[ Home ] [ Up ]

HOARY VERVAIN

  Physical Description

The physical characteristics of vervain is that of a perennial herb. It grows up to 1-2 feet tallwith thin, erect, stiff stems. It has flowers that appear purple or blue in color. They bloom in early May and end in September.They are rather short lived, but self sows itself for the following season. It's flowers are funnel shaped, soft pubescent petals.Vervain is also unscented with no parfume. When used for herbs it has a slightly bitter taste.

Horticulturally, this perrenial would be beautiful in a sunny garden that doesn't need much upkeep. Vervain requires full sunlight with average to rich soil and would be fine with just rainfall waters.Vervain does not require full attention like other plants. Vervain is very independant on the environment that it lives.

It's main habitats are in fields, on roadsides, also in wastelands. It is also in personalized gardens because of it's beauty and easy upkeep.

Since Vervain is considered an herb meaning "sacred plant", it has many uses for herbal remedies and cures. Natural herbs is the new craze on how th cure diseases and problems. Vervain has a great history of stories in ancient times on how it was used. These mystical stories probably help herbal stores to sell the product. Some of these stories are as follows: In ancient Rome it was worn around necks to scare away evil spirits, and to get rid of headaches.Also they considered it a source of good luck. Vervain is also known in Christian lore as "herb-of-the -cross" because it served as the plant that stanched Christ's wounds at Calvary. Also I researched that witchcraft and sorcery used vervain as love potions and as an aphrodisiac. I am certain that money can be made for love potions and aphrodisiacs in our economic world today.

There are so many medicinal uses for herbs today. Vervain is used for many areas of cures and to help the body. Vervain is recomended being a stringent for diaphoretic, and antispasmodic. It has also achieved a reputation to cure colds, fevers, and even skin diseases.Vervain also acts as a tonic for other things such as relieving stress and tension. Other types of vervain help blood circulation andsupposedly help mothering milkto flow through the breast.

The Readers Digest Association. Magic and Medicine of Plants. Pleasantville, N.Y.-Montreal.1986.
Cohen, Neil S. Herbal Awareness Guide. Legion of Light 1989.
Liberty Hyde Bailey. Hortus Third. Mac Millan Publishing, 1976.

  Other Sites of Interest 

This page written by ANDREA MCCARTY  for Bio 137, Environmental Science, Fall 98