VERVAIN (verbena)
Even though it is undistinguished in appearance and not at all rare, vervain was long regarded with awe throughout its natural range. The Romans consecrated it for the purification of their temples and private homes, and also used vervain medicinally. Various preparations of the plant served as remedies for snakebite and diarrhea, while chewing the plant and its root was supposed to strengthen gums and teeth. It was both an ingredient of medieval witches' love potions and a charm against their evil spells. Vervain even made its way into Christian lore as the plant that had served to stanch Christ's wounds on Calvary - hence the name herb-of-the-cross. Vervain achieved a reputation as a virtual panacea. Colds, fevers, so-called nervous complaints, skin infections, and gout were among the disorders it was supposed to cure. Herbalists still recommend vervain tea occasionally as a tonic, astringent, diuretic, diaphoretic (for reducing fever by inducing sweating), sedative, antispasmodic, and aphrodisiac. Brought to North America by the Puritans, Verbena officinalis is now nearly as common on the continent as the native American Verbena species. One of them, V. hastata, is also credited with medicinal properties. Vervain is a wonderful tonic to the nervous system, calming the nerves and easing tension. Vervain used to be held as sacred, as a holy herb for sacrificial rites, revered by the druids as highly as mistletoe. It was dedicated to Isis, the goddess of birth, and was a famous ingredient in love potions. Vervain can be taken to relieve anxiety, to lift depression and for stress-related problems such as headaches and migraines as well as nervous exhaustion. The bitters stimulate the liver and enhance digestion, making vervain useful for problems related to a sluggish liver, including lethargy, depression, headaches and irritability. Vervain has been used for liver disorders and gallstones, and to increase energy during convalescence. In hot infusion vervain acts as a diaphoretic, increasing sweating, and can be used for bringing down fevers. During lactation vervain increases the flow of breast milk and because it brings on menstruation and stimulates uterine contractions is best avoided in pregnancy. Vervain can be used during the birth to enhance contractions. Its diuretic properties make it useful for fluid retention and gout. The tannins in vervain make it a useful astringent for bleeding gums and mouth ulcers when used as a mouthwash, and for sores and wounds and insect bites when used as a skin lotion. PARTS USED Aerial parts. USES Established properties - Though poorly researched, some of vervain's properties are well known. It affects the parasympathetic nervous system and has a stimulant action on the uterus. Vervain is bitter and stimulates the digestion, causing vomiting at high doses. The constituent verbenalin, a mild purgative, may be responsible. Digestive tonic - A tonic for the digestion, vervain improves the absorption of food. Nervous system - Vervain is prized as a restorative for the nervous system and is especially helpful for nervous tension. Vervain is thought to have a mild antidepressant action, and is used specifically to treat anxiety and the nervous exhaustion that follow long-term stress. Convalescence - By aiding the digestion and restoring the nervous system, vervain is an ideal tonic for people recovering from chronic illness. Headaches & migraine - Vervain alleviates headaches and in Chinese herbal medicine it is used for migraine connected with the menstrual cycle. Other medical uses - Vervain has an array of other medicinal uses. Vervain is given for jaundice, gallstones, asthma, insomnia, premenstrual tension, and fevers (especially for the onset of flu). Vervain also helps labor contractions and increases breast-milk production.
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