	Consp. Fl. Eur. Suppl. 2: 252. 1890
Stachys recta var. angustifolia	Ten.	Syll. Pl. Fl. Neapol. 292. 1831
Stachys recta var. major	Ten.	Syll. Pl. Fl. Neapol. 292. 1831
Stachys recta var. lisae	Briq.	Lab. Alp. Mar. 262. 1893
Stachys recta subsp. hirta	(Ten.) Briq.	Lab. Alp. Mar. 263. 1893 (1893)
Stachys recta var. hirta	Ten.	Syll. Pl. Fl. Neapol. 292. 1831

Common names Top

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Filter by language:

Language	Common/alternative name
English	stiff hedgenettle
English	yellow woundwort
English	perennial yellow woundwort
Spanish	yerba de la perlesía
Spanish	betonica recta
Spanish	prasium stachys
Spanish	yerba de san antonio
Spanish	yerba de la perlesia
Spanish	yerba apopletica
Spanish	hierba de la perlesía
Spanish	hierba de la perlesia
Spanish	hierba apoplética
Spanish	hierba apopletica
Spanish	yerba apoplética
Arabic	ايراقليا
Arabic	سمسميقا
Belarusian	Чысцік прамы
Bulgarian	прав ранилист
Czech	čistec přímý
Welsh	briwlys melyn bythol
German	aufrechter ziest
French	epiaire dressée
French	epiaire droite
French	Épiaire droite
Upper Sorbian	hórska přeslička
Hungarian	hasznos tisztesfű
Lithuanian	stačioji notra
Latvian	stāvā sārmene
Dutch	bergandoorn
Polish	czyściec prosty
Russian	Чистец прямой
Slovak	čistec rovný
Swedish	styvsyska

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

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Name	Authority	First published in
Stachys recta subsp. baldaccii	(K.Malý) Hayek	Denkschr. Akad. Wiss. Wien, Math.-Naturwiss. Kl. 99: 183 (1924)
Stachys recta subsp. doerfleri	(Hayek) Hayek	Denkschr. Akad. Wiss. Wien, Math.-Naturwiss. Kl. 99: 167 (1924)
Stachys recta subsp. labiosa	(Bertol.) Briq.	Lab. Alp. Mar. : 259 (1893)
Stachys recta subsp. recta		Unknown
Stachys recta subsp. rhodopaea	(Velen.) Chrtek	Folia Geobot. Phytotax. 27: 182 (1992)
Stachys recta subsp. subcrenata	(Vis.) Briq.	Lab. Alp. Mar. : 257 (1893)
Stachys recta subsp. tenoreana	Bornm.	Magyar Bot. Lapok 33: 81 (1934)
Stachys recta subsp. olympica	Stoj. & Jordanov	God. Sofiisk. Univ. Fiz.-Mat. Fak. 34: 205 (1937-1938 publ. 1938)
Stachys recta subsp. psammophila	(Fiori) Arrigoni	Fl. Analítica Toscana 7: 163 (2020)

Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

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Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

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Forms (abbr. f.) Top

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Germination/Propagation Top

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Sow seeds at 20°C, expecting germination within 3 months without further temperature treatment.

Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:

- Doubtful data

- Extinct

- Introduced

- Native

Asia-temperate click to expand
- Caucasus
  - North Caucasus
  - Transcaucasus
- Western Asia
  - Iran
  - Turkey

Europe click to expand
- Eastern Europe
  - Belarus
  - Central European Russia
  - East European Russia
  - South European Russia
  - Ukraine
- Middle Europe
  - Austria
  - Belgium
  - Czechoslovakia
  - Germany
  - Hungary
  - Poland
  - Switzerland
- Southeastern Europe
  - Albania
  - Bulgaria
  - Greece
  - Italy
  - Romania
  - Turkey-in-Europe
  - Yugoslavia
- Southwestern Europe
  - France
  - Spain

Northern America click to expand
- Northeastern U.S.A.
  - New York
- Southeastern U.S.A.
  - District Of Columbia

Links to other databases Top

Suggest others/fix!

Database	ID/link to page
World Flora Online	wfo-0000314473
USDA Plants	STRE6
Tropicos	17600378
INPN	124805
Flora of Italy	4530
KEW	urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:459901-1
The Plant List	kew-195519
Open Tree Of Life	103712
Observations.org	7515
NCBI Taxonomy	53174
NBN Atlas	NBNSYS0000004230
IPNI	459901-1
iNaturalist	360160
GBIF	2927298
Freebase	/m/0h52fgm
EPPO	STARE
EOL	579665
USDA GRIN	35411
Wikipedia	Stachys_recta

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

Scientific Literature Top

Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.

Title

Authors

Publication

Released

IDs

The complete Chloroplast genome of Stachys geobombycis and comparative analysis with related Stachys species

Wang R, Lan Z, Luo Y, Deng Z

Sci Rep

12-Apr-2024

PMCID:	PMC11014926
doi:	10.1038/s41598-024-59132-1
PMID:	38609472

A systematic methodology to assess the identity of plants in historical texts: A case study based on the Byzantine pharmacy text John the Physician's Therapeutics

Lardos A, Patmore K, Allkin R, Lazarou R, Nesbitt M, Scott AC, Zipser B

J Ethnopharmacol

25-Mar-2024

PMCID:	PMC7615571
doi:	10.1016/j.jep.2023.117622
PMID:	38128894

Saving the local tradition: ethnobotanical survey on the use of plants in Bologna district (Italy)

Chiocchio I, Marincich L, Mandrone M, Trincia S, Tarozzi C, Poli F

J Ethnobiol Ethnomed

12-Mar-2024

PMCID:	PMC10936038
doi:	10.1186/s13002-024-00664-1
PMID:	38475780

Therapeutics to Treat Psychiatric and Neurological Disorders: A Promising Perspective from Algerian Traditional Medicine

Larit F, León F

Plants (Basel)

15-Nov-2023

PMCID:	PMC10674704
doi:	10.3390/plants12223860
PMID:	38005756

Phytogeographic Characteristics of Montane Coniferous Forests of the Central Balkan Peninsula (SE Europe)

Ilić T, Kuzmanović N, Vukojičić S, Lakušić D

Plants (Basel)

22-Nov-2022

PMCID:	PMC9741231
doi:	10.3390/plants11233194
PMID:	36501234

Southern Carpathian ultramafic grasslands within the central-southeast European context: syntaxonomic classification and overall eco-coenotic patterns

Coldea G, Gafta D, Negrean G, Stoica AI, Hurdu BI

Bot Stud

12-Oct-2022

PMCID:	PMC9556682
doi:	10.1186/s40529-022-00355-8
PMID:	36222902

Flowers and Leaves Extracts of Stachys palustris L. Exhibit Stronger Anti-Proliferative, Antioxidant, Anti-Diabetic, and Anti-Obesity Potencies than Stems and Roots Due to More Phenolic Compounds as Revealed by UPLC-PDA-ESI-TQD-MS/MS

Lachowicz-Wiśniewska S, Pratap-Singh A, Kapusta I, Kruszyńska A, Rapak A, Ochmian I, Cebulak T, Żukiewicz-Sobczak W, Rubiński P

Pharmaceuticals (Basel)

23-Jun-2022

PMCID:	PMC9317270
doi:	10.3390/ph15070785
PMID:	35890084

Differentiation of natural scrub communities of the Cotoneastro-Amelanchieretum group in Central Europe

Świerkosz K, Reczyńska K

PLoS One

12-Apr-2022

PMCID:	PMC9004749
doi:	10.1371/journal.pone.0266868
PMID:	35413069

Vegetation Dynamics in a Loess Grassland: Plant Traits Indicate Stability Based on Species Presence, but Directional Change When Cover Is Considered

Csontos P, Tamás J, Kovács Z, Schellenberger J, Penksza K, Szili-Kovács T, Kalapos T

Plants (Basel)

13-Mar-2022

PMCID:	PMC8950867
doi:	10.3390/plants11060763
PMID:	35336646

Improving the Knowledge on Distribution, Food Preferences and DNA Barcoding of Natura 2000 Protected Species Paracossulus thrips (Lepidoptera, Cossidae) in Romania

Iacob GM, Craioveanu C, Hula V, Aurelian VM, Beldean M, Sitar C

Insects

03-Dec-2021

PMCID:	PMC8703911
doi:	10.3390/insects12121087
PMID:	34940175

Free Volatile Compounds of Veronica austriaca ssp. jacquinii (Baumg.) Eb. Fisch. and Their Biological Activity

Nazlić M, Fredotović Ž, Vuko E, Vuletić N, Ljubenkov I, Kremer D, Jurišić Grubešić R, Stabentheiner E, Randić M, Dunkić V

Plants (Basel)

20-Nov-2021

PMCID:	PMC8618523
doi:	10.3390/plants10112529
PMID:	34834892

An unknown hotspot of plant diversity in the heart of the Central Apennine: flora and vegetation outline of Mt. Pozzoni-St. Rufo valley (Cittareale, Rieti)

Lattanzi E, Del Vico E, Tranquilli R, Farris E, Marignani M, Rosati L

PhytoKeys

31-May-2021

PMCID:	PMC8390790
doi:	10.3897/phytokeys.178.62947
PMID:	34475797

Endemic Veronica saturejoides Vis. ssp. saturejoides–Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Free Volatile Compounds

Nazlić M, Kremer D, Grubešić RJ, Soldo B, Vuko E, Stabentheiner E, Ballian D, Bogunić F, Dunkić V

Plants (Basel)

25-Nov-2020

PMCID:	PMC7760375
doi:	10.3390/plants9121646
PMID:	33255775

Dormancy and endosperm presence influence the ex situ conservation potential in central European calcareous grassland plants

Tausch S, Leipold M, Reisch C, Poschlod P

AoB Plants

25-Jun-2019

PMCID:	PMC6735842
doi:	10.1093/aobpla/plz035
PMID:	31528324

A comprehensive dataset on cultivated and spontaneously growing vascular plants in urban gardens

Frey D, Moretti M

Data Brief

23-May-2019

PMCID:	PMC6545399
doi:	10.1016/j.dib.2019.103982
PMID:	31194048

Phytochemical Profile Top

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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.

Name	PubChem ID	Canonical SMILES	MW	Found in	Proof
> Benzenoids / Phenols / Methoxyphenols
Eugenol	3314	Click to see	164.20	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2000.9699564
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty alcohol esters
Geranyl acetate	1549026	Click to see CC(=CCCC(=CCOC(=O)C)C)C	196.29	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2000.9699564
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty alcohols
1-Octen-3-Ol	18827	Click to see	128.21	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2000.9699564 https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1026(199705)12:3<215::AID-FFJ624>3.0.CO;2-O
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Acyclic monoterpenoids
Linalool	6549	Click to see	154.25	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2000.9699564 https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1026(199705)12:3<215::AID-FFJ624>3.0.CO;2-O
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Bicyclic monoterpenoids
Beta-Pinene	14896	Click to see	136.23	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1026(199705)12:3<215::AID-FFJ624>3.0.CO;2-O https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2000.9699564
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Menthane monoterpenoids
Alpha-Terpineol	17100	Click to see	154.25	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2000.9699564
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids
(3R,6E)-Nerolidol	11241545	Click to see	222.37	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2000.9699564
1,6,10-Dodecatrien-3-ol, 3,7,11-trimethyl-	8888	Click to see	222.37	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2000.9699564
3a-Methyl-6-methylidene-1-(propan-2-yl)decahydrocyclobuta(1,2-a:3,4-a')dicyclopentene	324224	Click to see	204.35	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2000.9699564
4,12,12-Trimethyl-9-methylene-5-oxatricyclo(8.2.0.04,6)dodecane	14350	Click to see	220.35	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2000.9699564
beta-Bourbonene	62566	Click to see	204.35	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2000.9699564
Caryophyllene	5281515	Click to see CC1=CCCC(=C)C2CC(C2CC1)(C)C	204.35	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2000.9699564
Caryophyllene oxide	1742210	Click to see	220.35	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2000.9699564
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene glycosides / Iridoid O-glycosides
(1S,4aS,5S,7S,7aR)-1,4a,5,6,7,7a-Hexahydro-4a,5,7-trihydroxy-7-methylcyclopenta[c]pyran-1-yl beta-D-glucopyranoside	145706031	Click to see	364.34	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969749
(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-[[(1S,4aS,5R,7S,7aR)-4a,5-dihydroxy-7-methyl-5,6,7,7a-tetrahydro-1H-cyclopenta[c]pyran-1-yl]oxy]-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol	162921637	Click to see	348.34	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2008.06.009
[(1S,4aR,7S,7aS)-5-hydroxy-7-methyl-1-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-4a,5,6,7a-tetrahydro-1H-cyclopenta[c]pyran-7-yl] acetate	23640094	Click to see	390.40	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969749
[5-hydroxy-7-methyl-1-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-4a,5,6,7a-tetrahydro-1H-cyclopenta[c]pyran-7-yl] acetate	14355412	Click to see CC(=O)OC1(CC(C2C1C(OC=C2)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)O)O)C	390.40	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969749
2-[(4a,5-dihydroxy-7-methyl-5,6,7,7a-tetrahydro-1H-cyclopenta[c]pyran-1-yl)oxy]-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol	162921636	Click to see CC1CC(C2(C1C(OC=C2)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)O)O)O	348.34	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2008.06.009
8-O-Acetylharpagide	9978650	Click to see	406.40	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969749
Ajugol	6325127	Click to see	348.34	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969749
Harpagide	93045	Click to see	364.34	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969749
Melittoside	11968737	Click to see C1=COC(C2C1(C(C=C2CO)O)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O	524.50	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969749
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Epoxides
(4E,7E)-1,5,9,9-Tetramethyl-12-oxabicyclo(9.1.0)dodeca-4,7-diene	22559443	Click to see	220.35	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2000.9699564
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-7-O-glycosides
[(2R,3R,4S,5R,6S)-6-[(2S,3R,4S,5R,6S)-2-[5,8-dihydroxy-2-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-4-oxochromen-7-yl]oxy-4,5-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-3-yl]oxy-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]methyl acetate	162889657	Click to see	682.60	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80548-8
[(2R,3S,4R,5R,6S)-6-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-[5,8-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-oxochromen-7-yl]oxy-4,5-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-3-yl]oxy-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]methyl acetate	21576581	Click to see	652.60	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80548-8
[(2S,3S,4S,5S,6S)-6-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-[5,8-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-oxochromen-7-yl]oxy-4,5-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-3-yl]oxy-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]methyl acetate	162963294	Click to see CC(=O)OCC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2C(C(C(OC2OC3=C(C4=C(C(=C3)O)C(=O)C=C(O4)C5=CC=C(C=C5)O)O)CO)O)O)O)O)O	652.60	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80548-8
[6-[2-[5,8-Dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-oxochromen-7-yl]oxy-4,5-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-3-yl]oxy-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]methyl acetate	73802680	Click to see	652.60	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80548-8
[6-[2-[5,8-Dihydroxy-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-oxochromen-7-yl]oxy-4,5-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-3-yl]oxy-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]methyl acetate	73802681	Click to see CC(=O)OCC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2C(C(C(OC2OC3=C(C4=C(C(=C3)O)C(=O)C=C(O4)C5=CC=C(C=C5)OC)O)CO)O)O)O)O)O	666.60	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80548-8
7-[2-O-(6-O-Acetyl-beta-D-allopyranosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy]-5,8-dihydroxy-4'-methoxyflavone	21576582	Click to see	666.60	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80548-8

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Stachys recta

Table of Contents

Details Top

Ethnobotanical Use Top

General Uses Top

Synonyms Top

Common names Top

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

Forms (abbr. f.) Top

Germination/Propagation Top

Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Links to other databases Top

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

Scientific Literature Top

Phytochemical Profile Top

Gallery Top

Contributors Top

Collections Top