Vervain and Verbena Officinalis are terms that are used to describe the types of flowering plant verbena species that are commonly used for healing and medicinal purposes. The vervain flower blossoms of the Verbena Officinalis plant have five petals and feature small, sharply shaped leaves. The flowering Verbena Officinalis plant typically grows in the wild up to between 12 and 36 inches in height, and it blooms during the summer and fall seasons.
Origination And Uses of Vervain
Verbena Officinalis is a plant that is thought to be native to the Mediterranean and Southern Europe regions but spread to other areas quickly. Verbena Officinalis was a religious and or divine symbol to numerous ancient civilizations, including the Persians, Egyptians, Romans, Greeks, and Scandinavians.
Verbena Officinalis was first used for medicinal purposes by the Aztec people, German people, and the Native Americans. These populations of individuals used Verbena Officinalis to treat insomnia, circulatory problems, and headaches. Verbena Officinalis was used in the 18th century for the treatment of stones in the kidneys, as it stimulates urine dilution and output. A popular homeopathic tincture that was often used in the 1930s that is referred to as Bach Flower Remedy also contained Verbena Officinalis.
Health Benefits
Verbena Officinalis is a natural remedy for bladder infections because it has a diuretic effect on the body. It increases the quantity of urine output, helping to eliminate toxins, pathogens, and dangerous substances from the liver and kidneys. Verbena Officinalis causes better urine dilution, which also helps to eliminate excess fats, salts, and water from the body.
Verbena Officinalis is known to help ease feelings of stress and anxiety, which makes it an excellent natural remedy for individuals who have insomnia. The natural tranquilizing agents in Verbena Officinalis are known to reduce the erratic activity of the central nervous system that is responsible for causing insomnia and sleeplessness. The most popular method of which Verbena Officinalis is used in this way is in a tea blend or oral tincture.
Verbena Officinalis is very helpful for the relief of symptoms that are associated with a sore throat, chest congestion, chronic bronchitis, colds, and respiratory inflammation because it produces an expectorant action in the airways and lungs. An expectorant works by thinning out the mucus that has accumulated in the lung and airway tissues and then lubricating the linings to help expel the mucus.
Verbena Officinalis is known to contain specific bioactive ingredients that have antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, making it an effective remedy to certain infections that are caused by some viruses, fungi, and bacteria. Verbena Officinalis may be especially effective at treating infections caused by Staphylococcus bacteria.
Safety Considerations
Vervain is not recommended for use in individuals who are using or have recently used hormone therapy and or blood pressure medications. Verbena Officinalis can interfere with the action of such treatments and medications, altering the way they work. Verbena Officinalis can cause stimulation of the uterine muscle, so it is not recommended for use in individuals who are pregnant.