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Verbena applications in naturopathy
contents
- Legends and stories
- ingredients
- effect
- Verbena for the woman
- External application
- Verbena on abscesses and boils
- Internal application
- Recipe for a tincture
- The Bach flower Vervain
- Attention!
Legends and stories
The name verbena was then explained by the fact that the popular belief saw this plant as protection against injuries caused by iron weapons. Another legend says that Verbena officinalis is said to have comforted Christ on the Cross. Other names for this particular herb are Druid herb, Holy herb, Mercury blood, Saying herb, Sweet tooth and Nerve herb.
Verbena is good for making tea blends. (Image: tunedin / fotolia.com) Verbena was used as an aphrodisiac and was contained in love potions. As a magic plant this should have shown against the "evil eye", against lightning and snake bites its effect. He was also said to have a peacemaking effect. So the Romans carried the herb in negotiating peace treaties with them. The Celts gave it the name Druidenkraut. Their priests, also known as Druids, consumed this mystical plant to improve their visionary powers and strengthen their magical powers. Also, the herb, placed over the bed, should protect against nightmares. The Gauls and the Romans used verbena even as a lucky charm - packed in an amulet and hung.
Since phytotherapy (herbal medicine) has gained more and more interest in recent years and occupies an important place especially in natural medicine, also the verbena was again "modern".
ingredients
The most important ingredients are astringent iridoid glycosides, caffeic acid derivatives, flavonoids, bitter substances, mucilage, low-essential oils and small amounts of triterpenes and steroids.
effect
Vervain grows along hedges, along roadsides and on rubbish dumps. Despite its unpretentiousness, it has a large spectrum of effects. Often the herb is confused with the relatives, the lemon verbena. This smells and tastes, as its name suggests, pleasantly lemony. The verbena, however, contains few essential oils, therefore tastes not so good, but has much more healing properties.
This very special plant has antibiotic, antiviral, blood purifying, astringent, analgesic, slightly sweaty and anti-inflammatory. For the female body, the herb has a very special meaning, which is set out in the next section ("verbena for the woman").
Vervain is unsuitable during pregnancy, but nursing mothers can be very good at nursing mothers. (Image: gradt / fotolia.com) Verbena for the woman
Vervain can help the woman to support her ovulation. The menstrual bleeding is also promoted. If you want to have children, the herb is included in many tea recipes. However, the intake should necessarily be discussed with a therapist. Verbena must not be used during pregnancy, as it has a stimulating effect on the uterus. Midwives who are attached to naturopathy use the herb to start a stalled birth. After giving birth, Verbena officinalis supports the regression of the uterus and stimulates milk production. Therefore, the herb is also included in many breastfeeding mixtures, in addition to anise, fennel, cumin and melissa. Women who are menopausal, nervous, irritable, and may also suffer from sleep disorders can provide relief to the herb. A cup of verbena tea in the evening, makes falling asleep easier.
External application
Vervain is a good healing substance. Wounds, especially cuts and burns, are supplied with verbena compresses. For this, one tablespoon of the dried herb is brewed with about a quarter of a liter of boiling water and strained after about five minutes. A sterile compress is soaked with the broth and thus blotted the wound several times.
The Verbena verbena is also helpful with cold sores, pimples and acne. This is best dipped a cotton swab in the broth and thus treated the affected area several times a day. For abscesses and boils, applying compresses can aid healing. Insect bites do not itch so much when dabbed with the brew.
Verbena tea acts as a tonic that refreshes and tones the skin at the same time.
Verbena on abscesses and boils
For a verbena dressing, which can help especially with abscesses and boils, the following is needed: One tablespoon of dried or two tablespoons of fresh verbena, 125 ml of water and 150 ml of fruit vinegar. The ingredients are boiled together for about two minutes and then the herb expressed. The affected skin is covered with a little oil, for example olive or almond oil, placed over the pressed herb and fixed with a gauze bandage or a cloth. This envelope can last up to three hours.
Internal application
Verbena is used for sore throat, mouth bleeding, bleeding gums, upper respiratory catarrh, fever, biliary and hepatic weakness, anemia, urinary tract disorders, heartburn, headache and nervous discomfort. Also, this phytotherapeutic to help a peaceful sleep.
For sore throat is best gargled with a verbena. For this, we brew a teaspoon of the herb with about 250 ml of boiling water and strained after a brewing time of five to seven minutes. This tea is gargled several times a day. In case of oral mucosal inflammation, the tea is used for rinsing, but also for dabbing the affected areas.
In all other diseases mentioned, the tea is drunk up to twice a day in small sips.
Various dosage forms of vervain exist - as mother tincture, tincture, homeopathically potentiated or as spagyric essence. Also in certain mixed preparations, especially for the treatment of sinus infections and other respiratory diseases, the herb is included.
Recipe for a tincture
An iron herb tincture can be easily made by yourself. You will need: 200g of dried or 300g fresh verbena and one liter of 35 to 40% alcohol. Cabbage and alcohol are shaken in a tightly closed container for two minutes and placed in a dark and cool place for two weeks. Then the whole thing is filtered with the help of a juice or wine press, discarded the residues and then filled the liquid in a brown glass bottle. When stored cool, the tincture lasts for up to two years. Internally, 10 to 20 drops are taken twice or three times a day. Half a teaspoon diluted with a glass of water serves as a refreshing tonic.
The Bach flower Vervain
Behind the Bach flower Vervain hides the verbena. Bach flower remedies were created by the English doctor Edward Bach discovered. He watched his patients closely and even then knew about the connection between body, soul and spirit. His love of nature led him on his walks to 38 different plants from which the Bach flower essences emerged and he then developed the Bach flower therapy. Each flower embodies a particular state of mind, such as fear, mistrust, insecurity, grief, and so forth. Vervain is the No. 31 Bach Flower. People who need this flower are always eager to persuade and proselytize others. People who are driven, do not settle down, constantly worry about others and thereby exploit their own health. Vervain makes those affected more flexible, relaxed, tolerant and also calmer.
Attention!
Even if vervain is "only" an herb and the healing effects are not really recognized, the application should not be exaggerated and the recommended intake should not be exceeded. A medicinal herb may not be used for long-term medication - after four to six weeks of use, it is essential to take a break. Pregnant women, as already mentioned, should never use verbena. Even for children under 12 years vervain is not suitable for internal use. (Sw)