vervain

Vervain is a common name for several species of flowering plants in the genus Verbena, in the family Verbenaceae. The best known is Verbena officinalis, called common vervain. The name vervain is also applied to other Verbena species, including blue vervain (Verbena hastata). The term appears in herbal and folkloric traditions as well as in modern herbals.

Description: Vervain species are herbaceous perennials with opposite leaves and slender, often hairy stems. They produce loose inflorescences of small, four-lobed flowers that can be purple, blue, pink, or white. Verbena officinalis is typically about 40–100 cm tall; blue vervain tends to reach up to 1.5 meters. In cultivation they are valued for long flowering and nectar production for pollinators.

Distribution and habitat: Native to Europe and western Asia (for V. officinalis) and North America (for V. hastata). They have naturalized in many regions and are commonly found in meadows, pastures, roadsides, and garden borders, thriving in full sun and well-drained soil.

Uses and effects: Historically vervain has been used in traditional medicine as a mild nervine, to ease insomnia, anxiety, headaches, and digestive complaints, and as a component of love charms and protective rituals in folklore. In modern herbal practice, vervain is sold as teas, tinctures, or extracts, but high-quality evidence for its efficacy is limited. Preparations vary in strength and safety; undiluted essential oils may irritate skin. Potential interactions with sedatives or other central nervous system depressants are possible. People who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid use or consult a clinician due to limited safety data.

Cultivation: Vervain is grown as an ornamental and for pollinator gardens. It prefers sun and well-drained soil, is relatively drought-tolerant, and can be propagated by seed or cuttings.