Vervain

Vervain

Verbena officinalis

MEDICINAL: Vervain is used to treat the liver and diseases related to the liver, exhaustion, fatigue,

fever, insomnia, asthma, post-natal depression, as well as painful or irregular menses. It will also help

increase the flow of a mother's milk. The Chinese use it to treat malaria, dysentery, and congestion. It is

also a pain reliever and to reduce inflammation. Do not use during pregnancy.

RELIGIOUS: Vervain is used for cleansing incenses and baths. Buried in a field, it will make your

crops abundant. It is burned to attract wealth, and hung above a bed to prevent nightmares, and above a

baby's crib (out of reach!) to offer protection for the little one, and will enable the child to grow up with a

love of learning and a happy outlook. Hung in the home it offers protection from negative spells, and is

used as a pledge of mutual faith when given to a friend.

GROWING:Vervain is a perennial herb that grows 1-2 feet tall. It prefers full sun, average to rich soils,

and is grown throughout temperate North America. It is rather short-lived, but self-sows. Harvest leaves

and flower tops as the plants bloom.