Photo taken by Dr. Jiselle Griffith ND at Bayfront Park in Hamilton, ON
I was recently introduced to this beauty by my friend and colleague Dr. Jacqui Wilkins ND in her herbal mentorship program. It is perhaps one of the most bitter plants I’ve ever tasted.
Understanding and befriending plants growing locally is really what lends to the most perfect medicine. Learning what grows and thrives around us offers an opportunity to recognize how plants give freely what they have and our gratitude can be offered in return. Seeing where plants live helps me understand what conditions in nature they can survive and support in peoples bodies. This lens of seeing and understanding plant medicine is like a divining tool for me as I prescribe and choose between several plants with similar scopes of treatment.
As an example, blue vervain’s gift of grounded expansion speaks to their rooting in dampness with low lying leaves, and ability to flower straight up and and out to the sky - experiencing the two worlds and somehow bridging them together in a harmonious existence.
I personally struggle with settling mentally and physically long enough to write, read and create. Sipping vervain as I write this passage has noticeably helped me ground enough to reengage in writing and other focused tasks, while still exploring and developing ideas and visions as they are hatching. Rooted yet expansive.
Much like the liminal time we’ve all entered, there is a calling for us to bridge what came before toward what we are expanding into in the times ahead. All while rooted in the very real truths we are experiencing right now.
Blue Vervain has numerous active constituents that give rise to the plants offerings. Two unique ones are verbenolin and hastatoside are supportive of sleep [1]. While others benefit digestion, the nervous system, and hormonal regulation. Vervain is an extremely helpful plant for cooling hot flashes, soothing nervous stomachs, easing muscle spasms and tensions.
The dualistic nature of Vervain makes it elementally water as this plant grows best in boggy, sandy, swampy places and support the water element organs of kidney and urinary bladder [1]. It also holds air and ether aspects as it reaches and expands skyward in growth and acts on the overwrought nervous system [2]. Vervain is quite resilient growing from spring straight through to late fall found in temperatures as low as -40ºC. So it can be supportive for those feeling depleted and easily affected by weather changes.
Vervain’s bitterness pushes most to use it in a fresh tincture. However if you don’t mind or even crave bitter, 1/2 teaspoon of dried leaves steeped for 5-8 minutes in a cup of water makes a good brew [2]. Adding ginger and lemon balm can aid digestion, or adding Motherwort and Black Cohosh can support menopausal symptoms [1]. When tending to a an anxious or unsettled heart, Jacqui Wilkins ND recommends blending with rose, elderflower or lemon balm. And for sleep with lavender and skullcap [2].
In her research, Dr. Beverly Yates ND found Blue Vervain to show benefit in treating ‘…mood, inflammation and hormonal imbalances, [and notes that ]… researchers hypothesized that blue vervain can exert cytoprotective effects on the cells of the central nervous system’ [3].
Like many plants, Blue Vervain is multifaceted in ways it can support health and healing. If you’re using plant medicine, to find out what aspects of a plant work best for you, pay attention to not only the physical effects but also the emotional and energetic sensations. Vervain can work well to take the edge off of nervous agitation, perfectionism tendencies and soothe desires for order, control and planned details [2].
On a cautionary note, using plant medicine safely means being aware of contraindications and interactions with medications or health conditions. Vervain is to be avoided if you have allergies or sensitivities to the family Verbenaceae, are on anti-coagulent therapy, may be pregnant or experience hypertension. Large doses may induce nausea and/or vomiting, or miscarriage [3].
If you’re still learning about different herbs, it’s best to get support to work with herbs internally or topically with a licensed health practitioner trained in herbal medicines. Or try other practices such as sitting with and connecting to a plant in their habitat, or bringing them into your home can also safely help you know more about its effect upon you.
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References:
Evolutionary Herbalisim. Materia Medica Vol. 5: Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata). PDF file ( n.d.) https://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Blue-Vervain-Verbena-hastata.pdf
Wilkins, Jacqui. Vervain// Verbena hastata {NEW MOON}. PDF File (Lecture Notes: Xálish Medicines: Exploratory Herbal Mentorship, Spring 2020).
Yates, Beverly. Blue Vervain (Verbena officinalis) An overview of the research and clinical indications. PDF file (n.d.) http://cdn.naturaldispensary.com/downloads/Blue_Vervain.pdf