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BLUE
VERVAIN (Verbena officinalis, Verbena hastata ) |
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Famiglia
: Verbenaceae |
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Common
Names: |
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Vervain,
Blue Vervain, American vervain, False vervain, Purvain, Wild
Hyssop, Indian Hyssop, Simpler's Joy , Traveler's joy, Herb
of Grace. Herbe SacrÈe. Herba veneris. |
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Habitat |
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Blue vervain is a bristly perennial native to the northern
U.S. and Canada and also to be found in England and Italy,
where it is found growing by roadsides and in sunny pastures.
Also found in China and Japan. |
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It
was chosen as an ingredient of Ron
Ron because: |
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it
is a good galactogogue - affects endocrine system and hormone
function due to its ability to promote the flow of milk or lacteal
secretion in breastfeeding women - in all other women it regulates
hormonal production and thus naturally affects the development
of the breast, the main receptor for female hormones. |
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Other
characteristics and properties: |
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* Tonic - affects all systems due to its ability to invigorate
and strengthen all systems and organs* good for alleviating
menstrual pains and aches - helpful with female disorders
and increases menstrual flow (emmenagogue)* diaphoretic -
affects liver and detoxification systems due to its ability
to increase perspiration, and promote toxin release through
the skin; also used to assist immune system and reactivity
due to its ability to break a fever. |
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diuretic - affects liver and detoxification systems due to
its ability to increase the secretion of urine, and excretion
of waste through the urine* depurative - affects liver and
detoxification systems due to its ability to cleanse and purify
the system, particularly the blood, by promoting the excretion
and removal of waste material* antipyretic - affects immune
system and reactivity due to its ability to reduce or prevent
fever* anti-inflammatory - affects immune system and reactivity
due to its ability to counteract inflammation* antirheumatic
- affects immune system and reactivity due to its ability
to prevent or relieve rheumatic pain and rheumatism.* expectorant
- affects immune system and reactivity due to its ability
to facilitate the removal of the secretions of the broncho-pulmonary
mucous membrane and cause expulsion of mucus from the respiratory
tract. The warm tea, taken often, is recommended for fevers
and colds, especially for getting rid of congestion in throat
and chest* vermifuge - affects immune system and reactivity
due to its ability to cause the expulsion of intestinal worms*
vulnerary - affects immune system and reactivity due to its
ability to heal and treat wounds* a natural tranquilizer -
used for insomnia, anxiety, tension, stress and other nervous
conditions* antispasmodic - affects nervous system and nerve
function due to its ability to prevent or relieve spasms of
muscles* astringent - affects endocrine system and hormone
function due to its ability to cause contraction of tissues.
Usage
Warnings. Do
not use during pregnancy. |
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History
and Curiosities |
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Blue
vervain was used by various Native American tribes to treat
fever, colds, coughs and lung congestion. The Cherokee also
used it as a remedy for old bowel complaints, diarrhea and dysentery.
Blue vervain has seen use as an analgesic in earache and afterbirth
pain and is a deobstruent for menstruation.The name Vervain
is derived from the Celtic ferfaen, from fer (to drive away)
and faen (a stone), as the plant was much used for affections
of the bladder, especially calculus. Another derivation is given
by some authors from Herba veneris, because of the aphrodisiac
qualities attributed to it by the Ancients. Priests used it
for sacrifices, and hence the name Herba Sacra. |
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The
name Verbena was the classical Roman name for 'altar-plants'
in general, and for this species in particular. The druids
included it in their lustral water, and magicians and sorcerers
employed it largely. It was used in various rites and incantations,
and by ambassadors in making leagues. Bruised, it was worn
round the neck as a charm against headaches, and also against
snake and other venomous bites as well as for general good
luck. It was thought to be good for the sight. Its virtues
in all these directions may be due to the legend of its discovery
on the Mount of Calvary, where it staunched the wounds of
the crucified Saviour. Hence, it is crossed and blessed with
a commemorative verse when it is gathered. It must be picked
before flowering, and dried promptly. |
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Other
Species: |
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Verbena
Jamaicensis (JAMAICA VERVAIN) grows in Jamaica, Barbados, and
other West Indian islands, bearing violet flowers. The juice
is used in dropsy and for children as an anthelmintic and cooling
cathartic. The negroes use it as an emmenagogue, and for sore
and inflamed eyes. As a poultice, with wheat-flour, the bruised
leaves are used for swelling of the spleen, and for hard tumours
at their commencement.V. Lappulaceae (BURRY VERVAIN), another
West Indian herb, with pale blue flowers, is a vulnerary sub-astringent,
being used even for very severe bleeding wounds in men and cattle,
especially in Jamaica.V. hastata (BLUE VERVAIN, Wild Hyssop,
Simpler's Joy) is indigenous to the United States, and is used
unofficially as a tonic emetic, expectorant, etc., for scrofula,
gravel, and worms. |
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A
fluid extract is prepared from the dried, over-ground portion.V.
Urticifolia. The root, boiled in milk and water with the inner
bark of Quercus Alba, is said to be an antidote to poisoning
by Rhus Toxicodendron.V. Sinuata. An infusion of the root, taken
as freely as possible, is said to be a valuable antisyphilitic. |
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