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Indian Hyssop | | Name : | Indian Hyssop | | Synonyms : | Americanvervain
Falsevervain
Indianhyssop
Purvain
Simpler'sjoy
Traveler'sjoy
Vervain
Wildhyssop
| | Parts Used : | Roots, leaves, stems | | Habitat : | Native to the northern United States and Canada, found also in England.Fields, thickets, waste places, in dry hard soils, along roadsides. | | Description : | Blue vervain is a bristly, erect, perennial; the quadrangular stemreaches a height of 2-5 feet and bears leaves that are oblong-lanceolate,gradually acuminate, serrate, and 3-6 inches long. Some of the lowerleaves are lobed at the base, making good on the botanical name. Thesmall, deep blue or purplish-blue flowers are sessile in dense spikes,2-3 inches long, which are arranged in a panicle. The fruit consistsof 4 nutlets which ripen soon after the plant flowers. Blooms in Julyand seed ripen soon after.
Another variety: Verbena officinalis L., known also as vervain,was used by the Druids, Egyptians, Persians, and British herbalistsfor a vast range of ailments, but vervain is no longer consideredto have healing properties. It is grown as an ornamental for its smallpurple flowers. An old legend reputes vervain to have been used tostaunch the wounds of Christ on Calvary. (The legend not clear onwhether this statement referred to V. officinalis or V. hastata).
Lemon verbena (Aloysia triphylla L.) of the verbena family, sometimescalled 'queen of the lemons', is a tropical shrub native to Centraland South America introduced to Europe by Spanish explorers. Not considereda medicinal herb, but rather valued for its unparalleled fresh lemonyscent and essential oils. Also called Lemon verbena (Lippia citriodora,Kunth.) is a native of the Americas that has spread throughout theworld. Not found medicinally helpful.
The Chinese use Verbena officinalis, called vervain. The Chinesename is Ma-pien-ts'ao. Used for dropsy, malaria,dysentery. | | Constituents : | Essential oil, mucilage, tannin, verbenaline, and verbenine
Antiperiodic, diaphoretic, emetic, expectorant, tonic, vermifuge,vulnerary, sudorific, nervine, emmenagogue | | Uses : | Used for fever, colds,flu, pneumonia,asthma, bronchitis,consumption, chronic ague, cankersores, eyedrops strengthens the optic nerve and clears vision,scrofula, will increase menstrual flow, good for malaria,jaundice, excellent for shortnessof breath and wheezing, inflammation,dysentery, diarrhea,douche for leukorrhea, expels worms,nerves, migraines, epilepsy,delirium, headaches, plague,insomnia, skin disorders,female disorders, and stomach,bowel, cystitis,and colon problems. Helps expelphlegm from throat and chest. Considered a bloodtonic. Externally, the tea heals sores,wounds, neuralgia,snakebite, vaginal itching,and ulcers. | | Dosage : | Infusion: use 2 tsp. rootstock or herb with 1 pint of boilingwater. For a tonic, take 2-3 tsp., 6 times a day, cold.
Tincture: take 10-20 drops at a time. | | Safety : | Avoid blue vervain during pregnancy; it is a uterine stimulant; maybe taken during labor. | | Myths : | Historically, blue vervain has been associated with sorcerers, witches,and magic. In ancient times, it was bruised and worn about the neckas a charm against headaches and venomous bites. An old legend reputesvervain to have been used to staunch the wounds of Christ on Calvary.
It was the divine weed that was sprinkled on the altars of Jupiter,the herba veneris employed in rites of love and a sacred plant (hierabotane) of the Druids. Latter-day magicians wear a crown of vervainas protection during the evocation of demons. Blue vervain, an ancientherb used by Druids, Egyptians, Persians, and British herbalists fora vast range of ailments, is no longer considered to have healingproperties. Grown today for ornamental purposes. | | Sold : | Capsules |
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