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Vervain - Uses and Benefits
Alternative Names:
Pigeonweed,European vervain, Enchanter's plant, Herb of the Cross, Holy herb, Juno's tears, Pigeon's grass, Pigeonweed, Simpler's joy, Herb of Grace
Herb Description
Vervain is an attractive perennial herbaceous plants in the Verbenaceae . The majority of the species are common in the New World from Canada south to southern Chile , but some native in the Old World , mainly in Europe. A perennial plant with pointed leaves are usually opposite, simple and the flowers are tiny, white, pink, purple or blue, with five petals, and borne in dense spikes.
The leaves and roots of this perennial are useful alternative medicine taken as an abortifacient, antidiarrheal, analgesic, anthelmintic, antiperiodic, astringent,sedative, diaphoretic, emetic, expectorant, tonic, vermifuge, vulnerary.This herbaceous plants has been used in herbal medicine to cure nervous disorders and insomnia.It is useful to cure fevers, ulcers, scrofula, gravel,pleurisy,ebb pain in the bowels and expelling worms.
The upper parts of the vervain are taken an effective nerve tonic, liver stimulant, urinary cleanser and fever remedy. Historically,they are also used to increase milk flow and can be taken during labour to enhance contractions. Traditionally, the plant was thought to be a cure-all among medicinal plants and the genus name is Latin for "sacred plant."As a herbal poultice it is good in headache & rheumatism.
Properties
- Sedative.
- Relaxant.
- Nerve tonic.
- Thymoleptic.
- Spasmolytic.
- Mild diaphoretic.
- Hepatic.
- Reputed galactagogue .
Uses and Benefits
As a medical dressing vervain is good in headache, earneuralgia, rheumatism, & may be applied to insect bites, sprains and bruises, & the ointment is used to cure eczema, wounds, weeping sores and to reduce painful neuralgia.Vervain is a traditional treatment for infected gums & tooth decay, halitosis and tonsillitis.
It is generally used externally to treat wounds & piles. It is commonly used in homoeopathy.Vervain is valuable advantage in treating and nourishing the nervous system disorders such as depression, and with other remedies in chronic skin complaints. It is also beneficial to increase the flow of a mother's milk. Do not use during pregnancy.
Vervain is used to treat the liver related problems & cure exhaustion, fatigue, fever, insomnia, asthma, post-natal depression, as well as decrease painful or irregular menses.
Side Effects
It is recommended to avoid vervain in pregnancy as it is uterine tonic, may be used in labour.
Dosage
- Dried herb:
2-4 gm or by infusion,Take three times in a day .
- Liquid Extract:
1:1 in 25% alcohol, 2-4ml .Take three times in a day.
- Tincture:
1:1 in 40% alcohol, 5-10ml .Take three times in a day .
- Tea :
Made from 1 tablespoon of dried herb .Take three times in a day .
Drug Interactions
There were no well-known drug interactions with vervain at the time of writing,hence, it is recommended to avoid excessive use, especially if lactating or pregnant .
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