Vervain Medicinal Uses

Vervain Medicinal uses can be traced back to the 18th-century book “Sauer’s Herbal Cure”. Since the 1930s, Vervain (Verbena officinalis) is one of the 38 flowering plants used in a homeopathic tincture called Bach Flower Remedy. It is a slender perennial plant with small, pale lilac flowers borne on leafless spikes. This herb has both culinary and medicinal uses.

Common Names include: Enchanter’s plant, Erba croce, Erba dei tagli, Herb of grace, Herb of the cross, Juno’s tears, Pigeon’s grass, Pigeonweed, Prostrate verbena, Verbena and Yerba de Santa Anaverbena.

Vervain Medicinal Uses Overview

In herbal medicine, the above-ground plant parts of vervain are used during the flowering period. They contain concentrations of bitter plant compounds and tannins, as well as silica and volatile essential oils. The tannins are part of what gives the vervain herb its astringent properties. Other active plant components include glycosides (verbenin) and alkaloids. These chemical plant compounds give vervain its healing medicinal properties.

Among its purported benefits, it may help in the treatment of:

• Headaches
• General aches and pain
• Insomnia
• Digestive dysfunction
• Upper respiratory tract symptoms
• Urinary tract infections
• Depression and anxiety

Vervain Herbal Preparations and Uses

Parts Used: Leaves, Stems & Flowers

• Capsules
• Tinctures
• Extracts
• Astringents
• Teas
• Powders
• Dried herbs

Vervain Herbal Recipes

The traditional application of medicinal Vervain is in tea.

Vervain Tea

• Add 2 heaping teaspoons of Vervain per one cup of hot water.
• Allow to steep for ten minutes.
• You can also add honey and/or peppermint to the tea to sweeten it.
• Drink two to three cups daily, but for no longer than a week (and not during pregnancy).

Caution: Pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with iron deficiency, and those taking blood thinners should avoid drinking this tea or consuming any Vervain.