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Note - the monographs are provided for educational purposes only, and are not to be used for self-medication.

Verbena officinalis (Vervain)

Botanic Name

Verbena officinalis

Common Name

Vervain, European vervain, Herb of Grace, Herbe Sacree, Herba veneris 1

Family

Verbenaceae

Parts Used

Leaves, Flowering heads

Habitat

Roadsides, paddocks, waste places. Native to the Mediterranean region and apparently native in Australia, common verbena is widespread throughout the continent. 2

Constituents

Glycosides (including verbenin, verbenalin) 3

Bitter principle 3

Volatile oil 3

Tannin 3

Alkaloid 3

Actions

Relaxant 3, Sedative 4

Tonic 3, Nervine tonic 4

Galactogogue 3 (possible) 4

Diaphoretic 3, 4

Anti-spasmodic 4

Hepatic 4

Applications

Depression and melancholia 4

Nervous exhaustion 3, 5

Convalescence and debility 3, 5

Asthma 3, Bronchitis, pertussis5

Migraine 3

Siezure and hysteria 4

Fevers (early stages) 4, 3

Cholecystitis 4, 3

Jaundice 4, 3

Caries and gum disease (topical) 4, 3

Amenorrhoea and dysmenorrhoea 5

Dosage

Medium dose herb

Tincture 2-4mls tds 4

Combinations

In depression Scuttelaria lateriflora, Avena sativa, Cypripedium pubescens 4

C/I Cautions

Not to be used in pregnancy 6

BHP S/I

Depression and debility of convalescence after fevers, especially influenza7

References

  1. Grieve, M., A Modern Herbal, Tiger, Great Britain, 1994.
  2. Reader’s Digest, Magic and Medicine of Plants. Surry Hills: Reader’s Digest, 1994.
  3. Mills, S., The Complete Guide to Modern Herbalism, Thorsons, Great Britain, 1994.
  4. Hoffmann, D., The New Holistic Herbal, Element, Dorset, 1990.
  5. Priest, A.W. and Priest, L.R. Herbal Medication. A Clinical and Dispensary Handbook. London: L.N. Fowler & Co. Ltd.
  6. McGuffin, M., Hobbs, C., Upton, R., Goldberg, A., American Herbal Products Association - Botanical Safety Handbook, CRC Press, 1997.
  7. British Herbal Pharmacopoeia 1983. British Herbal Medical Association. 1989.

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Revised: May 20, 2002 .