In Egyptian mythology, vervain grew from the tears of Isis, goddess of
fertility, as she grieved for her murdered brother-husband, Osiris. A
thousand years later, vervain entered Christian mythology as the herb
pressed into Christ's wounds to stanch his bleeding, hence its name
herb-of-the-cross.
Hippocrates recommended vervain for fever and plague. The court physician
to Roman Emperor Theodosius the Great prescribed it for tumors of the throat
(probably goiters). His fanciful prescription advised cutting vervain 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.
The Romans spread vervain throughout Europe, where it became especially
popular among the Druids of pre-Christian England, who used it in magic
spells, hence its name enchanter's herb.
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
cloth over their pimples and the blemishes were supposed to disappear.
From acne, vervain evolved into a treatment for other skin problems.
Seventeenth-century herbalist Nicholas Culpeper wrote: "The leaves bruised,
or the juice mixed with vinegar, does wonderfully cleanse the skin, and take
away morphew (dandruff)." Culpeper also recommended vervain to treat
jaundice, gout, cough, wheezing, bleeding gums, shortness of breath, fever
and kidney stones.
European animal studies show vervain depresses heart rate, constricts the
bronchial passages, and stimulates the intestine and uterus. Because it may
depress heart rate, anyone with congestive heart failure history or a
history of heart disease should not use it. The possibility of bronchial
constriction might cause problems for asthmatics and those with other
respiratory conditions. Intestinal stimulation might aggravate chronic
gastrointestinal conditions, for example, colitis. And pregnant women
should steer clear of vervain because of its possible effect on the uterus—
except possibly at term and under the supervision of a physician to help
induce labor.
Formulas & recipes
How to use blue vervain
You can combine with other herbs, spices and flowers in tea blends or use to make a tincture.
How to make
blue vervain tincture recipe
- Add blue vervain to a clean container with a good seal such as a mason jar
- Pour vodka about 1 inch over the top of the herb
- Seal and allow to sit in a cool dark place for 4-6 weeks
- When it reaches your preferred intensity, strain out the blue vervain tincture
Health Benefits
Do not use blue vervain during pregnancy without the guidance of a medical professional experienced in the administration of this herb.
