- Region
- Europe
- Origin
- Europe, North Africa and Asia; naturalised on other continents. Verbena officinalis
Europe · Herb · № 103
Verbena officinalis
Herb · Europe
Vervain
Verbena officinalis
Traditionally used for nervousness, exhaustion and as a digestive bitter. Scientific evidence is largely lacking.
Safety notes
Avoid in pregnancy. May cause nausea in sensitive people.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Herbal medicine worldwide: Not in pregnancy.
Preparation
The flowering herb as tea or tincture. No dosage is given here.
Use in traditions
Vervain was sacred to the Romans and, according to classical writers, to the druids. Christian legends said it had staunched Christ's wounds. In China the herb (ma bian cao) is also used.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Herbal medicine worldwide
Attributed effects
Relaxing tonic, promotes milk flow, induces sweating, strengthens the nerves, calming, antispasmodic, restores the liver, laxative, stimulates the uterus, promotes bile flow.
Preparation and amount
Tincture for nervous exhaustion and depression (with oats), as a liver stimulant for sluggish digestion and jaundice, with urinary herbs for stones and gout; tea during labour, to stimulate milk production, for insomnia and fever; mouthwash for mouth ulcers; ointment for eczema, wounds and nerve pain; compress on insect bites and bruises.
Caution: Not in pregnancy.
Western herbalism
Attributed effects
Antispasmodic, induces sweating; releases tension (head and neck pain), for fever, hot flushes and PMS, improves milk flow when breastfeeding.
Preparation and amount
Tea: 1 tsp per cup, 8–10 min, 2–3 cups a day; tincture: 5–30 drops 1–3 times a day.
Folklore and herbal magic
Symbolic meanings from folk use and modern herbal magic. These are handed-down associations, not effects.
Divination, protection, inspiration, abundance, love, peace, calm, healing, prosperity, artistic skill, reversing negative activity, purification, blessing, contact with nature spirits.
Home, kitchen and folk use
Attributed effects
The infusion relieves headache, reduces stress and is a relaxing evening tea.
Preparation and amount
Infusion; sleep tea; vervain oil (fresh herb steeped in light olive or grapeseed oil) as a blessing and protection oil; crumbled leaves in pouches and amulets; summer bath.