Vervain

August 7th, 2008

Botanial Name: Verbena officinalis (LINN.), Verbena hastata
Family: N.O. Verbenaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Subclass: Asteridae
Genus:Verbena
Order: Lamiales
Synonyms: Herb of Grace. Herbe Sacrée. Herba veneris.
Parts Used: Leaves, flowering heads.
Habitat: Europe, Barbary, China, Cochin-China, Japan.The majority of the species are native to the New World from Canada south to southern Chile, but some are also native in the Old World, mainly in Europe including Common Vervain (V. officinalis) and V. supina. Several species in this genus are of natural hybrid origin.

Description:Verbena (verbenas or vervains) is a genus of annual and perennial herbaceous or semi-woody flowering plants with about 250 species.

In England the Common Vervain is found growing by roadsides and in sunny pastures. It is a perennial bearing many small, pale-lilac flowers.The leaves are usually opposite and cut into toothed lobes, simple, and in many species hairy, often densely so. The flowers are small, with five petals, and borne in dense spikes. Typically some shade of blue, they may also be white, pink, or purple, especially in cultivars. . The plant has no perfume, and is slightly bitter and astringent in taste. The name Vervain is derived from the Celtic ferfaen, from fer (to drive away) and faen (a stone), as the plant was much used for affections of the bladder, especially calculus. Another derivation is given by some authors from Herba veneris, because of the aphrodisiac qualities attributed to it by the Ancients. Priests used it for sacrifices, and hence the name Herba Sacra. The name Verbena was the classical Roman name for ‘altar-plants’ in general, and for this species in particular. The druids included it in their lustral water, and magicians and sorcerers employed it largely. It was used in various rites and incantations, and by ambassadors in making leagues. Bruised, it was worn round the neck as a charm against headaches, and also against snake and other venomous bites as well as for general good luck. It was thought to be good for the sight. Its virtues in all these directions may be due to the legend of its discovery on the Mount of Calvary, where it staunched the wounds of the crucified Saviour. Hence, it is crossed and blessed with a commemorative verse when it is gathered. It must be picked before flowering, and dried promptly.

Some species, hybrids and cultivars of vervain are used as ornamental plants. They are valued in butterfly gardening in suitable climates, attracting Lepidoptera such as the Hummingbird Hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum), Chocolate Albatross (Appias lyncida), or the Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor), and also hummingbirds. Especially Common Vervain (V. officinalis) is also grown as a honey plant.

For some vervain pathogens. Cultivated vervains are sometimes parasitized by Sweet potato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) and spread this pest to other crops.

Constituents: The plant appears to contain a peculiar tannin, but it has not yet been properly analysed.Compounds that have been identified in vervains include ?-myrcene, verbenone, caffeic acid (and derivatives) and indeterminate glycosides.

Medicinal Action and Uses: Vervain has longstanding use in herbalism and folk medicine, usually as a herbal tea. Nicholas Culpeper’s 1652 The English Physitian discusses folk uses. Among others effects, it may act as a galactagogue and possibly sex steroid analogue. It is one of the original 38 Bach flower remedies, prescribed against “over-enthusiasm”The plants are also sometimes used as abortifacient.

The essential oil of various species – mainly Common Vervain – is traded as Spanish Verbena oil. Considered inferior to oil of Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citrodora) in perfumery, it is of some commercial importance for herbalism and it seems to be a promising source of medical compounds. Verveine, the famous green liqueur from the region of Le Puy-en-Velay (France) is flavored with vervains.

It is recommended in upwards of thirty complaints, being astringent, diaphoretic, antispasmodic, etc. It is said to be useful in intermittent fevers, ulcers, ophthalmia, pleurisy, etc., and to be a good galactogogue. It is still used as a febrifuge in autumn fevers.

As a poultice it is good in headache, earneuralgia, rheumatism, etc. In this form it colours the skin a fine red, giving rise to the idea that it had the power of drawing the blood outside. A decoction of 2 OZ. to a quart, taken in the course of one day, is said to be a good medicine in purgings, easing pain in the bowels. It is often applied externally for piles. It is used in homoeopathy.

Fluid extract, 1/2 to 1 drachm.

For more knowledge You may click to see:-

>Verbena officinalis

>Blue Vervain

>Herbal Uses of Vervain (Verbena officinalis)

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Other Species:
Verbena Jamaicensis (JAMAICA VERVAIN) grows in Jamaica, Barbados, and other West Indian islands, bearing violet flowers. The juice is used in dropsy and for children as an anthelmintic and cooling cathartic. The negroes use it as an emmenagogue, and for sore and inflamed eyes. As a poultice, with wheat-flour, the bruised leaves are used for swelling of the spleen, and for hard tumours at their commencement.

V. Lappulaceae (BURRY VERVAIN), another West Indian herb, with pale blue flowers, is a vulnerary sub-astringent, being used even for very severe bleeding wounds in men and cattle, especially in Jamaica.

V. hastata (BLUE VERVAIN, Wild Hyssop, Simpler’s Joy) is indigenous to the United States, and is used unofficially as a tonic emetic, expectorant, etc., for scrofula, gravel, and worms. A fluid extract is prepared from the dried, over-ground portion.

V. Urticifolia. The root, boiled in milk and water with the inner bark of Quercus Alba, is said to be an antidote to poisoning by Rhus Toxicodendron.

V. Sinuata. An infusion of the root, taken as freely as possible, is said to be a valuable antisyphilitic.

Selected species:-

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Verbena alata
Verbena bipinnatifida
Verbena bonariensis – Purpletop Vervain, Clustertop Vervain, Tall Verbena, South American Vervain, Pretty Verbena, “purpletop”
Verbena bracteata – Large-bracted Vervain
Verbena brasiliensis – Brazilian Verbena
Verbena californica
Verbena canadensis
Verbena carolina
Verbena clavata
Verbena corymbosa
Verbena cuneifolia
Verbena × deamii
Verbena demissa
Verbena elegans
Verbena × engelmannii
Verbena gracilis
Verbena hastata L. – Swamp Verbena, Blue Vervain
Verbena hispida
Verbena × hybrida – Hybrid Verbena, Garden Vervain
Verbena incisa
Verbena laciniata
Verbena lasiostachys
Verbena lilacina
Verbena lilacina cv. ‘De La Mina’.
Verbena litoralis
Verbena macdougallii
Verbena macrostachya F.Muell.
Verbena menthifolia
Verbena officinalis – Common Vervain, Simpler’s Joy, Holy Herb, “mosquito plant”, “wild hyssop”
Verbena × perriana
Verbena peruviana
Verbena phlogiflora
Verbena rigida
Verbena robusta
Verbena runyonii
Verbena × rydbergii
Verbena simplex – Narrow-leafed Vervain
Verbena speciosa
Verbena sphaerocarpa
Verbena stricta – Hoary Vervain
Verbena supina
Verbena tenera
Verbena tenuisecta
Verbena teucroides
Verbena triphylla L.
Verbena urticifolia – White Vervain
Verbena xutha
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