Verbena officinalis
Vervain
a perennial member of the Verbena genus in the family Verbenaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Verbenaceae
- Genus
- Verbena
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 0.6 m
- Spread
- 0.5 m
- Fertility
- Self fertile, Bees, Flies, Lepidoptera, Self
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees, Flies, Lepidoptera, Self
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Leaves - parboiled, seasoned and then eaten[6]. The leaves are used as a tea substitute[14][6]. The flowers are used as a garnish[6].
- Plant part
- Flowers
- Plant part
- Leaves
- Product or use
- Tea
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Vervain, which has tonic and restorative properties, is sometimes used as a domestic herbal remedy. It is useful when taken internally in the treatment of headaches, fevers, nervous exhaustion, depression, gall bladder problems, insufficient lactation etc[13][11]. It should not be given to pregnant women, though it can be used to assist contractions during labour[11]. Externally, it is used to treat minor injuries, eczema, sores, neuralgia and gum disease[11]. The leaves and flowering stems are analgesic, antibacterial, anticoagulant, antispasmodic, astringent, depurative, diaphoretic, mildly diuretic, emmenagogue, galactogogue, stimulant, tonic and vulnerary[13][15][9][2][3][5][10][11]. The plant is harvested as flowering begins in the summer and dried for later use[14][11]. Some remarkable results have been obtained when using this plant in the treatment of certain tumours, but further research needs to be carried out before definite claims can be made[14]. The root is astringent, it is used in the treatment of dysentery[10]. This species was ranked 12th in a Chinese survey of 250 potential antifertility plants[10]. The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'Strain', 'Stress', 'Tension' and 'Over-enthusiasm'[8].
- Product or use
- Analgesic
- Product or use
- Antibacterial
- Product or use
- Anticoagulant
- Product or use
- Antispasmodic
- Product or use
- Antitumor
- Product or use
- Astringent
- Product or use
- Bach
- Product or use
- Birthing aid
- Product or use
- Depurative
- Product or use
- Diaphoretic
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Emmenagogue
- Product or use
- Galactogogue
- Product or use
- Stimulant
- Product or use
- Tonic
- Product or use
- Vulnerary
Environment
- Range
- Europe, including Britain, from Denmark south and east to N. Africa, W. Asia to the Himalayas.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 4+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind
- Wind
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination should take place within 3 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and plant them out in early summer. If you have sufficient seed, it can also be sown in situ in late spring. Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring. Basal cuttings in early summer. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A very easily grown plant, it succeeds in any moderately fertile well-drained but moisture retentive soil in a sunny position[1][7]. Plants are very tolerant of neglect and will maintain themselves for a number of years even when growing in dense weed competition[K]. Self-sows freely when growing in a suitable position[K]. The growing plant attracts butterflies and moths[12].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X
Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Chancellor. P. M. Handbook of the Bach Flower Remedies C. W. Daniel Co. Ltd. 1985-00-00 ISBN 85207 002 0
Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Carter D. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan 1982-00-00 ISBN 0-330-26642-x
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2