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Blue Vervain Herb
Blue Vervain Herb refers to a perennial herb native to North America that is
also known as by its botanical name, Verbena hastata. Often referred to as American
Blue Vervain, Blue Vervain, False Vervain, Herb of Grace, Herbe Sacrée, Indian
Hyssop, Purvain, Simpler’s Joy, Swamp Verbena, Traveler’s Joy, Vervain, and
Wildy Hyssop; Blue Vervain Herb can be found growing along roadsides, in open
sunny fields, thickets, and in waste places. Used originally in Iroquois witchcraft
medicine, Blue Vervain Herb is now popularly used in a variety of alternative
herbal medical treatments.
The Blue Vervain Herb is a perennial herb whose quadrangular stem can grow
up to 2 to 5 feet in height. Its leaves grow up to three to six inches in length
and are oblong-lanceolate. Blue Vervain Herb contains flowers that are small
and range between two to three inches in length. The flowers are deep-blue or
purplish-blue and can be described as pale-lilac. They have five petals and
are arranged on long spikes in a panicle. Blue Vervain Herb also consists of
a fruit that consists of four nutlets which ripens after the plant flowers.
Blue Vervain Herb’s flowers bloom from June to September and the plant is gathered
just before its flowers open. It is then dried for later her use.
Blue Vervain Herb is historically associated with sorcerers, witches, and magic.
It was worn around the neck as a preventative against headaches and venomous
bites. It is now used for a variety of herbal treatments. Its leaves and roots
are considered to hold a variety of medical properties. Blue Vervain Herb’s
leaves and roots are used as: an abortifcaient, an antidiarrheal, an analgesic,
an anthelmintic, an antiperiodic, an astringent, a diaphoretic, an emetic, an
expectorant, a sedative, a tonic, a vermifuge, and a vulnerary. Taken as a warm
tea, Blue Vervain Herb is used as a treatment to fevers and colds. This is due
to its ability to reduce congestion in the throat and chest. Blue Vervain Herb
tea is also recommended to treat nervous conditions such as insomnia and it
has also been shown to be effective: in the elimination of intestinal worms;
and in the treatment of ulcers, pleurisy, scrofula, and gravel. Used externally,
Blue Vervain Herb has been cited as a valuable treatment against sores and wounds.
Taken cold, the infusion works as an effective female tonic. The infusion of
Blue Vervain Herb has also been used as a way to: increase breast milk; help
pass kidney stones; and treat infections of the bladder.
The recommended dosage of Blue Vervain Herb in an infusion is the use of 2
tsp. of herb with 1 pint of boiling water. If the infusion is used as a tonic,
it is recommended that 2 to 3 tsp. be taken and drank six times a day. If prepared
as a tincture, it is recommended that 10 to 20 drops at a time be used. Although,
Blue Vervain Herb has not been associated with any significant side effects,
it is recommended that pregnant women not use it as Blue Vevain Herb is a uterine
stimulant. However, this does not apply during labor.
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