Family Name: Labiatae
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.
