If you’re
experiencing “pain in your secret parts,”
perhaps a little vervain will bring some relief.
That’s
what Nicholas Culpeper would have prescribed back
in 17th century England. Culpeper was considered
one of the leading experts on herbal medicine
of his day and his findings are still being used
today. And his words still quoted.
Vervain is a rather straggly member of
the Verbena genus bearing tiny white flowers laced
in lavender, growing wild around the Mediterranean
Sea region in Europe and through most of North
America. Long associated with mysticism and magic,
other names for the plant are herb of grace, holy
herb, enchanter’s plant, and herb of Venus.
Romans used vervain as an altar plant and
the ancient Egyptians dedicated it to Isis, goddess
of sorcery. The Druids used it to purify sacrificial
waters and in sacred rituals. Legend has it that
vervain was used to stem the flow of blood from
crucifixion wounds suffered by Jesus Christ so
it has received high acclaim as a means of healing
cuts and wounds.
Once worn around the neck as a lucky charm,
vervain was believed to protect the wearer from
headaches and snakebite. This herb of Venus has
been made into many a love potion, perhaps to
heal the pain of a secretly broken heart.
Vervain is believed to strengthen the nervous
system by relieving tension, depression, and nervous
exhaustion, even migraine headaches. Despite
it’s mystical, magical, and calming reputation,
vervain’s effects on the uterus can become
problematic and the herb is best avoided during
pregnancy.
Reference
Kruger, Anna; An Illustrated Guide to Herbs: Their
Medicine and Magic; A Dragon’s World Book;
Limpsfield and London; 1993
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