Verbena

Verbena - History

Verbena officinalis was described by Linnaeus in his Species Plantarum of 1753. [2] However, the name Verbena comes from the ancient Roman word for "leafy branch", or according to other sources "leafy branch used ceremonially or medicinally". [3]

Verbena is also known as vervain - and this is said to be derived from its old Celtic name ferfaen. [4]

The plant has had a long history of association with religion, spirituality and the supernatural. It was one of the seven "sacred herbs" of the Druids - and was also revered by ancient Celts, Druids and Germans. The Egyptians called it "tears of Isis". It was considered a "Holy Herb" in ancient times and legend has it that it was employed to staunch the wounds of Jesus after he was taken down from the cross. Perhaps as a result of this, it was believed to offer protection from vampires or the devil, and in other cultures and times it has been employed in ritual, exorcism or divination. [1]

The Romans, especially, venerated the herb. They even had a festival in its honor - Verbenalia - in which the temples and altars were decorated with the branches [5]. They placed it on altars dedicated to Jupiter [1] - although whether the plant used for these purposes was actually Verbena or whether it was "leafy branches" in general, is somewhat unclear.

Verbena has also long been used in herbalism: It has been considered very helpful against insonmia and nervousness and is made into a herbal tea. It is said to be helpful to poets and writers, helping them to overcome "writer's block", and is one of the Bach flower remedies. It is also said to be a galactagogue (helps mothers produce milk) and possible sex hormone analogue. [1]

Is Verbena an aphrodisiac?

According to [6], (and many others) vervain has a long tradition of use in love potions and Philtres, and was used as such by the ancient Romans - though the source of this legend is not stated.

In 18th and 19th century literature, so often revealing of much information regarding whether an herb has ancient reputation as being aphrodisiac, we find no indication whatsoever that verbena was considered aphrodisiac in those days. However, looking at Nicholas Culpeper's legendary English Physician (1801 edition) - the famous English herbal, we do find that Vervain is under the governance of Venus, (goddess of love). This might give some positive indication - but Culpeper does not state that the herb "provokes venery", as he might in the case of other aphrodisiac herbs. He does however mention that the plant was believed to have some benificial properties towards the health of the sexual organs: He states it is"excellent for the womb to strengthen and remedy all the cold griefs of it." Also - "used with hog's grease, it helpeth the swellings and pains of the secret parts in man or woman." Not quite aphrodisiac - but getting warmer, at least.

However, when we turn to the aromatherapists' and herbalists' lore of the 20th and 21 century, we find Verbena / vervain, particularly its scent, widely considered as aphrodisiac. Most of these sources cheerfully list the qualities of the herb, aphrodisiac included - without mentioning where they got their information. One possible source might be The Complete Guide to Herbal Medicines by Charles W. Fetrow, Juan R. Avila (2000).

Strangely, some sources state that vervain may be anaphrodisiac i.e. having the opposite effect of an aphrodisiac. This is not the only herb which finds itself in this predicament; Chaste-Tree is another. One writer reports that drinking juice of fresh vervain diminishes sexual desire; while also stating that the scent of it is a powerful attractant to the opposite sex... [7]

Science appears not to have investigated whether verbena has aphrodisiac qualities, and Pubmed has no papers investigating the plant in this way; though there are some interesting papers exploring the phytochemistry of verbena.

I have to draw verdict inconclusive on this one, for now. Definitely grounds for further research.

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Note - I have found it written in many places that Verbena may be abortifactient and should not be used during pregnancy. I have also read that it should not be used by those who have history of seizures. (This is not medical advice.)

Verbena is listed in the AHPA's "Herbs of Commerce", p.152. [8] and is widely available.