Latin name: Verbena officinalisGenus: Verbena plantsPopular name: Druid herb, Vervain, Sage herb, Richard’s wortPlant description: Knee-high plant with square stem. Spiked, purple-colored inflorescences. Flowering time: June to SeptemberOrigin: Southern Europe, North Africa
Medicinally used plant parts
The whole herb (mostly without roots)
Ingredients
Iridoid glycosides (verbenaline), little essential oil (slightly lemon scented) and little tannins, bitter substances and a small amount of silicic acid.
Healing effects and use of vervain
The tannins and bitter substances obtained have a positive effect on stomach complaints, diarrhea and loss of appetite. Its effect is only slight and cannot be compared with drugs such as centaury, wormwood, mugwort, bloodroot, coltsfoot, chamomile.
Application in homeopathy
The remedy Verbena is hardly used today. In the past a remedy for insomnia, nervous disorders, kidney stones and gallstones.
Preparation of vervain
2 – 3 heaped teaspoons of cut drug with 1 cup of boiling water, cover and let it brew for 10 minutes. Drink one cup unsweetened twice daily. A smaller dosage (1 teaspoon of drug per cup) as prepared above will make a tasty house tea. Verbena added to the black tea gives a slightly lemony taste.
Side effect
none known.
