Discover the 5 shocking health benefits of verbena and side effects.

The verbena plant is a lesser-known herbal remedy, but it has a long history of medicinal use when it comes to a variety of systems in the body.

In traditional herbal medicine, it has been used to treat headaches, insomnia, depression, anxiety, kidney stones, gout, jaundice, and more.

It has also been used to improve lactation in nursing mothers and as a natural treatment for painful menstruation.

Does verbena have magical properties? If you start researching this herb, you will see some pretty interesting information, including the suggestion that it has magical powers.

Some sources also say that vervain was used on Jesus’ wounds after he was removed from the cross, so “grass of the cross” is one of his many nicknames.

Let’s take a look at how traditional medicine has used verbena through the years, as well as what scientific studies have revealed about its medicinal powers to date.

I will also tell you about the different forms of Verbena Officinalis. You can even try growing this herb in your garden.

Verbena Vegetal Origin

Verbena is an herb that goes by other common names, such as the simplifier’s joy, the charmer’s plant, the cross herb, Juno’s tears, the dove herb, the dove herb, the dove herb. the dove, the grass of grace, the wild hyssop, the iron grass, the wild verbena, and the Indian hyssop.

The botanical name for verbena is Verbena Officinalis, which is often what it is called in scientific research.

Verbena belongs to the Verbenaceae family, it should not be confused with lemon verbena.

Lemon verbena is a completely different plant, but lemon verbena and verbena belong to the same plant family.

There are also varieties of verbena, including blue verbena (Verbena hastata) and white verbena (Verbena urticifolia).

How is the verbena? It is a slender perennial with serrated leaves and small pale lilac flowers on leafless spikes.

Where does it grow?

Verbena is likely native to Europe, specifically the Mediterranean region, but has become naturalized to other parts of the world, including North America.

The aerial parts (parts of plants on the ground) of Verbena officinalis are used for medicinal purposes.

These parts, namely the leaves and flowers, are known to contain active plant components, such as glycosides (verbenin), alkaloids, tannins, bitter principles, and volatile oil.

These plant chemicals give verbena its antispasmodic, antipyretic (fever-reducing), and diuretic abilities.

Health benefits of verbena

The traditional uses for this herb are many, but what has scientific studies shown when it comes to the benefits of verbena? Let’s take a look!

1.- Benefits of verbena for inflammation

• As I often mention, inflammation is the root of most diseases. When you can decrease inflammation in the body, you can improve so many common, chronic, and even important health concerns.

One of the main benefits of verbena is its ability to decrease both external and internal inflammation.

• Research published in the international journal Planta Medica looked at the effects of several verbena extracts (extracted in various ways) when administered orally to animal subjects.

The researchers found that all verbena extracts “induce remarkable anti-inflammatory activity.” Furthermore, the extracts demonstrated an ability to decrease gastrointestinal damage.

• Another study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology shows that verbena can provide anti-inflammatory effects, as well as pain relievers when applied topically.

2.- Benefits of verbena for Anxiety

• Research published in 2016 looked at the possible positive effects of verbena on the nervous system. The study used animal subjects.

The researchers found that crude verbena extract improved responses to seizures. The time it took to fall asleep also decreased while the duration of sleep increased for the subjects.

• Overall, the study concludes that its results indicate that Verbena Officinalis possesses anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, and sedative activities, providing a scientific basis for its medicinal application in various neurological ailments, such as epilepsy, anxiety, and insomnia.

3.- Improves gum health

• For centuries, verbena has been used to improve gum health. For example, the early Celts used it in mouthwash to help their gum problems.

Combine 2 tablespoons of verbena with 1 cup of boiling water. Let it steep (like a tea) and wait for it to cool down. It can then be used as a mouthwash.

• Is there any science to support the use of a verbena mouthwash to improve gum health? There is.

A double-blind randomized clinical trial published in 2016 looked at the effects of a verbena decoction (basically a verbena mouthwash) in patients with chronic generalized gingivitis, which is a form of gum disease. Subjects brushed their teeth and flossed.

• The test group also rinsed their mouths with the verbena mouthwash. The results were impressive – the vervain test group lowered their scores on both the Gingival Index (GI) and Plaque Index (PI), which is a good thing since the lower the scores on these indices, the more healthy are the gums.

Overall, the results indicated the researcher’s verbena’s ability to improve generalized chronic gingivitis without negative side effects.

4.- Antimicrobial and Antibacterial

• Studies have shown that Verbena Officinalis possesses antibacterial and antimicrobial capabilities.

Something antibacterial can kill bacteria or prevent the growth of bacteria, while antimicrobial means that a substance can kill and prevent the spread of bacteria, as well as fungi and certain viruses.

• A scientific study published in 2016 in the Journal of Medicinal Food looked at verbena essential oil as a possible alternative to traditional chemical pesticides.

They found that verbena essential oil was able to successfully stop the growth of some specific unwanted plant and human pathogens in a dose-dependent manner.

• It is important for scientists to look for natural alternatives to antibiotics, as antibiotic resistance is increasingly becoming a problem these days.

Another 2017 study explored the effects of therapies combining antibiotics and four medicinal herbs, including verbena, on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

• More studies are needed, but the researchers found that Verbena officinalis is an antimicrobial and antibacterial herb that contains bioactive ingredients that may have the potential to help fight drug-resistant infections like MRSA.

5.- Benefits of verbena for heart

• Verbena has been shown to contain a natural plant glycoside called verbenalin or cornin.

A study conducted in 2016 isolated this cornin from the fruit of the plant to examine its possible protective effects against myocardial ischemia, which is when blood flow is reduced to the heart due to a partial or complete blockage of the arteries of the heart.

• The researchers found that animal subjects treated with cornin (30 milligrams per kilogram intravenously) exhibited that their hearts were protected from injury due to myocardial ischemia.

Based on the data, the researchers believe that cornin found in Verbena Officinalis has cardioprotective effects because it increases the expression of compounds in the body that play a key role in cell survival pathways.

History and Interesting Facts

• Verbena has a long history of being revered by many different cultures and peoples, including the Druids, Persians, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Thor worshipers in Scandinavia.

• In ancient Egypt, it was known as a divine herb that was believed to have come from the tears of the goddess Isis when she wept over the death of the god Osiris.

The Romans and Greeks also believed that it was a very sacred and sacred plant, so they used verbena branches to purify the altars of their temples.

• The Greek physician Hippocrates is also said to have recommended Verbena officinalis for fever and plague.

• The roots of verbena were used as a diuretic by the Aztecs who referred to the herb as “urination medicine.” Several Native American tribes used it as a natural treatment for headaches, insomnia, and circulatory problems.

How to use verbena

• If you’re wondering where to buy verbena supplements or the raw herb, both can be found in health stores as well as online.

Verbena officinalis is available in various forms, including powder, tincture, capsules, tea, and the flower elixir. It can be taken as a liquid tincture in a dose of 1 to 2 teaspoons three times a day.

• Essential oil is quite difficult to find, but it can be found online and is sometimes available in specialty stores.

• Verbena tea can also be made from the flower and leaves by adding 1 to 2 teaspoons (2 to 4 grams) to a pint of boiled water. To get the most out of this herbal tea, you should let it sit covered for 10 to 15 minutes. When used medicinally, the common recommendation is 1 to 3 cups of tea per day.

• To help with sleep problems, 1 cup about 30 minutes before bed may be helpful. Some people enjoy adding raw honey or lemon to their verbena tea.

• Verbena officinalis is a medicinal herb that you may consider adding to your current herb garden.

If you are interested in possibly including it in your garden lineup, it is helpful to know that this herb grows best in full sun with well-drained soil.

• It can survive in partial shade too, but it needs good drainage. Verbena officinalis plants and seeds can be found in some garden stores or online.

Side effects of verbena

• Verbena officinalis is generally not recommended for pregnant women because it is a known uterine stimulant.

However, traditionally speaking, it has been taken during the last two weeks of pregnancy to stimulate labor.

Anyone who is pregnant or has ongoing health problems should only take Verbena officinalis under the direction of a trained professional.

• Verbena officinalis currently does not have any well-documented interactions or adverse side effects, but it should not be taken in large doses. Always talk to your doctor before combining any medication with verbena.

• Blue verbena (Verbena hastata) is known to interfere with blood pressure medications. It can also interact with hormone therapy. Large doses will cause diarrhea and vomiting.

• If you haven’t used herbal remedies before, teas can be a great way to benefit from herbs in small doses.

If you don’t like the taste of Verbena officinalis tea, you can find it in many other forms as well. Of course, always speak to a professional if you are unsure how to use an herbal remedy.

Final thoughts

• The verbena has an intriguing and mystical history that goes back thousands of years.

• Sometimes the traditional uses of herbs are not adapted to current science.

• But, as you can see, research has supported many of its historical uses.

• Thanks to its antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, Verbena officinalis can improve gum health.

• It is also a natural sedative and relaxant that many people find helpful for anxiety and sleep problems.