Medicinal Plants »Blue Vervain

Blue Vervain

Sharp, bitter flavor
Traditional used medicinally as a nervine (nervous system tonic) and is effective at easing bodily nervous tension such as stiffness in the back, shoulders, neck, etc.
A slight sedative used in easing symptoms of anxiety and depression
Functions by helping the body release pent up energy and relax
Helps reduce fevers by promoting sweating
Contains bitter properties that improve digestion
Flowers and leaves are used internally as a tea, tincture, or flower essence and externally in oils, creams, and salves

Grows 4 – 5’tall bushes with 2 – 5’” flowering spikes where a few tiny blooms appear at a time throughout the season
Prefers full sun but puts up with partial shade, can be found in fields, woodland edges, prairies, and wetlands that are well drained and full of organic matter

Harvest when medicinal properties are at the peak in mid- to late summer on a dry, sunny day
Cut the entire aerial part of the plant, leaving about twelve inches at the base for regenerative growth, it is possible to get a second cutting from well-established plants
Easy to over-dry and loose medicinal value – hang in bundles upside down in an area protected from the elements with good airflow and check regularly or for small amounts, in a single layer on a drying rack
When plants begin to crumble easily, remove foliage and flowers from stems and store in an airtight container (preferably with paper or desiccation packets added to absorb moisture and prevent molding over time)

Carpenter, Jeff, and Carpenter, Melanie. The Organic Medicinal Herb Farmer. Chelsea Green Publishing, 2015.