Blue Vervain is one of my favourite plants for helping people get out of states of overdrive and overachievement. Some people are just wired that way. This is such a helpful plant ally to allow these types of people to chill out and get themselves out of the pressure cooker of perfectionism and continual striving. These people set unrealistic expectations for themselves and for others which leads to a great deal of stress and strife in their lives. These people tend to over think and spend too much time in their heads and have a hard time being fully embodied. This remedy helps ease their patterns of overthinking, allowing them to drop down into a more heart and body present awareness.
It is bitter and acrid in flavour being helpful especially in states of tension and atrophy as seen especially in bilious and nervous temperaments.
The bitter flavour has benefit to the liver and digestion - relieving liver congestion and digestive discomfort, especially that associated with nervous tension. It is helpful for headaches that often originate from tension in the occiput - the base of the neck.
It was traditionally used in fevers, especially those with accompanying neck tension. Being helpful in conditions of lack or excess perspiration it has a special affinity for women going through menopause, helping to ease the associated night sweats, insomnia and nervous tension. It is powerful in its effects to help relieve anxiety.
Blue Vervain, Verbena hastada is native to North America. White Vervain, native to Europe is the species used in the Bach flower remedy and is quite similar in its action. Blue Vervaine is perennial and grows easily in our climate zone. The leaves and flowering tops can be used fresh to make a tincture or dried for use as tea. It makes a nice relaxing after dinner tea though it is bitter in flavour.