Verbena: what it is for and how to use it

Verbena is a medicinal plant of the species Verbena officinalis, rich in verbenaline, verbenosides, hastatoside, glycosides, phenolic acids, flavonoids and essential oil, with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, sedative and neuroprotective properties. Therefore, it is widely used to help treat sinusitis, asthma, anxiety, depression or heart problems, for example.

The normally used part of verbena, which is also known as urgebão or iron herb, are the flowers and leaves, from which substances with medicinal properties are extracted for the preparation of tea, inhalation, aromatization or poultice for external use, for example.

Verbena can be purchased at herbalists or health food stores, and should be used under the guidance of a doctor or a professional specializing in medicinal plants.

What is it for

Verbena is popularly indicated for:

• Respiratory tract diseasessuch as colds, asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis and whooping cough;
• Psychological changessuch as anxiety, stress and depression;
• Urinary system changessuch as kidney stones and urinary tract infections;
• Rheumatological diseasessuch as arthritis, gout and rheumatism;
• Heart problemssuch as chest pain, angina, or fluid retention caused by heart failure;
• Neurological changessuch as Alzheimer’s disease;
• Skin injuriessuch as burns, wounds and abscesses.

Furthermore, vervain can be used to help treat sore throat, gingivitis, conjunctivitis, jaundice, menstrual cramps, gallbladder inflammation and to increase breast milk production.

Although it has many benefits, vervain should not replace medical treatment or be used without guidance from a doctor or healthcare professional with experience in the use of medicinal plants.

How to use

The used parts of verbena are the leaves, flowers and essential oil, generally for the preparation of tea, inhalation, poultice, aromatherapy or ophthalmic solution.

1. Vervain tea

Verbena tea helps reduce inflammation, fluid retention, gastrointestinal problems or relieve insomnia.

Ingredients

• 15 to 20 g of verbena leaves;
• 1 liter of boiling water.

Preparation mode

Boil the water, then turn off the heat and add the verbena leaves. Cover and let rest for about 5 to 10 minutes. Strain, wait for it to cool and drink 1 cup of tea, 2 to 4 times a day.

2. Verbena poultice

The verbena poultice should only be used on the skin, in cases of arthritis, gout, rheumatism or bruises, for example.

Ingredients

• 40 to 50 g of verbena leaves and flowers.

Preparation mode

Cook or sauté the verbena leaves and flowers and, after cooling, place the cooked leaves on a clean, dry compress, such as gauze or cotton, for example, and apply the poultice to painful joints.

3. Vervain mouthwash

Vervain mouthwash or gargle can be used for gum inflammation, such as gingivitis, or sore throat, for example.

Ingredients

• 40 to 50 g of verbena leaves and flowers;
• 1 liter of water.

Preparation mode

Put the verbena leaves and flowers and the water to boil. Then wait for it to warm, strain and gargle or rinse with the solution, 2 to 3 times a day. Spit out the solution then.

4. Inhalation with vervain vapor

Inhalation with verbena can be done to relieve symptoms of flu, colds, coughs or bronchitis and must be prepared with the essential oil of this medicinal plant.

Ingredients

• 3 drops of verbena essential oil;
• 1 liter of boiling water.

Preparation mode

Place boiling water in a basin and add drops of verbena essential oil. Then, cover your head with an open towel, so that it also covers the basin containing the verbena essential oil solution. Tilt your head over the basin and inhale the steam as deeply as possible for up to 3 to 4 minutes, repeating 2 to 3 times a day. This towel helps keep the solution vapor for longer.

5. Aromatherapy with verbena

Verbena aromatherapy is a technique that uses the aroma and particles released by verbena essential oil to stimulate different parts of the brain, helping to alleviate symptoms of anxiety, emotional tension or depression, as it has calming properties.

Ingredients

• 5 or 8 drops of verbena essential oil;
• Electric air freshener or room diffuser.

Preparation mode

Place the drops of verbena essential oil with water inside an electric air freshener or in a room diffuser. The amount of water used varies according to the capacity of the electric air freshener or room diffuser. The cloud of smoke or vapor formed allows the aroma to be released throughout the room.

A more economical solution to using the aromatizer is to place the drops of verbena essential oil in a cup of boiling water, for example, as as the water evaporates, the aroma is released into the air. See other ways to do aromatherapy.

6. Verbena ophthalmic solution

Verbena ophthalmic solution can be made to wash the eyes in case of conjunctivitis.

Ingredients

• 2 g of verbena leaves;
• 200 mL of boiling water.

Preparation mode

Add the verbena leaves to boiling water and leave to rest for 15 minutes. Strain and let cool naturally or place the verbena solution in the refrigerator for 10 to 20 minutes. Wet a sterile gauze and apply it to the closed eye for 15 to 30 minutes.

Possible side effects

Verbena is generally well tolerated when used in recommended amounts, however, the tea can cause side effects such as vomiting or hypothyroidism.

Therefore, its use should only be done with medical advice or from a healthcare professional with experience in medicinal plants.

Who shouldn’t use

Vervain should not be used during pregnancy. Find out which teas can be used during pregnancy.

Furthermore, although verbena has properties that help increase milk production during breastfeeding, it is not known whether it passes to the baby through the milk, and the effects it can have on the baby are not known. Therefore, its use should only be carried out under the guidance of a doctor.

Vervain should also be used with caution by people using anticoagulant medications, such as warfarin, as it can reduce the effect of these medications.