How To Use Blue Vervain
Introduction
This is an update to a blog I wrote many years ago.
I desire to start off by saying I retrieve Bluish vervain is 1 of the prettiest plants of our region, peculiarly in big stands blooming over a wetland expanse.
I have been using Blue vervain as a medicinal institute for many years and consider it a safe, non-sedating nervine,
The focal
Botanical Notes
Blueish vervain and the other plants in this web log are in the Verbenaceae (Vervain family). Due to taxonomic revisions, some plants have been moved from this family into the Lamiaceae (Mint family) including Vitex (Vitex agnus-castus).
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Vitex (Vitex agnus-castus, Lamiaceae) -
Vitex (Vitex agnus-castus, Lamiaceae
There are ii master groups of Vervains in the Us. Some of these tin can be visually separated based on their inflorescences (flower tops). The 'Mock vervains' often have a apartment-topped inflorescence and are in the genus Glandularia. The 'True v
Medicinally, the Verbenas are the ones more than commonly used medicinally, though some herbalists also use plants in the genus Glandularia.
Glandularia species (formerly Verbena)
Other Interesting Plants in the Verbenaceae
There are other attractive and interesting genera in the Verbenaceae. Lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora) is one of my favorite tea plants, with a best-of-lemony flavour. Another tasteful one is Aztec sweet herb, also known as Hierba dulce (Phyla [Lippia]
Other Verbena Species
Blue vervain seems to be the most mutual Verbena species currently used medicinally, though many other species are used by Indigenous Nations and with other folks where Blue vervain does not grow.
European Vervain (Verbena Officinalis)
European vervain, or known merely as 'Vervain' has a long history of utilize in the UK for both medicinal and magical uses. I planted a few plants some years ago, and since then, each yr a few come upward between the flagstones (see photos). What is surprising is that while they do non get very big, they survive getting stepped upon on a regular basis. Tough picayune plants they.
I have used it similarly to Blue vervain but not nearly as oft. I inquired amidst my herbalist friends how they use information technology, and here are some of the means they utilise it.
At that place are many medicinal similarities between V. officinalis and Five. hastata, as they share similar uses concerning anxiety, agitation and tension. It is used as a general nervine for anxiety, and a long-term tonic for people who concur onto ethics or thoughts also strongly, making any sort of change difficult. Like Blueish vervain, it can aid repose the listen especially if taken regularly.
European vervain is also used for PMS and menopausal symptoms including headaches, irritability and mood swings. Another use is for people who take disturbed sleep and to help them relax into a more peaceful sleep.
It has an association with the Druids and has long been used every bit a sacred herb in rituals and for protection.
Wildcrafting and Processing Blue Vervain
Blue vervain grows in a variety of habitats, though I almost often see it in wetland environments, peculiarly in marshes and alongside streams and ponds. While information technology is not uncommon, it tends to grow in scattered populations and restraint should be used when gathering these plants. Look for large stands and gather only limited amounts from each expanse. Generally, just the leaves and flowering tops are used, though I gather the whole plant from the base rather than cut pieces off individual plants, which may leave them more than decumbent to disease. Gather the plants just before and at the height of their flowering (in botany speak, this is called 'anthesis').
If drying the plant, I suggest using a dehydrator gear up to 95°F. Blueish vervain tends to turn brown pretty easily, but if you dry the leaves and flowers rapidly, they will hold some of their color longer. If drying on a tarp, or some other like method, dry out inside in a sunny area so that dries quickly.
One time dried and properly stored, they maintain their medicinal qualities for about three years.
Blue Vervain Preparations
I generally use Bluish vervain in tea and tincture form. The tea is quite bitter, so I advise going light when preparing it this way. Or prepare it with less biting plants such every bit Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum), Damiana (Turnera diffusa) or Rose (Rosa spp.).
To prepare a tincture, you can either use fresh or dried Blue vervain foliage and flowering tops. You tin run across by the beneath photo, that the quality can vary a lot when preparing medicines, so either gather and dry it yourself or detect a good source of quality found material.
I prepare the fresh plant tincture at 1:3 in 80% ethanol and the stale tincture at one:4 in 50% ethanol. I have not tried glycerites or other forms of this medicine yet.
Medicinal Uses of Blueish Vervain
Blue vervain (Verbena hastata) is commonly used for emotional and psychological well-being, especially for weather condition relating to feet and feeling overwhelmed. This plant is a nervine, an herbal tonic that can be taken over a menses of time to nourish the nervous arrangement. It tin also be taken as needed for acute feet, but its strength lies in its long-term nervous system affects.
Beneath are examples for those whom this plant may be helpful. But these are but illustrations and hopefully don't limit anyone wanting to endeavor it, peculiarly since it is well tolerated and non-sedating.
Bluish vervain can exist helpful for people who experience perpetually stressed-out and may describe themselves as having frayed fretfulness or being tightly wound with an inability to relax.
Anxiety can be divided into two subtypes. The non-Blue vervain type: when anxious, thoughts become very scattered or one's mind may go blank, making it hard to make any decisions. Feet may bring mental fragmentation and an inability to focus. The Blue vervain blazon: when anxious, as when plans change abruptly, this person may go very focused and controlling and start telling everyone what to exercise. \
It tin can exist difficult for them to be a skillful listener due to a full mind or besides latched onto a specific thought to modify it in whatsoever style. Verbena hastata may besides be helpful for people who take difficulty falling asleep due to active thoughts, rampant ideas, continual list-making, or plotting revenge while trying to fall asleep. Another trait is having contingency plans for their contingency plans for their contingency plans. Over-planning can make it difficult to accommodate to any changes that may occur. A classic Blueish vervain type are people who are habitual list makers and only feel satisfied when they have crossed everything off their daily list only to start a new one, advert infinitum.
Many of the above descriptions share like characteristics ofttimes associated with emotional and mental health. Please use these as concepts rather than hard facts when deciding when to use Bluish vervain medicinally.
Combinations with Other Plants
Blueish vervain combines well with other nerve tonics, anxiolytic (anxiety reducing) plants and sleep aids. Another plants that help with the 'nerves' and anxiety include Rose flower and buds (Rosa species), Damiana (Turnera diffusa), Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), Wild oats (Avena sativa) and Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum).
The slumber aid plants include Hops (Humulus lupulus), Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) and Kava kava (Piper methysticum). This group of plants is generally more sedating and so it may be improve to take them at dark or in lower doses during the mean solar day
Dosages for Blueish Vervain
Tea-since Blue vervain is bitter, it is helpful to pair it with more tasteful nervine plants such as Tulsi and Rose. Infuse this tea by pouring ane quart of hot water over approximately ane ounce of tea and letting it steep for about 10 minutes. Rose dearest can exist added for both information technology's medicinal value and of grade, the flavor.
Tincture-as a long term tonic, it is commonly mixed with other nervines (encounter 'Combinations') and taken ii-4 times a day. If the tincture is only Blue vervain, accept 1-2 ml (1/ii-1 dropperful) per dosage. If mixed with stronger sedative herbs such as Hops, using a smaller dose may be a better daytime pick depending on one's sensitivity to the herbs.
If the tincture is taken for anxiety a stronger dose of 2-iv ml (1 to 2 dropperfuls) can be taken as often equally needed. The plant is mostly non-sedating.
At first, an individual may non notice a deviation in how they feel, but in a few weeks they may feel that they accept amend control from feeling overwhelmed or find that they react less strongly to triggers, both internal and external. I oasis't seen many negative reactions to this plant medicine, though for some people it does not assistance.
Blue Vervain Handout
This is a link to a printable Bluish vervain handout
Stop Notes
Blue vervain is one of my favorite plants for the emotional rigors of the modern world: The incessant input of information and the quick responses that are expected of u.s..
Plants and other medicines are only a part of the way we can absurd our thoughts and regain our emotional composure. At that place are numerous other techniques such as taking walks and allowing one's heed to drift into their environment. Having intimate conversations with trusted friends. Playing. Hot baths with a good book. I call back each of united states has our ain emotional release valves and these along with a skilful bitter cup of Blue vervain, Tulsi, Damiana with a little Rose honey can make the challenges we face more bearable.
Please leave any thoughts, comments or questions below. Thank y'all for reading through this blog, ~7Song
How To Use Blue Vervain,
Source: https://7song.com/blue-vervain-verbena-hastata-monograph-medicinal-uses-preparations-and-botanical-notes/
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