Botanical Overview
Verbena officinalis, commonly known as Vervain, belongs to the Verbenaceae family. It is native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa and has been naturalized in North America. The medicinal parts primarily used are the aerial parts, including leaves and flowers.
Common names include Vervain, Common vervain, and Purple vervain.
Energetics
Verbena officinalis is considered cooling and drying in temperature and moisture qualities. It has a bitter and astringent taste profile. Directionally, the herb is descending and outward moving with a relaxing tonicity, acting mainly on the qi aspect of the body.
Primary Actions
- Analgesic
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antispasmodic
- Astringent
- Cholagogue
- Diaphoretic
- Nervine
- Sedative
Indications
Western
- Headache
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Digestive complaints
- Menstrual cramps
- Colds and fevers
- Mild pain
Syndromes
- Nervous tension
- Dyspepsia
- Menstrual irregularities
- Inflammatory conditions
TCM
No well-established traditional Chinese medicine indications documented.
Ayurveda
No well-established Ayurvedic indications documented.
Unani
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Epilepsy
- Fever
Syndromes
- Nervous disorders
- Digestive disturbances
Constituents & Mechanisms
Phytochemicals identified in Verbena officinalis include iridoid glycosides such as verbenalin, various flavonoids, tannins, phenylpropanoids, and essential oils which contribute to its medicinal properties.
Dosage & Preparations
- Infusion: 2–4 g dried herb in 150 mL hot water, 1–3 times daily
- Tincture: 1:5 in 40% ethanol, 2–5 mL 1–3 times daily
- Extract: standardized preparations as per manufacturer directions
Safety & Contraindications
Verbena officinalis is generally safe when consumed in moderate doses. It may cause photosensitivity in susceptible individuals. It is contraindicated during pregnancy due to uterine stimulant effects and should be used cautiously during lactation. Allergic reactions are possible, particularly in persons sensitive to Verbenaceae.
It may potentiate sedative and antispasmodic medications.
Astrological Correspondences
Traditional herbal sources assign Mercury as the planetary ruler and Air as the elemental ruler of Vervain.
Selected References
- Verbena officinalis L. – Plant Resources of Tropical Africa (PROTA), Schmelzer & Gurib-Fakim, 2008
- Verbena officinalis L., herba – European Medicines Agency Herbal Monograph, 2010
- Verbena officinalis Chemical and Ethnobotanical Data – Duke’s Phytochemical Database
- Vervain: Planetary Rulership and Elemental Correspondences – Nicholas Culpeper, 1653
- Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects, 2nd ed., Heinrich et al., 2011