Verbena officinalis
| Vervain Verbena officinalis |
Vervain - Verbena officinalis (in the Verbenaceae or Verbena family)
Part used: Aerial herb during flowering stage.
Taste/smell: Bitter.
Tendencies: Drying.
Dosage: Infusion: 1 teaspoon per cup of water; or 1:5 dry strength liquid extract: 5-15 drops 1-3 times per day.
Mental picture and specific indications: Vervain is indicated for nervous symptoms due to mental or physcial overexertion with spasms in general, especially in the neck and back due to overexertion. The individual is usually strong-willed.
Use: (a) Alterative, (b) Astringent, (c) Diuretic, (d) Antispasmodic, (e) Antidepressant.
This herb is a relaxing and stimulating nervine with specific influence on hepatic and renal autonomic functions. It is used for nervous depression, acute spasms of bronchitis and whooping cough, amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea.
Contraindications: Vervain is contraindicated in pregnancy.