Vervain: 9 Benefits Of This Mythical Herb + How To Make The Tea
A cup of freshly brewed vervain can work remarkably for your mental and physical health.
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Vervain benefits are fast gaining attention. Romans believed vervain is holy. As per some sources, it was also used on the wounds of Jesus after removing the cross. In addition, the Greek physician Hippocrates recommended vervain to treat plague and fever. Also, Aztecs used vervain as a diuretic. Sounds mythical and mysterious, right?
Vervain is also used to elevate one’s mood. Have you ever thought of an herb that can give you peace after a hectic day and soothe your anxiety? That is what makes vervain special. But how true are its claims? Learn more about this herb in this article.
Know Your Ingredient: VervainWhat Is It?
A herb with lilac flowers and spiky leaves, native to Europe and Asia and also known as verbena.
What Are Its Benefits?
It may treat sleep and anxiety issues, relieve migraines, boost heart, oral and digestive health, soothe period cramps, protect the liver and kidneys, and increase milk supply in nursing moms.
Who Can Use It?
Everyone, except children and those with existing kidney or inflammatory issues, can have it.
How Often?
Consume 2 to 4 g daily in an infusion.
Caution
May cause indigestion, gas, and skin rashes (on contact), Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid consuming its supplements.
In This Article
What’s Vervain?
Vervain belongs to the Verbenaceae plant family and is also called the herb of the cross, the herb of grace, Juno’s tears, and the enchanter’s plant. Its scientific name is Verbena officinalis, and it is well known for its traditional use as a powerful herbal remedy across various cultures. Native Americans utilized it for a variety of therapeutic uses, while the ancient Romans used it in rituals for protection as this plant is deemed sacred in their culture. It is a slender plant that has toothed leaves. It has pale flowers and leafless spikes and tastes bitter.
Vervain is of two types – blue vervain and white vervain. The plant is native to the Mediterranean region and also grows in parts of North America.
The major constituents of vervain responsible for the benefits include glycosides, tannins, alkaloids, bitter principles, and volatile oil. These, in addition to several other constituents, give us the benefits that we will discuss now.
TriviaKey Takeaways
- There are two varieties of vervain—blue and white. It is loaded with glycosides, tannins, alkaloids, bitter principles, and volatile oil, which are responsible for various health benefits.
- It also contains a naturally occurring glycoside called cornin that has cardioprotective effects.
- It has calming, sedative, and analgesic properties that can help with anxiety, insomnia, migraine headaches, and menstrual pain.
- Vervain’s antibacterial qualities aid in improving liver, kidney, and intestinal health.
- Vervain can also help treat gingivitis, tonsillitis, mouth ulcers, and bad breath (halitosis).
How Can Vervain Benefit You?
1. Vervain Treats Anxiety And Sleep Issues
Anxiety and sleep issues can turn your life upside down. But you don’t have to rely solely on medications and experience side effects. Studies show us the anxiolytic and sedative effects of vervain that may aid insomnia treatment (1). This is especially true with blue vervain as it can calm the nervous system and promote mood enhancement.
Another Japanese study showed how one could use vervain as a nerve tonic. Ingestion of vervain was found to improve sleep time and quality (2).
2. May Help Treat Migraine Headaches
Most people suffering from migraines find difficulty in managing them. But thanks to the analgesic properties of vervain, this could be a thing of the past. Vervain soothes the nerves and relaxes your mind – which is why it can help you deal with migraine headaches better and provide optimal stress relief. More research is being done on this, though.
More research is being done on this, though.
3. Boosts Heart Health
We are sure you want to keep your heart healthy. Apart from a healthy diet and regular exercise, taking vervain can also help.
A naturally occurring glycoside in vervain, called cornin, was found to have cardioprotective effects. In one study, animal subjects treated with cornin showed recovery from myocardial ischemia (partial or complete blockage of the arteries). Cornin increases the expression of certain pathways that benefit the heart (3).
Sources suggest vervain even helps treat chest pain (also called angina) and fluid retention due to heart failure.
4. Fights Inflammation
Vervain has the ability to treat inflammation, both internally and externally. One Italian study speaks of how extracts of vervain could fight inflammation in the animal subjects (4). The same study also found that vervain could fight digestive inflammation and the associated gastrointestinal damage as well.
Talking about external inflammation, a Spanish study gives us interesting findings – the anti-inflammatory activity of vervain was the same as a medication used for the condition (5).
5. Treats Menstrual Pain
The analgesic properties of vervain play a role again – these treat menstrual cramps and the associated muscle cramps. Vervain can also reduce the unpleasant menstrual symptoms by offering relaxation.
6. Vervain Boosts Oral Health
Vervain has been used for several centuries to boost gum health. Reports show that even the Celtic people had used vervain as a mouthwash to treat their oral problems. Chewing the plant’s roots was believed to strengthen one’s gums and teeth.
A 2016 study validates the importance of vervain for oral health. Patients with chronic gingivitis (a gum disease) were asked to brush and floss their teeth and rinse their mouths with a vervain mouthwash. Results showed those who used the mouthwash had lower scores of Gingival Index and Plaque Index. This indicates the improvement in the condition after using the vervain mouthwash (6).
Some sources suggest that vervain can also treat halitosis (bad breath), mouth ulcers, and even tonsilitis.
7. Improves Digestive Health
Vervain can stimulate your appetite and acts as a digestive aid as well. And thanks to the antiparasitic properties of the herb, it can rid the body of intestinal worms.
The diuretic properties of vervain also play a role in digestive health. The herb promotes the release of urine and water from the body, thereby assisting diarrhea relief.
8. Vervain Increases Supply Of Breast Milk
It may function as a natural supplement for enhancing breast milk. Though research is still being done, some sources state that vervain has the ability to stimulate breast milk production in nursing mothers. Please consult your doctor before using vervain for this purpose.
Other sources don’t recommend vervain during breastfeeding.
9. Protects The Liver And Kidneys
Several herbalists consider vervain to boost the functioning of a sluggish liver. This, in turn, has a positive effect on hormonal metabolism and balance.
Vervain was also found to cleanse the kidneys and the bladder, thereby cutting the risk of stones. In one report, vervain, along with other herbs like betony and yarrow, was found to treat kidney stones (7).
The antimicrobial properties of vervain help cleanse the liver and kidneys of toxins and prevent infections. The active ingredients – aucubin and oleanolic acid – in vervain also have hepatoprotective effects.
TriviaThe herb is mythical for sure, isn’t it? The name itself feels out of the world. And so do the benefits. But how can you avail the blue vervain benefits? How can you take it?
How To Take Vervain
The best (and the simplest) way to take vervain is in the form of a tea. Preparing the tea is dead simple. All you need is a vervain tea bag.
Here are the directions:
- Add water to a saucepan and bring it to a boil.
- Add the vervain tea bag to a teapot.
- Pour the hot water into the teapot and allow it to steep for about 5 minutes.
- Remove the teabag. You can add honey or lemon to improve the flavor.
In addition to being consumed as a tea, vervain can also be taken as a tincture or capsule, providing more options for including this plant in your diet.
Michael Vertolli, a herbalist and blogger, processes vervain for making a tincture. It involves a meticulous approach to harvesting the herb. In one of his blog posts, he writes, “Blue vervain is unusual in that the flavor of the entire stalk is pretty strong… for the most part I still only use the less stiff and more succulent parts of the stalk (i).”
Simple, isn’t it?
But hold on, does vervain have any side effects?
Though vervain is generally safe, pregnant and breastfeeding women must be wary. Since there is no information on the safety of vervain intake during this period, it is best to stay away from it. Also, please consult your doctor.
Infographic: 6 Ways Vervain Can Benefit You
Vervain may not taste as delicious as your morning coffee, but it is called a magical or mythical plant for a reason. There are several advantages of incorporating it into your diet. Check out the infographic below to know about a few of them.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
Vervain is a herbal remedy and a traditional medicine for various health disorders. Vervain, also known as the “herb of grace”, has been known for its healing and therapeutic properties since ancient times. Rich in alkaloids, glycosides, oils, and tannins, vervain benefits your cardiovascular, digestive, and oral health, may promote overall detoxification, and helps calm anxiety and migraine headaches as well. Vervain tea is the easiest and simplest way to include this medical herb in your daily routine. However, its safety for pregnant and breastfeeding women remains unestablished as of yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can vervain help with the cold?
According to one study, the antibacterial, secretolytic, and expectorant properties of vervain can be used to treat sinus and throat irritation, as well as colds, fevers, tightness in the chest, and other upper respiratory tract illnesses (8).
Can vervain interact with other medications?
No, but it is still advisable to consult your healthcare specialist before consuming it if you have underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disorders.
How can vervain be used for respiratory problems?
You can drink vervain as an herbal infusion or use it in powdered form for respiratory problems, such as throat and sinus infections. However, relevant studies are needed to understand the role of vervain in the treatment of these ailments.
Illustration: Vervain: 9 Benefits Of This Mythical Herb + How To Make The Tea
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team
Discover the amazing health benefits of vervain/blue Vervain tea! Check out this video and learn how this natural remedy can help improve your overall health and well-being.
Personal Experience: Source
StyleCraze's articles are interwoven with authentic personal narratives that provide depth and resonance to our content. Below are the sources of the personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. Making Medicine, Part 2 of 5: Preparing Blue Vervain to Make a Tincture
https://michaelvertolli.blogspot.com/2012/07/blue-vervain-part-2-of-3-preparing-herb.html
References
Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.
- “Anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, and sedative…”. US National Library of Medicine.
- “Hypnotic effects of total aqueous extracts of…”. US National Library of Medicine.
- “Cardioprotection against experimental…”. US National Library of Medicine.
- “Effects of differential extraction of…”. US National Library of Medicine.
- “Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of the…”. US National Library of Medicine.
- “Short-term effects of Verbena…”. US National Library of Medicine.
- “Magiferous plants in medieval English herbalism” University of California, Berkeley.
- Verbena officinalis (Common Vervain) – A Review on the
Investigations of This Medicinally Important Plant Species
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