Vervain is a traditional medicinal plant. It was already used in ancient times.
Occurrence and cultivation of vervain.
Vervain belongs to the verbenaceous family (Verbenaceae). The origin of the medicinal plant is believed to be in the Mediterranean region. Vervain (Verbena officinalis) is a perennial herb. The plant is also known as wishing herb, saga herb, dove’s weed or cat’s blood herb. Vervain belongs to the verbenaceous family (Verbenaceae). The origin of the medicinal plant is believed to be in the Mediterranean region. In modern times, vervain can be found both in the northern hemisphere of the Earth and in temperate climatic regions. Material that can be used for medicinal purposes is collected in the southeast of Europe. There verbena grows as a wild plant. The medicinal plant thrives best in pastures, gardens, roadsides, and walls and rubble. Vervain belongs to the herbaceous perennial plants. It can reach a growth height of up to one meter. The square, hard stem achieves an average height of 30 to 50 centimeters, but can sometimes reach 80 centimeters. A typical feature of the leaves are their deep incisions. Above the leaves there are some hard lateral branches. From these are borne the flowers, whose color is light pink. On the spikes they grow in the upper direction. The flowering period of verbena is between June and September.
Effect and application
The vervain contains some effective ingredients. These are tannins, essential oils, alpha-sitosterol, flavonoids, silicic acid and bitter substances. Furthermore, caffeic acid, iridoid glycosyls such as verbenalin, hastatoside and aucubin, and mucilages are also present in the plant. Various positive effects are attributed to verbena. For example, the plant has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, stimulant and astringent effects. It is also considered diuretic, blood purifying, analgesic, antispasmodic, tonic and diaphoretic. Therapeutically, verbena is used primarily by folk medicine. It can be used both internally and externally. Thus, the medicinal plant is mostly taken in the form of tea. To brew a vervain tea, the user pours two teaspoons of fresh or dried herb over a cup of hot boiled water. After that, the tea brews for five to ten minutes and then can be strained. Once the verbena tea is ready, it can be drunk in small sips three times a day. Another possible application is the tincture. The patient also takes between 10 and 50 drops of this three times a day. For internal use, however, ready-made medicines such as dragées or drops are also available. If there is no other prescription, the average daily dose is 4 to 5 grams of vervain. Vervain has also proved its worth for external use. It is traditionally used for the treatment of wounds. In earlier times it was used in wars for the treatment of wounded fighters. It was also used for the treatment of ulcers and skin eczema. For external use, a compress is soaked in vervain tea. Then the compress is left on the patient’s wound. Furthermore, the application of compresses and washes are possible. Partial baths in vervain tea are also considered helpful. In case of a cold or an inflammation in the mouth area, the vervain tea can also be used for gargling. Vervain preparations such as creams, dragées or drops are available in pharmacies.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
For therapeutic purposes, verbena was already used in ancient times. Thus, the plant was worn by Roman legionaries and was supposed to protect them from injuries. Also as a love potion or for cleaning temples, vervain found widespread use. The ancient Egyptians called the plant “tear of Isis” and used it for various ceremonies. In the Middle Ages, vervain was one of the most important medicinal plants and was used in countless potions. In Wales, the plant was used to drive away evil spirits. Vervain was even said to confer immortality. In modern times, vervain is almost forgotten and is only used by folk medicine. Orthodox medicine, on the other hand, is hostile to the plant. Thus, there is no scientific evidence for the effectiveness of the herb.Folk medicine, on the other hand, uses verbena for various purposes. Among other things, the remedy is considered helpful for respiratory ailments and diseases. These include sore throat, bronchitis, whooping cough, tonsillitis, catarrh of the upper respiratory tract and fever. In addition, verbena is used for digestive complaints such as weakness of the liver, weakness of the gall bladder and heartburn. Likewise, the herbal remedy can be administered for the treatment of various women’s ailments. Thus, the herb is considered menstrual and lactiferous, regulates the female cycle and has a supportive effect on menopausal symptoms. Another popular area of application is skin problems and wounds. Vervain is used externally for poorly healing wounds, cuts, ulcers, bruises, minor burns, eczema and boils. Another positive property of vervain is its blood purifying effect. Thus, the blood is diluted and reformed. Other applications of the medicinal plant are rheumatism, gout, diseases of the spleen, edema, states of weakness, inflammation of the eyes, migraine, nervous weakness and nervousness. Besides, homeopathy uses vervain for therapeutic purposes. Thus, it is used against cerebral seizure disorders and hematomas. Harmful side effects are not to be feared by taking vervain. There are also no interactions and contraindications. Therefore, the use of the plant is considered safe.