Herbs, Plants, Trees and Roots | August, 2011

You entered Vervain, the more common name is...

As an herbal tea, Blue Vervain is said to relieve such conditions as nervousness, insomnia and writer’s block. Some believe it may also act as a sex-steroid. It is reputed to have abortifacient (abortion) properties, so pregnant women should not use this herb. This herb is believed to have magical properties and it is said it was used to dress Christ’s wounds. An ointment can be made to aid in the healing process of cuts, rashes and abrasions.

Blue Vervain

SCIENTIFIC NAME:
(Verbena hastata)


Found in fields, thickets, along roadsides growing in hard dry soil, Blue Vervain is native to North America, southern Canada and less frequently Europe. This herb has opposite, leaves which have double-serrated margins on stiffly erect branching square stems. Its bluish-purple flowers bloom appear in the summer months.



Common Names:

American Vervain, False Vervain, Indian Vyssop, Purvain, Simpler’s Joy, Swamp Verbena, Traveler’s Joy, Vervain, Wild Hyssop


Blue Vervain

Uses:

As an herbal tea, Blue Vervain is said to relieve such conditions as nervousness, insomnia and writer’s block. Some believe it may also act as a sex-steroid. It is reputed to have abortifacient (abortion) properties, so pregnant women should not use this herb. This herb is believed to have magical properties and it is said it was used to dress Christ’s wounds. An ointment can be made to aid in the healing process of cuts, rashes and abrasions.



Applications:

Tea:
Boil roots, stems and ground dried leaves, drink 1 cup as needed. May add honey and or lemon to taste.

Ointment:
Grind dried flowers as fine as possible and add to a small amount of lard or petroleum jelly and apply to afflicted area.


Warnings:

This herb should NOT be used by pregnant women.

With any herb, there is the risk of an allergic reaction. Small children and pregnant women should use additional caution when considering the use of herbal remedies.