Verbena officinalis

Verbena officinalis, the common vervain or common verbena, is a perennial herb native to Europe. It grows up to 70 cm (28 in) high, with an upright habitus. The lobed leaves are toothed, and the delicate spikes hold clusters of two-lipped mauve flowers. This plant prefers limey soils; it is occasionally grown as an ornamental plant but perhaps more often for the powerful properties some herbalists ascribe to it. Propagation is by root cuttings or seed. It is widely naturalised outside its native range, for example in North America.

Description

An evergreen shrub. It grows 30 cm to 1 m high. The roots are branched and are white or yellow. The stem has hairs. The leaves are about 2.5-8 cm long and 1-1.5 cm wide. The flowers are small and blue. The fruit are divided into 4 segments. It is bitter with a sweet smell.

Edible Uses

The leaves can be parboiled, seasoned, and eaten, or used as a tea substitute. The flowers are used as a garnish.

Traditional Uses

The young leaves are parboiled, seasoned and eaten. The leaves are used as a tea substitute. The flowers are fermented into wine and used as a garnish. It is used to flavour salt.

Medicinal Uses

Vervain has tonic and restorative properties and is used as a domestic herbal remedy. Taken internally it is useful for headaches, fevers, nervous exhaustion, depression, gall bladder problems, and insufficient lactation. It should not be given to pregnant women, though it can be used to assist contractions during labour. Externally, it treats minor injuries, eczema, sores, neuralgia, and gum disease. The leaves and flowering stems are analgesic, antibacterial, anticoagulant, antispasmodic, astringent, depurative, diaphoretic, mildly diuretic, emmenagogue, galactogogue, stimulant, tonic, and vulnerary. The plant is harvested as flowering begins in summer and dried for later use. Some remarkable results have been observed in the treatment of certain tumours, though further research is needed before definitive claims can be made. The root is astringent and used in the treatment of dysentery. This species ranked 12th in a Chinese survey of 250 potential antifertility plants. The plant is used in Bach flower remedies, with the prescribing keywords being 'Strain', 'Stress', 'Tension', and 'Over-enthusiasm'.

Known Hazards

High doses of verbenalin can cause nervous system paralysis resulting in stupor & convulsion. Allopathic medicine for high blood pressure can be effected by vervain. Uterus stimulation possible - avoid during pregnancy. Avoid if breast feeding. If allergies or fits use with caution.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It grows by roads and in open spaces. It will grow in most well-drained soils. It needs an open, sunny position. It is resistant to frost but sensitive to drought. It suits hardiness zones 4-8. Tasmania Herbarium. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Brazil, Britain, Cape Verde, Central America*, Central Asia, China, East Africa, Eurasia, Europe, France, Greece, Hungary, India, Indochina, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Kurdistan, Laos, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Morocco, Myanmar, Niue, North Africa, North America, Portugal, SE Asia, Sicily, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Sudan, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Tibet, Turkey, Türkiye, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

A very easily grown plant, it succeeds in any moderately fertile well-drained but moisture retentive soil in a sunny position. Plants are very tolerant of neglect and will maintain themselves for a number of years even when growing in dense weed competition. Self-sows freely when growing in a suitable position. The growing plant attracts butterflies and moths.

Propagation

Seed — sow in early spring in a greenhouse, barely covering the seed. Germination should occur within 3 weeks. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough and plant out in early summer. Where seed is plentiful, it can also be sown in situ in late spring. Divide in spring; larger divisions go directly into permanent positions, while smaller ones are best potted and grown on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame before planting out in summer or the following spring. Basal cuttings taken in early summer — harvest shoots with plenty of underground stem when about 8–10cm above ground, pot individually, and keep in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until well rooted before planting out in summer.

Other Uses

None known.

Notes

There are about 250 Verbena species. It is used in medicine.

Nutrition

Also Known As

Bluebird vine, Holy Wort, Karaita, Kuma-tsuzura, Pamukh, Saung-daw-ku, Vasfu, Vervain

References (22)

• Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 671
• Blamey, M and Grey-Wilson, C., 2005, Wild flowers of the Mediterranean. A & C Black London. p 387
• Bremness, L., 1994, Herbs. Collins Eyewitness Handbooks. Harper Collins. p 225
• Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 1460
• Curtis, W.M., 1993, The Student's Flora of Tasmania. Part 3 St David's Park Publishing, Tasmania, p 541

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