Blue Vervain & Motherwort Tincture - A Soothing Remedy

Verbena hastata, commonly known as blue vervain, is a perennial flowering plant in the vervain family Verbenaceae. It grows throughout the continental United States and in much of southern Canada. The stem, root, and leaves are widely employed in traditional medicine. Indigenous North Americans used the plant to treat colds and coughs, to alleviate fevers, and to calm nervousness. It has been traditionally used as a nervine, or mild sedative and a treatment for seizure disorders. There are studies on animals that show this is true and that may translate to humans.¹ Blue vervain contains the phytochemicals saponins, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, terpenes and carbohydrates. Studies have found that it may help with gastric ulcers and diarrhea.² Chemical analysis has shown that blue vervain contains cardioprotective substances. Studies have shown that it is antimicrobial against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella typhi, which cause many serious infections.³

Motherwort, Leonurus cardiaca, is an herbaceous plant native to Southeastern Europe, and Central Asia. It is the aerial parts that are used medicinally. It was used as a nervine, or nerve tonic in the Middle Ages. It was said to remove sorrow and melancholy, improve cheerfulness, and ease labor. Motherwort is traditionally used for its calming effects, as a relaxant, and antispasmodic. It is used to stop bleeding, and for and symptoms of menopause. The aerial parts of motherwort contain many bioactive compounds including alkaloids such as leonuride as well as terpenoids, glycosides, phenolics, tannins, essential oils, and flavonoids including rutin and quercetin. These substances are anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial, and analgesic. This study⁴ provides a great overview of the uses of motherwort. Because of its alkaloids it is used to promote labor and induce menstruation. There is research that suggests injecting motherwort along with oxytocin can help reduce postpartum bleeding. Traditional Chinese Medicine uses it for heart failure, irregular heartbeat, arrhythmia due to anxiety, and high blood pressure. Motherwort is a bitter herb, with a strong taste.

Dosing: Tincture 1-2 ml, 2-4 times a day. 1 ml is about 20 drops.
Possible Side Effects: Gastrointestinal disturbance, sleepiness, uterine bleeding, allergic reaction.
Contraindications:Sedatives and central nervous system depressants. Pregnancy or breastfeeding. Blood thinners. Iron deficiency anemia. Consult your physician and pharmacist.

¹Khan AW, Khan AU, Ahmed T. Anticonvulsant, Anxiolytic, and Sedative Activities of Verbena officinalis. Front Pharmacol. 2016 Dec 21; 7:499. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2016.00499. PMID: 28066246; PMCID: PMC5174135.

²Evaluation of anti-ulcer and antimicrobial effects of Verbena hastata leaf extract Akuodor G. C.1*, Akpan J. L.2, Ezeunala Mercy N.3, Ajoku Gloria A.3, Essien A. D.1, Megwas A. U.4, Okoroafor Dorcas O.5, Iwuanyanwu T. C.6 and Osunkwo U. A.6

³Sisay M, Bussa N, Gashaw T, Mengistu G. Investigating In Vitro Antibacterial Activities of Medicinal Plants Having Folkloric Repute in Ethiopian Traditional Medicine. J Evid Based Integr Med. 2019 Jan-Dec; 24:2515690X19886276. doi: 10.1177/2515690X19886276. PMID: 31707813; PMCID: PMC6851602.

⁴Leonurus cardiaca L. as a Source of Bioactive Compounds: An Update of the European Medicines Agency Assessment Report (2010) Radu Claudiu Fierascu, Irina Fierascu, Alina Ortan, Ioana Catalina Fierascu, Valentina Anuta, Bruno Stefan Velescu, Silviu Mirel Pituru, Cristina Elena Dinu-Pirvu, First published: 17 April 2019 https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/4303215

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose or treat any illness. I am not a medical professional and cannot diagnose or treat any illness.