Verbena officinalis or Herb Venus,the old spice Vervain and Its Enchantment Use:From Black Magic to Christin Legend.

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Administration and Application Guide:Verbena officinalis.

Vervain herb Extract INCI Name Verbena Officinalis Extract CAS 84961-67-1 EINECS ELINCS No 284-657-0 Blue Vervain Herb extract Verbena hastata photo picture image How much is usually taken?

 A tea of vervain leaves and flowers is prepared by adding 1-2 teaspoons (2-4 grams) to a pint (500 ml) of hot water which is left to steep, covered, for 10~15 minutes. Three cups (750 ml) per day are typically recommended by doctors. The taste of the tea is fairly disagreeable, therefore, most people prefer a tincture. Tincture, 1~2 teaspoons (5~10 ml) three times per day, is also suggested.

 Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 1-3 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day.
 Tincture: take 2-4ml of the tincture three times a day.

 Traditional Applications in Herbal Medicine:

 Nervine tonic, sedative, anti-spasmodic, diaphoretic, hypotensive, galactagogue, hepatic, tonic, sudorific, expectorant, vulnerary, emetic, emmenagogue, vermifuge.

 Vervain strengthens the nervous system while relaxing any tension and stress. It can be used to ease depression and melancholia, especially when this follows illness such as influenza. It is also used in seizure and hysteria. As a diaphoretic it can be used in the early stages of fevers. As a hepatic remedy it is of help in inflammation of the gall-bladder and jaundice. It may be used as a mouthwash against caries and gum disease.

 Combinations:  In the treatment of depression it may be used with Skullcap, Oats and St. Johns Wort
 Vervain herb Extract INCI Name Verbena Officinalis Extract CAS 84961-67-1 EINECS ELINCS No 284-657-0 Blue Vervain Herb extract Verbena hastata photo picture image

 Typical Preparations

 Traditionally used as a tea, sometimes available in tea bags; also used in herbal teas. Traditional herbal medicines use equal amounts of vervain and sugar. May also be taken as a n extract.

 Summary

 Blue vervain is a diuretic used to treat bladder infections, an analgesic tea for hemorrhoid sufferers (usually drunk but also useful as a wash), an expectorant used to treat chronic bronchitis, and an antirheumatic used to relive joint pain.

 Precautions

 Since the herb can stimulate uterine contractions, avoid during pregnancy.
 Caution:  It should be avoided during pregnancy because it is a uterine stimulant, but it may be taken during labour to stimulate contractions.
 Do not use during pregnancy as it is a uterine stimulant. However, it may be taken during labour.
 Blue vervain should be avoided if there is a history of heart disease.
 Do not use tinctures for liver disorders. Use only the hot water method of extraction.
 It can cause vomiting in high doses.
 Vervain herb Extract INCI Name Verbena Officinalis Extract CAS 84961-67-1 EINECS ELINCS No 284-657-0 Blue Vervain Herb extract Verbena hastata photo picture image

 Preparation and Dosage: (thrice daily)

 Regulatory Status: GSL Schedule 1
 Dried herb: 2-4g or by infusion
 Liquid Extract: 1:1 in 25% alcohol, 2-4ml
 Tincture: 1:1 in 40% alcohol, 5-10ml

 Additional Comments:

 Vervain was one of the sacred herbs of the Druids and was called hiera botane, or sacred plant, by the Romans. Gerard warns against using it for 'witchcraft and sorceries'. It was traditionally believed to be an female aphrodisiac. Until comparatively recently, it was hung round the necks of children to avert infection. It also had a traditional use in the treatment of dropsy; cardioactive glycosides since identified in the plant support this. In China, the plant is known as ma bian cao, and it is used mainly as a fever remedy for malaria and influenza. The Bach flower remedy is indicated in mental stress and over-exertion with insomnia and an inability to relax.

 Interactions:

 Herb-drug: Antihypertensives, drugs used for hypotension: Large amounts of herb may interfere with drug therapy for hypertension or hypotension. Advise patient to avoid use. Question patient regarding herbal use. Drug dosages may need adjustment.

 Disulfiram: Herbal products that contain alcohol may cause a disulfiram-like reaction. Advise patient to avoid using together.

 Hormone therapy: Excessive amounts of vervain can interfere with hormone therapy. Advise patient to avoid using together.

 Levodopa: May enhance antitremor action of levodopa. Advise patient of this effect; monitor patient closely.

 Herb-lifestyle. Alcohol use: May cause additive sedative effects. Advise patient to avoid using together.

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Reference:

citations1.Verbena officinalis or Herb Venus,the old spice Vervain and Its Enchantment Use:From Black Magic to Christin Legend.

last edit date:1st,July.2009.