What Is Vervain?
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Medically reviewed by Dr. Andrea L. Braden
Vervain (Verbena officinalis) is an herb that grows primarily in Europe and Asia. It’s also sometimes referred to as pigeon’s grass, herb of grace, pamukh, or karenta. The plant can grow to a height of about 40 inches. The leaves of the vervain plant are toothed and lobed, and the flowers are light purple.
Vervain plants have been lauded for their medicinal value for hundreds of years, and used widely in traditional and folk medicine, particularly Chinese medicine. Although several studies have found vervain to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticonvulsant properties, most of these studies were done either in a lab on animals. Still, vervain shows promise in treating several different medical conditions.
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Benefits of Vervain
Vervain is widely used in herbal medicine and sold commercially as a dietary supplement. Many herbal medicine practitioners tout its benefits, noting that it helps with depression, inflammation, gastrointestinal conditions, burns and cuts on the skin, ear infections, and more.
Unfortunately, the scientific evidence supporting these claims is limited, as most available studies were done in test tubes or on animals rather than humans. While these studies indicate some potential benefits of vervain, the benefits cannot be definitively known until more thorough, human-based research is completed.
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May Increase Breast Milk Supply
Vervain is often recommended for breastfeeding as a galactagogue, which refers to any food or supplement that increases milk supply. However, there is weak evidence that vervain can increase milk supply.
One small study found that breastfeeding parents who drank herbal tea with vervain as one of several ingredients saw a greater increase in milk supply than parents who didn’t drink the tea. It’s not possible to know if vervain caused this increase since it wasn’t the only ingredient in the tea.
May Help With Depression
Vervain has some potential as an antidepressant. An animal-based study found that administering an oral dose of 200 milligrams per kilogram of body weight (mg/kg) of vervain extract decreased depression symptoms in female rats, as observed by neurobehavioral tests. The researchers pointed to substances in the plant like flavonoids, polyphenols, tannins, and steroids that may have contributed to these effects. Again, this study was done on animals, and not humans, so results have limited value at this time.
May Have Anticonvulsant and Sedative Effects
One study looked at the effects of vervain crude extract on seizure symptoms as well as sleep onset and duration. This study was done on Swiss mice. Study researchers found that vervain had anticonvulsant side effects in the mice. Vervain also decreased the amount of time it took mice to fall asleep and helped induce longer sleep periods. The researchers surmised that vervain may be helpful for people with epilepsy, insomnia, anxiety, and various neurological conditions. Again, the limitation here is that the study was done on mice, and not humans.
May Help Fight Infections
Vervain has promising antimicrobial properties. One study looked at how vervain performed against various pathogens, or disease-causing bacteria, in laboratory settings. The researchers prepared extracts from the leaves, stems, and roots of vervain plants and then introduced them to various bacteria. Vervain extracts showed particular promise against the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It also demonstrated promising antibacterial activity against Citrobacter freundii, S. aureus, and Bacillus subtilis.
Other Potential Benefits
There are various other ailments that vervain is purported to help with—though again, the scientific evidence for these claims is lacking. Some of the other conditions that vervain may help with include:
Menstrual disorders
Digestive issues
Thyroid issues
Coughing and asthma
Sore throat
Ear aches
Anxiety
Insomnia
Jaundice
Fever
How to Take Vervain
Vervain is most commonly sold in the form of a capsule, tincture, or tea. It may be prepared by an herbal practitioner such as a Chinese Medicine specialist. Vervain is also manufactured as an essential oil or as an ingredient in make-up or perfume. In the study about vervain’s ability to fight common bacterial pathogens, the extract from the stem of the vervain plant was found to be the most potent, though the leaves and roots also showed effectiveness.
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Dosage
There are no guidelines for how vervain should be dosed, and each vervain manufacturer will determine their own dosing information and provide directions. It’s important to keep in mind that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t regulate dietary supplements like vervain.
There are no regulations to inform natural supplement manufacturers on safe serving size or dose. It's best to speak with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement and read supplement labels carefully to understand how much of the supplement you may be ingesting.
Related: Health Benefits of Probiotics
Is Vervain Safe?
According to the FDA, vervain is "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS). However, that doesn’t mean that it’s safe to consume for everyone. People with underlying medical conditions should consult a healthcare provider before consuming vervain.
Vervain During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Some dietary supplements and herbal remedies have the potential to harm a fetus. Experts recommend that you always discuss a supplement you are considering taking with your healthcare provider before using it while pregnant. Although there is limited research on the effects of vervain during pregnancy, one study on 50 pregnant rats found that vervain consumption could lead to negative reproductive system side effects and fetal development problems.
There is also no current data on which components of vervain are excreted into breast milk, and the safety of taking vervain while breastfeeding is known. It’s also not clear whether vervain can increase milk supply.
Potential Drug Interactions
Very little is known about how vervain may interact with other supplements or medications you are taking. The FDA warns that taking supplements along with medications can be harmful and may be life threatening at times. Sometimes combining supplements with medication can make your medication less effective. At other times, the combination can cause dangerous symptoms, like bleeding, stroke, or death.
The FDA urges people to consult with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement like vervain when they are also taking prescribed or over-the-counter medications.
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What to Look For
The FDA has manufacturing guidelines for companies that sell supplements, and will often inspect facilities that produce supplements. However, supplements like vervain aren’t specifically tested or regulated by the FDA.
When purchasing a vervain supplement, look for a product that has been tested by a reliable third-party organization. This ensures the product was manufactured using standard practices, the ingredient label is accurate, and no harmful substances have contaminated the supplement.
Reliable third-party testing organizations include U.S. Pharmacopeia, ConsumerLab.com, and NSF International.
Related: What to Know About Supplements
Can You Take Too Much Vervain?
There are no known upper limits to the consumption of vervain, but any food or supplement consumed in excess can be dangerous. The different forms of vervain may also affect its potency. Typically, teas are weaker whereas tinctures or extracts are more concentrated, and therefore more potent. Follow the guidelines on the supplement label, but also remember to contact your healthcare provider, who can advise you on safe amounts and dosing.
Related: How Many Vitamins Can You Take a Day?
Side Effects of Vervain
Little is known about the side effects of vervain. Most of the time, it’s thought to be tolerated well, with few side effects. However, some people have reported digestive effects and allergic reactions after taking vervain. If you have concerns about potential side effects or allergic reactions, please contact a healthcare provider before consuming vervain.
Related: How to Prevent Allergies
A Quick Review
Vervain is a plant that has the potential to aid in the treatment of several medical issues, including insomnia, seizures, and depression. It’s also thought to have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial effects. However, most of the research behind these benefits is based on animal and test-tube studies. Although these results are promising, the benefits are not yet confirmed for humans.
Supplements like vervain are not regulated by the FDA and may be harmful to certain individuals. Make sure to speak to your healthcare provider before using vervain.
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