© Konrad Lackerbeck · CC BY-SA 2.5 · Commons
Verbena officinalis
CautionEchtes Eisenkraut · (Verbena officinalis)
Verbena family (Verbenaceae)
Description
Verbena officinalis, the common vervain or common verbena, is a perennial herb native to Europe. It grows up to 70 cm (28 in) high, with an upright habitus. The lobed leaves are toothed, and the delicate spikes hold clusters of two-lipped mauve flowers.
CONTRAINDICATED during pregnancy
Traditionally contraindicated. Vervain (Verbena officinalis) contains iridoid glycosides (verbenalin, hastatoside) that may exert uterotonic activity. EMA HMPC, ESCOP and Kommission E consistently advise against use in pregnancy. Culinary trace amounts (herbal vinegar, garnish) are traditionally considered safe but have not been explicitly studied.
- TeaAerial partsInternalTraditional use
Traditional infusion of flowering vervain herb for catarrhal conditions of the respiratory tract — a constituent of the well-known combination product Sinupret.
Preparation & dosage
INFUSION (traditional use / Sinupret context): 1.5–2.5 g dried vervain herb (Herba Verbenae) in 150 ml boiling water, covered, steep 8–10 min, strain. Drink 3× daily freshly prepared, preferably between meals. EMA HMPC classifies Verbena officinalis as part of traditional phytotherapy for catarrhal conditions of the respiratory tract; clinical data as a single drug are limited. If no improvement after 2 weeks, consult a doctor. Fever > 38.5 °C, purulent sputum or dyspnoea require immediate medical evaluation.
- Dry amount
- 1.5–2.5 g
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 2 weeks
⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 12 years — Per EMA monograph for adults and adolescents from 12 years — insufficient data for children under 12.
[#src_ema_verbena_hmpc] [#src_escop_verbena] [#src_pfaf_verbena]
- TinctureAerial partsInternalTraditional use
Traditional tincture of vervain herb for catarrhal respiratory conditions — alternative to infusion when ethanol is acceptable.
Preparation & dosage
TINCTURE (DER 1:5 in 40–60 % ethanol): 1–2 ml (~20–40 drops) 3× daily diluted in water. Traditional use for catarrhal respiratory conditions. Due to ethanol content not for children under 12 or persons with alcohol dependence or liver disease. Limit use to 2 weeks; if no improvement consult a doctor.
- Liquid amount
- 1–2 ml
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 2 weeks
⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 12 years — Due to ethanol content suitable only for adults and adolescents from 12 years.
- TeaAerial partsInternalFolk medicine
Folk nervine tea from vervain for nervous exhaustion, low mood and nervous dyspepsia — one of the oldest European nervine herbs.
Preparation & dosage
FOLK NERVINE TEA: 1–2 tsp dried vervain herb in 200 ml hot water (not boiling, ~90 °C), covered, steep 8–10 min, strain. 1–2 cups daily, preferably after meals. Folkloric use for nervous exhaustion, menstruation-related low mood and nervous dyspepsia. NOT a substitute for medical diagnosis with persistent complaints. Bitter-herbaceous, pleasant taste; sweeten with honey if desired.
- Dry amount
- 1–2 g
- Doses per day
- 2×
- Max duration
- 3 weeks
[#src_wichtl_teedrogen] [#src_madaus_1938_verbena] [#src_pfaf_verbena] [#src_wp_de_verbena]
- GargleAerial partsExternalFolk medicine
Folk gargle from vervain for mild throat and oral complaints — astringent tannins provide mucosal protection.
Preparation & dosage
GARGLE: 2–3 tsp dried vervain herb in 200 ml boiling water, steep 10–12 min, strain and cool to drinking temperature. Gargle (do not swallow) 3× daily for mild sore throat, inflamed gums and mild oral mucositis. Folk use — not for severe pain, purulent deposits or fever without medical evaluation. Prepare fresh daily.
- Dry amount
- 2–3 g
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 1 weeks
- CompressAerial partsExternalFolk medicine
Folk warm herbal compress from vervain for rheumatic joint complaints, bruises and minor skin injuries.
Preparation & dosage
COMPRESS / POULTICE: 5–10 g dried vervain herb or a bunch of fresh herb in 300 ml boiling water, steep 12–15 min, strain. Cool the decoction to hand-warm temperature. Soak a cotton cloth, wring out and apply to aching joints, mild bruises, minor wounds or inflamed skin. Leave 15–20 min, apply 2× daily. Folk use to relieve rheumatic joint complaints and minor skin injuries. Not for open wounds showing signs of infection (redness, pus, swelling) — consult a doctor promptly.
- Dry amount
- 5–10 g
- Doses per day
- 2×
- Max duration
- 2 weeks
[#src_madaus_1938_verbena] [#src_pfaf_verbena] [#src_wp_en_verbena]
- TeaAerial partsInternalFolk medicine
Folk emmenagogue tea from vervain to support menstrual flow and ease mild menstrual cramps — strictly contraindicated in pregnancy.
Preparation & dosage
TRADITIONAL WOMEN'S HERB TEA: 1–2 tsp dried flowering vervain herb in 200 ml hot water, steep 10 min, strain. 2× daily, preferably on the days before and during menstruation. Folkloric use as emmenagogue (promoting menstrual flow) and during mild menstrual pain; also used as a diaphoretic (promoting perspiration) in fever. IMPORTANT: Strictly avoid in pregnancy due to the risk of uterine activity — traditionally contraindicated. Does not serve as contraception.
- Dry amount
- 1–2 g
- Doses per day
- 2×
- Max duration
- 2 weeks
[#src_madaus_1938_verbena] [#src_pfaf_verbena] [#src_wp_en_verbena] [#src_wichtl_teedrogen]
- TinctureAerial partsInternalCommission E
Bitter tincture from vervain for folk support of digestion and bile secretion — Kommission E (1992) issued a negative monograph due to insufficient efficacy data.
Preparation & dosage
BITTER TINCTURE (Kommission E issued a negative monograph in 1992 due to insufficient efficacy data, but folk use is historically established): 1–2 ml (~20–40 drops) 3× daily before meals in a little water. Bitter substance action is said to stimulate bile flow and aid digestion (cholagogue, appetite-stimulating). Commissioned E judged data insufficient and denied a positive monograph. Historically one of the best-known European bitter herbs. Due to ethanol content avoid in pregnancy, alcohol dependence or liver disease.
- Liquid amount
- 1–2 ml
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 4 weeks
[#src_kommission_e_verbena] [#src_wichtl_teedrogen] [#src_madaus_1938_verbena]
- BathAerial partsExternalFolk medicine
Folk vervain bath for rheumatic complaints and muscle pain — external relaxation and pain-relief application.
Preparation & dosage
HERBAL BATH / PARTIAL BATH: 50–100 g dried vervain herb in 2 litres boiling water, steep 15–20 min, strain. Add the decoction to a prepared full bath (37–38 °C) or partial bath (foot/arm bath). Soak 20–30 min. Folk use for rheumatic complaints, muscle pain and general relaxation. NOT for heart failure, hypertension or circulatory weakness — seek medical advice before a full bath. Rest adequately after bathing.
- Dry amount
- 50–100 g
- Doses per day
- 1×
- Max duration
- 2 weeks