Verbena officinalis

	COMMON NAMES

• Herb-of-the-cross
• Ma Bian Cao
• Pigeon’s GrasVervain

In the ancient times the herbal medicine practitioners often recommend the herb to treat ailments such as colds, apparent nervous problems, fevers, and gout as well as skin infections. Even today, many herbalists prescribe vervain tea as a stimulant, astringent, diuretic and diaphoretic to alleviate fever by encouraging sweating. In addition, the herb is still considered to be an effective sedative or tranquilizer, anti-spasmodic that reduces cramps and muscle pains and an aphrodisiac for arousing sexual desire.Vervain is an excellent stimulant or tonic that helps to calm down nerves and soothe anxiety.

The herb may be taken to alleviate tension, get rid of depression, lethargy, irritability and all other problems associated with stress – headaches, migraines and even the nervous system fatigue. At the same time, the bitterness of the herb serves as a liver tonic and improves digestion. The herb has also been frequently used to treat gallstones, add to the energy levels during convalescence or recuperation from ailments. When used as a hot infusion, vervain functions as a diaphoretic and helps to lower feverish conditions by inducing sweating.

Vervain is also advantageous for women. The herb not only enhances the lactation and also induces menstruation cycles. In addition, vervain is known to invigorate the contraction of uterine muscles during labor and hence herbalists suggest that it is best to avoid using the herb during pregnancy. However, vervain may be used during labor as it makes child birth easier. The diuretic features of the herb make it beneficial for retaining fluids as well as treating gout. The herb encloses substantial amount of tannins that makes it an effective astringent and useful as a mouthwash to treat bleeding gums and mouth ulcers. Remedies prepared with the herb are also used effectively to treat sores and wounds. In addition, lotions or ointments prepared with vervain act as valuable medication for insect bites and skin disorders.

USES

Although scientists and researchers have not adequately researched the therapeutic properties of vervain, herbalists as well as the common people are well aware of its advantages. Vervain is known to have an effect on parasympathetic nervous system and also invigorates the uterus. The vervain is a bitter herb and hence it enhances the digestive process. However, here is a word of caution: if taken in excess dosages, the herb may lead to vomiting. Vervain possesses verbenalin that is said to be a gentle purgative and is suspected to be accountable for the vomiting.

Vervain is also considered to be an effective stimulant for digestion and helps the body to soak in the elements in the ingested foodstuff. At the same time, the herb is valued as a restorative or recuperative medication for the nervous system and is hence frequently recommended by the herbal medicine practitioners to treat nervous tension or anxiety. According to herbalists, vervain possesses anti-depressant properties and so it is particularly used to cure anxiety and the fatigued nerves owing to prolonged period of trauma.

Significantly, vervain is considered to be a very useful stimulant or tonic for people recuperating from persistent ailments as the herb not only improves the digestion process, but also soothes and restores the nervous system. In addition, vervain is known to offer relief from headaches and is particularly advantageous for women. This function of the herb has led the Chinese herbal medicine practitioners to recommend it for treating migraine problems related to the menstrual cycle.

In addition to the above mentioned benefits from the herb, vervain has several other therapeutic advantages. For instance, the herb is often recommended by herbalists to treat jaundice, asthma,gallstone, pre-menstrual anxiety, insomnia  and even fevers, especially at the beginning of flu. The herb has several benefits for women. Vervain is also thought to contract the vaginal muscles during labor and also enhance lactation in the post-natal period.

CONSTITUENTS

• Bitter iridoids (verbenin, verbenalin)
• Volatile oil
• Alkaloids
• Mucilage
• Tannins

APPLICATIONS

As vervain has multiple medicinal uses, it may be applied in numerous ways. The herb’s aerial parts are most effective for their therapeutic properties and they are taken as infusion and tincture. Externally, they are also applied as poultice and ointments. They also form an effectual mouthwash.

Aerial parts / leaves:

INFUSION: The infusion prepared from the aerial parts of vervain may be taken to treat insomnia, nervousness, anxiety as well as enhance sweating and invigorate the immune system during fevers. The infusion is also useful to enhance the liver function and also treat poor appetite and sluggish digestive performance. Many herbalists also recommend to sip the vervain infusion with a view to stimulate muscle contraction during labor and help to increase lactation in the post-natal scenario.

TINCTURE: The tincture prepared with the aerial parts of vervain may be taken separately or blended with oats to treat nervousness, fatigue owing to anxiety as well as depression. The tincture is also an effective remedy for poor digestion, toxicity, jaundice and may also be taken as a tonic to stimulate the functioning of the liver. In addition, the vervain tincture may be blended with other herbs and taken to cure stones, disorders linked to surplus uric acid like in the case of gout.
POULTICE: Pads soaked in vervain tincture may be applied externally on the body areas affected by insect stings, alleviate sprains and also to cure bruises.
OINTMENT: Ointments or lotions prepared with vervain are effective in curing eczema, injuries and even weeping sores. The ointment may also be applied to get relief from excruciating neuralgia or nerve pain.
MOUTH WASH: Infusion prepared with vervain aerial parts may also be used as a mouthwash to treat ulcers in the mouth and soft, spongy gums.                                                                                                

SHOP FOR JAMAICAN HERBS