Vervain

by Jane Ellwood

Caution: You must contact your GP or suitably qualified Herbalist if you intend taking any form of herbal preparation.  Articles published on this website are for information only.

Vervain (Verbena officinalis)

Vervain is found across all Europe, China, Japan. It can be found growing wild in the UK.

Constituents: Alkaloids, choline, essential oil, flavonoids.

Medicinal uses: Antispasmodic for tension and stress relief, sedative, diaphoretic, hypnotic, thymoleptic, galactogogue, alterative, emmenogogic, aphrodisiac, anti-diarrhoetic. (Bartram 1995, p443). Vervain has been used to treat Post viral fatigue syndrome, ME, epilepsy, and exhaustion and hepatic diseases such as jaundice. It has also been used to treat the psychological symptoms of depression, paranoia and agoraphobia (Bartram 1995, p443). Hoffman (2002 - no page) suggests its use for depression and melancholy, also for fevers and gall bladder disease.

Dose: Tea - 1-2 tsp of herb in cup of boiling water; Extract (liquid) - 0.5 - 1 tsp in water; Tincture (1:1) - 5-10ml (Bartram 1995, p443).

Cautions and interactions - Vervain should not be used in pregnancy (Bartram 1995, p443).

Comments: Vervain seems to be a good tonic remedy for depression following illness, particularly during convalescence or the depression associated with chronic conditions such as ME or Post viral fatigue syndrome.

References

© Jane Ellwood
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