American Vervain

• Botanical Name(s): Verbena Officinalis

• Popular Name(s): Vervain, Wild Hyssop, American Vervain, Blue Vervain,Indian Hyssop, Purvain.

• Parts Used: Leaves and flowering heads.

• Habitat: It is native to Brazil and Argentina.

Description: Verbena is an erect, clump-forming perennial with stiff, widely branched stems. It can reach 3-6 ft (0.9-1.8 m) in height with an open, airy spread of 1-3 ft (0.3-0.9 m). The scabrous (sandpapery) stems and branches grow in an upright pattern and are square in cross section. Most of the leaves are clustered in a mounded rosette at the base of the plant.

Uses: It is said to be useful in intermittent fevers, ulcers, ophthalmia, pleurisy, etc and to be a good galactogogue. It is still used as a febrifuge in autumn fevers.