Vervain, or Verbena officinalis, is a perennial herb in the Verbenaceae family with upright branching stems, toothed leaves, and delicate spikes of small lilac flowers. Native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, it has also naturalized in parts of North America. The aerial parts, especially the flowering tops and leaves, are the parts most commonly used in traditional herbal preparations.
In Western herbal traditions, vervain is often described as a bitter nervine herb that bridges digestive and emotional use. It has long been prepared as tea, tincture, and compound formula and is commonly associated with tension, restlessness, and sluggish digestion.
Because vervain has a more delicate appearance than many garden herbs but a fairly assertive bitter taste, it is often grown by herb enthusiasts rather than by purely ornamental gardeners.
