VERBENA

''This article is about the plant. For other meanings, see Verbena (disambiguation).''
'''Verbena''' ('Verbena' or 'Vervain') is a genus of annual and perennial herbaceous or semi-woody flowering plants with about 250 species in the family Verbenaceae. The majority of the species are native to the New World from Canada south to southern Chile, but some are also native in the Old World, mainly in Europe including ''V. officinalis, V. supina''.
The leaves are usually opposite, simple, and in many species hairy, often densely so. The flowers are small, white, pink, purple or blue, with five petals, and borne in dense spikes.
;Selected species

★ ''Verbena alata'' ★ ''Verbena bonariensis'' ★ ''Verbena bracteata'' ★ ''Verbena brasiliensis'' ★ ''Verbena canadensis'' ★ ''Verbena carolina'' ★ ''Verbena corymbosa'' ★ ''Verbena elegans'' ★ ''Verbena gracilis'' ★ ''Verbena hastata''

★ ''Verbena hispida'' ★ ''Verbena incisa'' ★ ''Verbena laciniata'' ★ ''Verbena lasiostachys'' ★ ''Verbena macdougallii'' ★ ''Verbena menthifolia'' ★ ''Verbena officinalis'' ★ ''Verbena peruviana'' ★ ''Verbena phlogiflora'' ★ ''Verbena rigida''

★ ''Verbena robusta'' ★ ''Verbena runyonii'' ★ ''Verbena simplex'' ★ ''Verbena stricta'' ★ ''Verbena supina'' ★ ''Verbena tenera'' ★ ''Verbena tenuisecta'' ★ ''Verbena teucroides'' ★ ''Verbena urticifolia'' ★ ''Verbena xutha''

Contents

Diseases

Uses and legends

Herbal Medicine

See also

Diseases

Uses and legends

Vervain is believed to be a galactagogue.
Folk legend states that vervain (Common Vervain ''V. officinalis'') was used to stanch Jesus's wounds after his removal from the cross. Legends also state that vervain is used to protect people from vampires. It says that mixing it in an herbal tea, keeping it near you, and using oil extracted from it in a bath can protect you.

Herbal Medicine

Vervain can be chopped finely and boiled with water to make tea. The tea has been used as a herbal remedy for insomnia at night and for general ailments during the day.
;Vervain Tea Recipes
''FEVER REDUCER''

2 tsp dried Catnip

1 tsp dry Vervain



Pour 2 cups boiling water over herbs. Steep 10 minutes & strain.



''INSOMNIA''

1 ½ oz dried Vervain leaves

1 oz Chamomile

½ oz Spearmint



Mix all and add to 1 cup boiling water. Steep 8 minutes; strain.


''RELAXANT''

1 ½ oz dried Vervain leaves

1 oz Valerian root

½ oz Devils Hoof or Juniper



Allow to steep for 20 mins, use hot but NOT boiling water else you will destroy the active ingredient in the Valerian.

Strain, then drink 20 mins before bedtime.

See also

Lemon verbena