There are several varieties of vervain, but European vervain is the most commonly used in herbal medicine. It is a native plant to Europe, and other species include blue vervain (V. hastate) and V. macdougalii, they are all similar in action. The medicinal parts of the plant are the flowers and leaves. It is a perennial and was used by the ancient Greeks and druids for a variety of health problems. Vervain flowers are also used to make the Bach flower remedy, vervain
Medicinal Properties of Vervain
It contains a variety of compounds including irridoid glycosides, verbenin, verbenalin and bastatoside. In addition it contains volatile oil, flavanoids, mucilage and choline. It is said to be sedative, nervine, antispasmodic, anticonvulsant, diaphoretic (promotes sweating), hypnotic, liver and kidney tonic, antidepressant, galactagogue (stimulates breast milk), aphrodisiac, anti-diarrhoeic, emetic, emmenagogue (stimulates menstruation) and a general tonic.
Vervain Herbal Remedies
Historically Vervain has been used to treat a number of conditions including:
Agoraphobia and paranoia
Anxiety and stress
Chronic fatigue syndrome / M.E
Depression – including postnatal
Epilepsy
Jaundice
Indigestion
Nervous exhaustion or breakdowns
Painful periods (dysmenorrhoea)
Poor digestion
Poor lactation
Tension headaches
Other Vervain Information
The leaves or flowers can be infused to make a herbal tea (and drunk three times per day). Tablets, capsules and tinctures are also available.
Side Effects of Vervain
It should be avoided during pregnancy (even though historically it has been used in the final two weeks of pregnancy to help with labour.
At the time of writing there are no well known side effects, drug interactions or contra-indications.
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