Verbena - Growing Verbena, Properties And Uses Of Verbena, Essential Oil Of Verbena, Contraindications

2023 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 07:22

Verbena

Useful properties and application of medicinal verbena

Botanical characteristics of verbena officinalis

Verbena officinalis is a herb or shrub with an erect or creeping stem that grows up to 100 cm. The leaves of the plant are small, opposite, oblong. Small flowers are collected in panicle inflorescences. Verbena flowers can be of different colors and shades. Verbena blooms from early summer to mid-October. It grows in North America, Europe and Asia, in Russia (except for the northern part of the middle zone). Stems, leaves and flowers are harvested during the flowering period, the roots are harvested in autumn or spring.

Growing verbena

Cultivation of verbena does not require special knowledge and effort, but there are still some features of its breeding. To get seedlings, the seeds must be sown in February, after germination, you can plant sprouts on the site in March. It is advisable to use loamy soil containing humus. It needs to be slightly fed with nitrogenous fertilizers in advance, an excess of them will lead to the fact that the plant will bloom poorly. Verbena loves light and warm places and abundant watering.

The beneficial properties of verbena

In terms of chemical composition, verbena differs in the content of iridoid glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, steroids, carotene, alkaloids. Mucous substances, essential oil, bitterness, soluble silicic acid have a beneficial effect on the human body.

Verbena has an antispasmodic, analgesic, choleretic effect. Its restorative and tonic properties help to easily cope with various diseases. Verbena officinalis normalizes metabolism and improves the functioning of the digestive tract. In the postpartum period, taking verbena-based products enhances uterine contraction and stimulates lactation.

Application of verbena

In folk medicine, verbena is used for colds, headaches, colic in the intestines. Tea and a decoction of verbena leaves and flowers are an excellent healing potion. Verbena is able to stimulate appetite, is used for cholecystitis, neurodermatitis, gallstone disease, gastritis, hepatitis: 1 tablespoon of the herb must be poured with 1 glass of boiling water, leave for 20 minutes, drain. Take an infusion of 100 ml 2 times a day.

The use of verbena contributes to a quick recovery from laryngitis, pneumonia, acute respiratory diseases, bronchitis, due to the diaphoretic properties of the substances contained in the plant. This beneficial herb is effective for improving well-being and getting rid of acne, boils, psoriasis, ulcers, eczema. The herb has an excellent effect on the body in chronic gastritis, increases the content of gastric juice.

To prepare a medicinal broth, you need 1 tablespoon of chopped herbs, pour 0.5 liters of water, cook over low heat for 5 minutes. The broth is infused for 45 minutes, filtered, boiled water is added to get the initial volume. It is recommended to take this medicine for 1/2 cup 4 times a day.

External use of the plant in the form of compresses, lotions for inflammatory skin diseases, rashes and difficult healing wounds provides the body with antimicrobial protection, helps to cleanse the skin. In case of inflammation of the oral mucosa, verbena infusions are used in the form of rinsing, this is also effective in getting rid of an unpleasant odor. The root is brewed in the treatment of scrofula, mumps, used as an absorbent for abscesses.

Cleaning blood vessels with verbena

Verbena is an excellent raw material for the preparation of miraculous remedies that allow you to strengthen and cleanse the walls of arteries and veins, to restore damaged capillaries and vascular tone. The saturation of each organ cell with oxygen and nutrients depends on the ability of the vessels to pass blood. If these functions are impaired, health problems arise.

Verbena preparations reduce blood viscosity, increase the elasticity of blood vessels and the effectiveness of complex therapy while strengthening immunity, improve microcirculation, normalize metabolic processes at the cellular level, and lower cholesterol levels.

Verbena tea

Verbena tea is effective for cardiovascular diseases, varicose veins, thrombophlebitis. Rapid fatigue and chronic fatigue disappear in the treatment of vervain diseases of the liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and cerebrovascular accidents. With violations of peripheral blood circulation, dystrophic, sclerotic diseases of the eyes, the state of health improves, headache is eliminated.

Verbena essential oil

The aromatic essential oil of verbena has a positive effect on irritability and apathy, helps to eliminate cerebral vasospasm, dizziness and nausea. This is an excellent remedy that can be used for asthenia and vegetative-vascular dystonia. The regenerating properties of the essential oil of verbena contribute to the rapid restoration of tissues after bruises, fractures and sprains, and accelerate the process of resorption of hematomas.

Applying the oil to the skin can cause mild tingling, warmth, and redness. If it only lasts 2-3 minutes, then the oil can be used. It is forbidden to consume essential oil on an empty stomach and more than 3 drops a day. It should be taken mixed with honey or washed down with acidified water.

Verbena tincture

Tinctures from the aerial part and verbena roots contain essential oil, ascorbic acid, bitterness, tannins, flavonoids, verbenamine, aucubin, silicic acid, vitamins, trace elements and many other useful substances. The medicinal properties of verbena infusions are used for tumors of the genital organs and for sexual weakness.

Verbena works great as a diaphoretic and contraceptive. The plant increases the secretion of gastric juice, tones the nervous system, normalizes liver function, helps with ARVI and pneumonia.

Contraindications to the use of verbena

Treatment with verbena medicinal preparations is contraindicated in hypertension, with individual intolerance to any of the components. It is not recommended to take funds for children under 14 years of age. Pregnant women are advised to refrain from using infusions and decoctions, teas and essential oils. Long-term use of verbena-based preparations can irritate the intestinal mucosa.

The author of the article: Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna | Phytotherapist

Education: Diploma in "General Medicine" and "Therapy" received at the Pirogov University (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Phytotherapy at the Peoples' Friendship University of Moscow (2008).