Verbena: medicinal properties and contraindications

Verbena is a herbaceous plant to which the people came up with a few more interesting names - such as pigeon, cast-iron or iron grass. In Latin, it was called the “sacred branch”, which is much more suitable for this useful healing plant.

Chemical composition

Verbena is rich in various substances.

1. Among its components, verbenamine, which has a whole range of useful properties: it relieves inflammation and fever, stimulates the formation of bile, resists allergies, and removes cramps.
2. Glycosides, which are part of the medicinal plant, are able to fight microbes, and also have a calming, diuretic and vasodilator effect. The ability to resist microbes and bacteria is also included in the tannins in the verbena.
3. Carotene, which breaks down in the human body and forms vitamin A, contributes to the normal course of oxidative processes, affects metabolism and aging, and supports the functioning of the immune system.
4. The essential oil in the composition of verbena is an excellent anti-inflammatory and bactericidal agent, due to which the medicinal plant acquires a sedative ability. Silicon acid contained in verbena is also an antiseptic.
5. Verbena is a storehouse of vitamin C, which has strong antioxidant properties and is a good wound healing agent.
6. The ability to protect blood vessels from the buildup of cholesterol and the formation of plaques gives the medicinal plant steroid sitosterol. Together with sitosterol, flavonoids work, which increase the elasticity of the vascular walls and prevent their defeat by sclerosis.
7. The bitterness in the composition of the medicinal herb has useful properties - it normalizes the digestive system. A component of verbena, such as mucus, also affects digestion, providing an enveloping effect. Another function is an expectorant.

How it looks and where it grows

Verbena can be either annual or perennial. This herbaceous or semi-shrub plant grows up to a meter in height, therefore it has a very powerful root.

The stem, depending on the variety of verbena and the growing conditions, may look either straight, open, or even creeping. The shape of the stem is tetrahedral, covered with a bristle-fluff. Leaves sit in pairs opposite each other, they are pubescent, oval, along the edge with rather large denticles. The color is thick green.

Verbena blooms, depending on the type and terrain in which it grows, in June or July. Small flowers, cups that look like funnels of five petals up to 2.5 cm in diameter, are collected in panicle inflorescences. In each panicle - from 30 to 50 flowers. The colors of verbena panicles are very diverse: they can be white or yellow, pink or salmon, blue or blue, as well as different shades of red. After flowering, in August, light brown or brownish-green nut fruits are formed, consisting of four parts.

Verbena loves sunlight, warmth and fertile loose soil, tolerates drought and a little frost hard.

The homeland of verbena is Europe. But in an imported way, it spread to Asia, Africa, America.In Russia, verbena can be found in the Caucasus, in European regions and in the Urals. This plant does not create large thickets, although it grows on forest edges and in meadows, on vacant lots and on cultivated fields, along roads and fences, descends into ravines and rises to mountains up to 1200 m.

Views

To date, botanists have described about two hundred varieties of this plant, but medicine uses only one of them - medicinal verbena. It grows not only in the northern hemisphere of the Earth, but also in Australia and Africa. They always have lilac flowers; they can be found not only in the wild, but also in urban wastelands, as well as weeds in the fields.

In most of Russia, only 8 out of almost two hundred species of verbena are common, and even those are decorative.

1. Canadian - this species can bloom until the first days of November, so flower growers love and actively cultivate it. In height, it reaches only 20 cm, the flowers are white and pink.
2. Tough - perennial with lilac flowers. Its feature is strongly elongated leaves.
3. Buenos Aires is a tall plant, grows up to 120 cm. The flowers have amethyst color.
4. Fragrant, or lemon, is a giant perennial, its growth is from 1 m 50 cm to 2 m. This verbena got its name because of the smell of citrus with mint, which is clearly felt if you rub the leaf.
5. Large-flowered - this name was given to verbena because of the largest size of flowers, each of them is quite capable of reaching 10 cm. The colors of the flowers are varied, there may be dark and light.
6. Bonarskaya - stems reach 1 m in height and end with purple inflorescences-umbrellas. It blooms until late autumn.
7. Beautiful - this verbena has a height of not more than 30 cm inflorescences of spherical shape. The flowers are small, but their color scheme is extensive.
8. Hybrid - an annual in the form of a compact branched bush. The stems grow no higher than 60 cm.The inflorescence has a shape that is between the spikelet and the umbrella, and the color palette of the flowers is rich - from light, white and pink to purple, and the petals can be either plain or with a spot in the middle.

Collection and storage

For medicinal purposes, verbena is harvested from May to October, but the best time is August, when a sufficient amount of essential oil has already been accumulated in the plant. All green aboveground parts, as well as the root and seeds, are suitable for collection.

It is necessary to dry the medicinal plant in a draft under a canopy so that the sun and rain do not fall on it. You can use an electric dryer, but set the temperature regulator in it at 50 or 60 degrees.

Dried raw materials are stored in a dry room, in boxes, laying layers between themselves with sheets of clean paper. As with all medicinal herbs, the shelf life in this form is 2 years.

The healing properties of verbena officinalis

1. Verbena products are used to treat colds, flu, acute respiratory infections, as well as inflammatory diseases of the pharynx and respiratory system - bronchitis, tracheitis, laryngitis, pneumonia.
2. The next direction of application of the plant is the pathology of the digestive system and related systems: cholecystitis, chronic hepatitis, gallstone disease, gastritis (against the background of a low content of gastric juice).
3. As an external remedy, verbena is used to treat compresses and lotions of various types of rashes, furunculosis, skin inflammations, and poorly healing wounds. Rinse her mouth with decoctions and infusions for toothache, stomatitis and gingivitis, as well as to get rid of an unpleasant odor.
4. With skin problems such as psoriasis, eczema, neurodermatitis, verbena compounds are used both internally and externally.
5. The root of the plant is used for mumps (mumps), childhood allergies (scrofula), as well as for salvation from abscesses.
6. A wide range of tasks is solved by verbena oil, it can put the weak and depleted on its feet, and also help women to get rid of many delicate gynecological problems.
7. Verbena improves liver function, normalizes digestion and metabolism and raises appetite, supports
   heart and vascular health.

Verbena officinalis in traditional medicine

As a therapeutic agent, verbena officinalis has been used by traditional healers for a long time. First of all, it is recommended for colds and acute respiratory infections: doctors treat the sore throat, runny nose, cough.

For the treatment of internal pathologies, healers also have many recipes with verbena - for example, drugs are prescribed for digestive diseases, vascular and cardiac problems, they remove inflammation in the oral cavity, establish metabolism, and eliminate anemia.

The crushed greens of the freshly plucked plant are relieved of hematomas, skin diseases are treated - rash, ulcers, allergies, difficult wounds. From time immemorial, the plant has been used to treat and prevent scurvy, since it contains a large dose of vitamin C.

There are also quite exotic ways that doctors used for a long time: crushed and soaked in wine verbena healed people after snake bites. And juice mixed with honey and warm water rinsed your mouth to freshen your breath.

From sore throat and stomatitis

Option 1. Pour a tablespoon of crushed dry raw materials into boiling water (glass). Remove from heat and let stand for an hour, covering with a lid and a towel for heat. After filtering, it is recommended to gargle with sore throat or oral cavity - with stomatitis or gingivitis. You can make lotions on the basis of the infusion and apply them to acne, ulcers, manifestations of psoriasis or eczema.

Option 2 Dilute in a glass of warm water half a teaspoon of salt and drip there 15 drops of verbena oil. If you are diagnosed with pharyngitis or laryngitis, gargle with this compound. Also indications for use are stomatitis, tonsillitis, tonsillitis.

From the common cold

Pour a tablespoon of dried medicinal raw materials with half a liter of hot water and put on the stove. Boil for 5 minutes over low heat, then remove from the stove and leave until it cools. Strain and add warm boiled water - so that again it turns out half a liter. This is the daily norm, you need to drink it during the day for 4 doses: half a glass before eating. You can drink with honey or raspberry jam.

Cold drops

If it flows from the nose, drops prepared from verbena will be a good help. You need to mix 2 teaspoons of hypericum oil and a drop of verbena oil. Instill in each nostril 2 drops three times a day.

Compresses

Pour 4 tablespoons of dried verbena raw material into a small linen bag and lower it for 30 seconds in boiling water. Remove the bag from boiling water, cool so that it can be tolerated, and put on a sore spot. Make such a compress 2 times a day and keep it for an hour. Indications are skin inflammation, rash, acne, psoriasis, thrombophlebitis, ulcers, and rheumatism.

Lotions for inflammation

To prepare the composition for lotions, several types of medicinal herbs are used: verbena, oak bark, horsetail, rose petals - 10 g each, chamomile and sage leaves - 5 g each. Mix the herbs in a dry bowl, take 2 tablespoons of the collection and pour them half a liter of freshly boiled water. Under a tightly closed lid, insist the agent for at least 3 hours, then strain it and, after soaking gauze or cotton cloth in the infusion, put it on a sore spot. Thus, it is possible to accelerate the healing of wounds and treat inflammatory processes on the skin.

From atherosclerosis and thrombosis

To clean vessels and reduce health and life risks in case of thrombosis or atherosclerosis, you need to scald 2 teaspoons of dry verbena with a glass of boiling water. Insist an hour, then strain and take every 50-60 minutes in a tablespoon of the healing composition.

If you drink this composition in a glass 2 times a day, it will save you from migraines and normalizes the menstrual cycle. And in order to relieve fatigue and put your nerves in order, you need to use the infusion of 100 ml in the morning, afternoon and evening.

From rheumatism

Pour 3 tablespoons of chopped verbena into a thermos, pour half a liter of boiled water there.Tightly close and insist 3 hours, then strain and use as an antirheumatic agent: apply a linen cloth impregnated with a warm composition to sore spots. If you dilute the infusion in half with boiled water, you can additionally take it inside.

This composition is also effective for muscle tension, bruises, and neurodermatitis.

Types of healing compounds

Verbena is good because it can be used to prepare medicinal formulations in different dosage forms, while a preparation prepared according to one prescription can treat diseases of different systems and organs. And for many pathologies, several different medicinal formulations can be prepared.

Infusion

Infusion is the simplest and most laborious way to prepare a healing composition. You just need to scald the dried and chopped verbena grass with boiling water. Take 2 tablespoons of the raw material in a glass of liquid. Insist composition 2-3 hours. This remedy is good for restoring disturbed sleep and calming the nervous system, as well as for treating colds and as a general strengthening medicine.

It is important not to exceed the established daily norm - a glass. Divide this volume into receptions.

Tincture

Verbena tincture is used as a general strengthening, diaphoretic and antipyretic agent during colds. Also, after taking it, gastric juice begins to stand out more actively, the liver is returning to normal. In addition, the tincture is able to relieve inflammation and tidy up the nerves.

To prepare the tincture, you will need a bottle of dark glass. Pour 50 g of dried medicinal plant into it and pour 700 ml of high-quality vodka there. Cork and place for 3 weeks in a place inaccessible to sunlight (but not in the refrigerator). Shake the bottle from time to time.

When the tincture is ready, strain it and take it a little, with teaspoons: a spoon before breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Tincture can be stored both at room temperature and in the refrigerator.

Decoction

Traditional healers prescribe this decoction to patients with liver problems. In addition, it is good to clean the vessels with such a composition, it is useful for those who have high cholesterol, since it helps to dissolve cholesterol plaques, which, in turn, is the prevention of thrombosis.

To prepare a decoction, you need flowers and leaves of verbena, it is better if they are fresh and not dried. Grind the medicinal plant in such an amount that it turns out 2 teaspoons of raw material. Pour them with clean filtered water (no more than half a liter). Put the composition on a quiet fire and bring to a boil. How to boil - remove from the stove and set to cool. Filter and consume the next day. Drink no more than 200 ml per day, dividing them into several doses and evenly distributing for the whole day. Take before meals.

Tea

Verbena tea is good for colds, flu or ARI. It will help relieve fever, relieve cough. Another purpose is pain during menstruation, discomfort in the liver or renal colic.

Also, tea will calm the nerves, relieve overexcitation, establish sleep. With systematic tea drinking with verbena, the state of the body as a whole will improve, especially in the bloodstream: the heart and blood vessels will work more clearly, and it will be easier for legs suffering from varicose veins and thrombophlebitis.

For tea, you need verbena flowers, whether they are dried or fresh - there is no difference, both are suitable. To brew a cup of tea, you need to take 1.5 tablespoons of a medicinal plant.

Brew, as usual tea: pour boiling water and leave for 10-15 minutes. Drink 2 times a day. Do not add sugar and milk.

Verbena oil: properties and applications

The oil is extracted from verbena by steam distillation (or extraction). The raw materials for its manufacture are all parts of the plant that grow above the ground - grass, flowers and leaves. The oil is a flowing liquid product with a pleasant light refreshing aroma, which distinguishes the smells of citrus and light floral notes.

Due to its complex chemical composition, verbena essential oil becomes a truly unique healing product.An important role is played by its components:

1. The terpenes necessary for a person to normalize the functioning of the nervous system, vision and reproductive organs.
2. A multicomponent substance citral with antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
3. The citrus flavor of the oil is limonene, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
4. As well as micro and macro elements and a whole complex of vitamins (C, carotene, PP and group B), which give the oil immunomodulating, sedative, relaxing, antispasmodic properties.

Women have not been without verbena essential oil since ancient times. They learned to use it in order to be beautiful, and used externally as a cosmetic product for the face, body, nails, eyebrows, eyelashes and hair.

With its help, the menstrual cycle was normalized, the negative manifestations of menopause were reduced, and violations of the hormonal system as a whole were eliminated.

It has been established that the pleasant aroma of essential oil can relieve pain during childbirth, and inhalations, baths or massages using a medicinal product stimulate the formation of milk in lactating women.

Thanks to its antiseptic and expectorant abilities, the oil is suitable for treating diseases of the respiratory system and nasopharynx - such as bronchitis, laryngitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, bronchial asthma. The product also copes with strengthening the body's immune forces. To gargle in 150 ml of warm water, you need to dissolve half a teaspoon of salt and add 2 drops of oil to the solution. Gargle once every 4 hours.

Thanks to sedative and relaxing effects, the oil can cope with stress and psychological burnout syndrome, establish sleep, relieve depression, anxiety and panic attacks.

The product improves blood circulation in the brain, eliminates cramps, normalizes blood pressure, has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system, eliminating vegetative-vascular dystonia and supporting heart function. For a relaxing and restorative bath, add verbena oil to the bath foam: 5 drops per 20 ml of foam. You can replace the foam with 0.5 cups of bath salt. Enjoy the procedure for at least a quarter of an hour. Some people use an aromatic lamp or aroma pendant for the same purpose. It is better to use such methods in the evening - before going to bed.

The digestive system is adjusted using verbena aromatic oil, as it cleanses the intestines and “boosts” its peristalsis, and also relieves nausea.

Since verbena oil is universally recognized as a powerful antispasmodic, as well as a regenerating and wound healing substance, it is used by athletes when it is necessary to prepare reduced stressed muscles for work. Here, the ability of the oil to heat and stimulate the tissues is also included in the work. For the same reason, it is used to treat hematomas, bruises and sprains. For muscles, massage is recommended. The remedy for the procedure is prepared as follows: take any favorite oil (including the one that is added to salads - olive, sesame, pumpkin, corn) and add verbena aromatic oil to it. For every 20 ml of base oil, 7-10 drops of verbena are dripped.

Connoisseurs are convinced that verbena oil is a strong aphrodisiac and claim that a few drops of it are enough to awaken sensuality and desire.

Application in cosmetology

Verbena began to be used as a cosmetic product since ancient Egyptian times. Even then, women noticed its beneficial effect on the skin and the ability to slow down aging. And until now, the beneficial properties of the plant are most in demand in anti-aging cosmetics.

Verbena is able to remove swelling, tighten the oval of the face, reduce wrinkles, make the skin more elastic and elastic, reducing its sagging, and improve complexion. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, the plant perfectly fights pustular rashes, boils, acne, eczema and smoothes out the unevenness of the skin left after them.

In home cosmetology, decoctions, infusions and oil are used.For procedures, not only pure verbena compositions are used, but also combine them with products from other plants.

Verbena is used not only for the skin of the face, it can also be used as a means of correcting the figure. As a result of the systematic rubbing of medicinal products in problem areas, the skin's elasticity increases, it is smoothed and rejuvenated, the manifestations of cellulite are reduced, and sweating is reduced.

The benefits of verbena for hair are also recognized. Since it has the ability to accelerate blood flow, it successfully copes with strengthening hair follicles and improving the condition of the hair itself. Curls acquire a healthier appearance, their growth improves. Verbena is good for oily hair, normalizes the formation of sebum, removes dandruff.

Aroma combing

To nourish the hair with medicinal substances, it is useful to comb them using verbena oil. You need a wooden scallop with rare cloves. You need to drip a couple of drops of oil on it and gently comb the strands for 5 minutes.

It is better to carry out the procedure in the evening, after a busy day. It is useful and pleasant, and relaxes well.

Anti dandruff mask

Melt a teaspoon of honey in an enamel mug in a water bath, add 3 types of oils: a teaspoon of aloe, 4 drops of verbena and 2 tablespoons of castor. Stir until a homogeneous consistency is formed. Rub the resulting product in circular massaging movements into the scalp, cover the hair with a shower cap and a towel. After an hour, wash your hair with shampoo, in which to drip 2-3 drops of verbena oil.

To make the action effective, repeat the procedure for 4–5 weeks in a row.

For rinsing hair

To prepare an effective tool for rinsing hair, you need to make a decoction of the medicinal plant. Boil for 5 minutes 3 tablespoons of dry verbena in half a liter of water. Leave for an hour, let it brew. Strain and add a liter of clean water to the broth, then rinse the hair with a ready-made composition after applying shampoo and conditioner.

Rinse aid in oil

Take a liter of warm water, drop 5-6 drops of verbena oil there and rinse your hair immediately until balls form from the oil.

Hair Mask

Mix two types of oil in a cup: castor oil (2-3 tablespoons) and verbena (5-6 drops). Distribute through the hair and massage into the scalp. Wearing a shower cap, cover your head with a towel for warmth. After an hour, using a regular shampoo, wash your hair thoroughly.

For body care

Squeeze in the cup that rate of body cream, which is usually used for single use. Add 3-4 drops of verbena oil there, mix the components thoroughly and apply to the skin.

Healing bath

To improve the skin of the body, you can do massage with a drop of verbena oil, or you can do baths. It is very simple: pour water into the bath in the amount and temperature that are familiar. Add 7-8 drops of oil to the water with foam or bath salt and you can enjoy it. In addition to beneficial effects on the skin, this procedure will relieve fatigue, soothe nerves, and improve mood.

Anti-aging application

You can use this method for both dry and oily skin, the difference in the basic ingredient. For dry, you need to take avocado, olive or coconut oil, for greasy - from grape seed. In 100 ml of the main product, drip 3 drops of rosemary, geranium and verbena essential oils, mix. With the resulting agent, soak gauze, folded in several layers, and apply to the face and neck. Lie down calmly for half an hour. It is useful to repeat this procedure 2-3 times a week.

Body lotion

Apply this lotion only for oily skin. It is necessary to mix in a plastic bottle 3 drops of verbena oil with 200 ml of still mineral water.Rub it daily on the body, pre-shaking the bottle. With regular use of the lotion, the skin will gain elasticity and become more elastic.

Tonic ice

Mix a teaspoon of honey with a drop of verbena oil. Send the mixture to the freezer, and when it turns into ice, you can wipe it with your face and neck. The tool perfectly tones, refreshes and tightens the skin. If there is no honey, you can prepare the composition using cream.

Massage Oil

A regular massage with verbena oil will improve not only well-being, but also the condition of the skin. To do this, in that massage oil, which is usually used, you need to add verbena, dropping 4-6 drops in 20 g of the base product.

Goose Feet Oil

To eliminate small wrinkles that form near the corners of the eyes with age, you can prepare a special oil at home. As a basis, take 100 ml of any vegetable or cosmetic oil, add 3 drops of three aromatic oils - verbena, rosemary and geranium to it. In the evening, at the end of the working day, carefully drive this fragrant oil cocktail into the skin with your fingertips where “crow's feet” are outlined.

Contraindications

1. Verbena-based products are not recommended for women who are carrying a baby, especially in the first trimester, because the glycosides contained in the plant may increase the tone of the uterus, which can lead to termination of pregnancy.
2. Children under 14 years of age should not be treated with preparations prepared from this plant.
3. Some doctors noted the negative impact of verbena on the health of patients suffering from hypertension. This must also be taken into account.
4. Medicinal plant-based formulations are contraindicated in people who have lowered platelet counts.

Before starting treatment with verbena, it is necessary to check the drug for individual intolerance. It is rarely observed, but it is better to be safe. If reddening appears due to a drop of the product applied to the inner surface of the wrist or elbow, healing compounds should not be used.

This medicinal plant will not do any harm to other people, but there are a number of warnings that must be taken into account so that treatment does not become a disappointment. First of all, we must remember that for a long time you do not need to take verbena funds inside: there is a risk of irritation of the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines.

Verbena oil is phototoxic, so it is better to postpone external use before sunbathing. Inside it can not be used on an empty stomach.

Alcohol and verbena are incompatible things, since a healing plant can enhance the toxic effect on the liver. Therefore, you should choose one thing: either a glass of alcohol, or treatment.

Verbena photo