Let’s discover the properties of verbena, a plant with beneficial, therapeutic and cosmetic properties, known since ancient times and widely used in herbal medicine today.
Verbena (verbena officinalis) is a perennial plant of the verbenaceae family that grows in nature to a height of no more than 60 cm.
The small and erect stem supports an engraved foliage opposite the lower leaves, while the flowers are a pale lilac and are collected in delicate spikes that produce small fruits with four seeds inside.
The history of verbena
Poets and writers have always considered this plant an ‘inspiration‘ herb. The Romans, on the other hand, considered it a sacred plant, with magical properties, which they also used to adorn temples and statues of divinities.
As a herbal remedy, it has a very ancient tradition and popular use recommends taking it in the form of a decoction to combat various ailments and as a decongestant for the respiratory tract.
The properties of verbena
Verbena is one of the most used plants in herbal medicine due to its marked medicinal properties and the versatility of its multiple uses in phytotherapy and is one of the Bach flowers: it is rich in active ingredients, such as polishes, tannins, saponins, mucilage, flavonoids and oil essential.
Its beneficial properties relate to the antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and toning effects that make it ideal for fighting digestive disorders and promoting empathic activity.
Verbena is also a valuable ally to combat rheumatism, joint pain and as a healing agent for wounds and bruises.
A recipe with verbena
A simple recipe is the following. To soothe rheumatic pains, here is a simple but effective recipe for a compress based on this plant. You need:
- 10 gr of verbena leaves
- 1 egg white
- 1 large spoonful of ergot flour
Preparation. Whip the egg white and add the ergot flour, cook the mixture in a bain-marie. Add the chopped leaves of this plant to the mixture. Apply the mixture on the painful parts.
Verbena how to grow it
Now let’s see how to grow verbena officinalis.
It is a plant that needs rather assiduous care during the hot season, if we want to ensure appreciable blooms.
- First, we must pay attention to the choice of terrain and location. The first must be fairly humid, but making sure that no stagnation of water occurs. If you grow vervain in pots, make sure the soil is always moist, but not soggy. The position must be sunny.
- Irrigation must be abundant, preferably in the evening, with water at room temperature. In any case, avoid drought: it will quickly fade your seedlings.
- For blooms of intense color, add chelated iron to the irrigation water once a month , following the instructions and recommended doses in the package.
- During the flowering season, remember to encourage the formation of new shoots by trimming the toppings of the seedling at least once every ten days.
When does verbena bloom?
Verbena flowering occurs in summer, with some variation depending on how hot the climate is or not: in principle, it runs from the beginning of June to the end of September. Verbena flowers, which can take on different colors, are numerous and gathered in spikes.
