Vervain was long regarded with awe throughout its natural range. The Romans consecrated it for the purification of their temples and private homes (hiera botane— sacred plant), and also used it medicinally. They also decorated peace messengers with vervain, and they believed it could rekindle dying love. Various preparations of the plant served as remedies for snakebite and diarrhea, while chewing the plant and its root was supposed to strengthen gums and teeth. It was both an ingredient of medieval witches; love spells and a charm against their evil spells.

The court physician to Roman Emperor Theodosius the Great prescribed it for tumors of the throat (goiters). His prescription advised cutting vervain root into two pieces, tying one

around the patient’s throat and hanging the other over a fire. As the heat and smoke shriveled the hanging root, the tumor was supposed to shrink. During the Middle Ages,
vervain became a popular acne remedy. Those with pimples stood outside at night holding a handful of the herb wrapped in a cloth. When a shooting star passed, they rubbed the cloth over their pimples and the blemishes were supposed to disappear.

Properties:

emmenagogue, astringent, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, alterative, diuretic, galactogogue, cholagogue

Applications:

Infusion: take for insomnia and nervous tension or to encourage sweating and stimulate the immune system in feverish conditions. Can also be used as a liver stimulant to improve

poor appetite and digestive function. Sip during labor to encourage contractions and during lactation to stimulate milk flow. Use 2 tsp of dried herb per cup of boiling water. Steep 10-15 minutes. Drink up to 3 cups a day. Mask vervain’s bitterness with sugar, honey, and lemon.

TINCTURE: Take for nervous exhaustion and depression (combines well with oats); as a liver stimulant for sluggish digestion, toxic conditions, or jaundice; and with other urinary

herbs for stones and conditions related to excess uric acid, such as gout. Use ½ to 1 tsp up to three times a day.

POULTICE: apply to insect bites, sprains and bruises

OINTMENT: use on eczema, wounds and weeping sores. Also for painful neuralgia

MOUTHWASH: Use the infusion for mouth ulcers and soft, spongy gums.