BLUE VERVAIN (Verbena officinalis, Verbena hastata )

FAMILY : Verbenaceae
Common Names: 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.
Habitat: 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.
It was chosen as an ingredient of Wonderup because: 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

Other characteristics and properties:
* 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

* 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.

History and Curiosities:
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. 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.

Other Species
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. 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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