Wild Vervain

Biological Name:

Verbena spp. (Wild-Vervain)

Natural Habitat:

Wild-vervain is a type of flowering plant that grows in a variety of environments, including meadows, fields, and woodlands. It is commonly found in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Description:

Wild-Vervain is a perennial herb that is native to North America. It has small blue or purple flowers and opposite lance-shaped leaves. It is often found in wetland areas and is used in traditional medicine.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What does vervain do to humans?
A: Vervain is a popular remedy due to its multiple plant-beneficial compounds. Some of its benefits include antitumor effects, nerve cell protection, anxiety- and convulsion-reducing properties, and antimicrobial activity.
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Q: Who should not take vervain?
A: No adverse effects of vervain have been reported. Vervain should be avoided during pregnancy. Although, traditionally, its use was during the last two weeks of pregnancy to facilitate labor. Vervain should be used during pregnancy only under the guidance of a healthcare professional experienced in herbal medicine.
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Q: What happens when you smoke vervain?
A: The light purple flowers from the blue vervain plant can be smoked in cannabis blends when dried. It has a relaxing effect which tends to quiet excessive mental chatter. When smoked, blue vervain reduces stress, tension, and nervousness. Its properties help relax the mind and are even reported to be uplifting.
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Q: Can you touch vervain?
A: Status. Vervain is a potent herb and a vampire’s most well-known weakness. If a vampire makes physical contact with vervain in any form, it will burn them.
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Q: What happens if vampires drink vervain?
A: When ingested, vervain causes a vampire to become severely weak and feverish, often to the point of unconsciousness. If a vampire’s skin is exposed to vervain, it results in burns, although it is less severe if the vampire has a tolerance to it.
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Q: Are all vervain medicinal?
A: Not all are used medicinally in the same ways as vervain. Other medicinal varieties of vervain include blue vervain (Verbena hastata) and white vervain (Verbena urticifolia.)
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Q: Is Lavender a vervain?
A: Vervain Family. Flowers of the Vervain family have a long corolla tube that extends out into 4 or 5 lobes, in our area generally 5 lobes. The flowers are small (!/6 to 1/3 inches or 1 cm wide), generally lavender, and come in spikes or small clusters. They grow on a stem that is about 2 feet or 65 cm tall.
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Q: What is vervain herb used for?
A: Vervain is an herb sometimes used medicinally to treat insomnia, anxiety and depression, and infections. Even so, evidence to support the health benefits of vervain is limited and more research is needed to conclude whether it is safe and effective as complementary medicine.
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Q: What happens when a vampire drinks vervain?
A: When ingested, vervain causes a vampire to become severely weak and feverish, often to the point of unconsciousness. If a vampire’s skin is exposed to vervain, it results in burns, although it is less severe if the vampire has a tolerance to it.
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Q: Is Verbena poisonous to humans?
A: Verbena plants are not poisonous to people. The plants are generally safe, although some varieties are toxic to animals. For instance, purple top verbena is toxic to animals, but most trailing types are safe. When in doubt, it is best to take precautions to keep pets safe.
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Q: Is vervain a sedative?
A: The study’s results clearly showed the scientific validity for the use of this plant as a sedative and possibly as a nerve tonic substance.
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Q: Is wild Verbena edible?
A: The seed are edible when roasted and is ground into a powder (although they are somewhat bitter to taste). Leaves can be made into a tea or tossed into salads, soups, etc. The root can be collected all year round. The flowers can be tossed on top of a salad and eaten.
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Q: Is verbena toxic to humans?
A: Verbena plants are not poisonous to people. The plants are generally safe, although some varieties are toxic to animals. For instance, purple top verbena is toxic to animals, but most trailing types are safe. When in doubt, it is best to take precautions to keep pets safe.
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Q: What is the difference between verbena and vervain?
A: What is Vervain or Verbena? Vervain (Verbena Officinalis) is a flowering plant in the Verbena (Verbenacea) family of plants.
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Q: What are the medicinal uses for verbena?
A: Some people apply verbena directly to the skin to treat poorly healing wounds, abscesses and burns; for arthritis, joint pain (rheumatism), dislocations, bone bruises (contusions), and itching. Verbena is also used as a gargle for cold symptoms and other conditions of the mouth and throat.
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Q: Is verbena a sedative?
A: These results indicate that Verbena officinalis possess anticonvulsant, anxiolytic and sedative activities, which provides scientific background for its medicinal application in various neurological ailments, such as epilepsy, anxiety, and insomnia.
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Q: What does verbena do to vampires?
A: Vervain (or verbena) is a potent herb, and also a vampire’s most well-known weakness. Vervain, if touched by a vampire, can cause burns to the skin.
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Q: How do you eat verbena?
A: ”
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Q: Why is vervain sacred?
A: The old world species of vervain called Verbena officinalis (native to Europe) also served as a sacred plant throughout history. Early Roman priests believed the flowers were formed from the goddess Juno’s tears. The flowers were also used to decorate altars and sacrificial animals.
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Q: What does vervain tea taste like?
A: Today, we drink Vervain Tea less for the supernatural and more for its extraordinarily complex yet delicious taste. When brewed, it has earthy, herbaceous notes with bold astringent undertones. Additionally, many health-conscious individuals choose this beverage for its well-documented benefits.
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Q: Where does vervain grow wild?
A: Blue vervain is a native wildflower that spreads slowly through rhizomes and self-seeding. It can grow in disturbed sites and is commonly found in moist meadows, thickets, pastures, riversides, marshes, ditches, and river-bottom prairies.
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About the author

Samuel is a gardening professional and enthusiast who has spent over 20 years advising homeowners and farm owners on weed identification, prevention and removal. He has an undergraduate degree in plant and soil science from Michigan State University.