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Verbena

Vervain, also known as pigeon herb, cat's blood herb, legend herb and wishing herb, as well as by its Latin name Verbena officinalis, is a plant whose parts growing above the ground are used to make medicine. Verbena is used to treat sore throats and respiratory diseases such as asthma and whooping cough, as well as heart conditions such as chest pain (angina) and water retention due to heart failure. Vervain is also used for depression, hysteria, seizures, pain in the gallbladder area, gout, metabolic disorders, anemia and fever, as well as for recovery after a fever. Other uses include the treatment of pain, cramps, exhaustion, nervous disorders, digestive disorders, liver and gallbladder disorders, jaundice and disorders of the kidneys and urinary tract. Women use vervain to treat symptoms of menopause, irregular menstruation and to increase milk flow during breastfeeding. Some people apply vervain directly to the skin to treat poorly healing wounds, abscesses and burns, as well as arthritis, rheumatic joint pain, sprains, bruises and itching. Verbena is also used as a gargle solution for cold symptoms and other ailments in the mouth and throat. In combination with sorrel, cowslip, gentian root and elderflower, verbena is used to maintain the health of the sinuses and to treat sinusitis.

In industrial production, verbena flowers are used as a flavoring agent in alcoholic beverages.

How does verbena work?

Vervain contains chemicals that may reduce inflammation.

How effective is vervain?

Vervain may be effective when used in the form of a combination product containing elderflower, gentian root, sorrel and primrose (Sinupretp) to treat sinusitis. The use of this combination product appears to be effective in the treatment of acute or chronic sinusitis.

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of vervain for sore throats, asthma, whooping cough, chest pain, abscesses, burns, colds, arthritis and itching. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of vervain in these applications.

Safety and side effects

Vervain appears to be safe for most people when used in small amounts as part of a combination product containing sorrel, cowslip, gentian root and elderflower (Sinupret). However, there is not enough information on whether verbena is safe and harmless when used in medicinal quantities in a form other than the combination product mentioned. The combination product mentioned may cause indigestion and occasionally allergic skin rash.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and lactation: Not enough is known about the use of vervain during pregnancy and lactation. For this reason, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid verbena.

Interactions

At the present time there is no information on interactions of vervain with medications or supplements.

Dosage

The following dosages have been investigated in scientific studies:

Oral:

  • For infections of the paranasal sinuses: A specific combination product (Sinupret) containing 36 mg elderflower, 12 mg gentian root and 36 mg each of sorrel, cowslip and vervain, three times daily.

References

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