Blue Vervain - Verbena hastata

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 and to alleviate fevers. It is often used to calm nervousness.

Blue vervain contains the phytochemicals saponins, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, terpenes and carbohydrates. Studies have found that it can help with gastric ulcers and diarrhea.¹ Chemical analysis has shown that blue vervain contains cardioprotective substances but human studies on this are sparse. 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.² Studies have shown that it is antimicrobial against  Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella typhi, which cause many serious infections.³

Dosing: Tincture 1-2 ml, 2-4 times a day. 1 ml is about 20 drops.

Possible side effects: This herb is generally considered safe. Allergies though, are always possible so start slowly.

Contraindications:  Do not use it if you have iron deficiency anemia. 

¹Evaluation 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

² Khan 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.

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.

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.