Blue Vervain: An Invasive Healing Herb

A beautiful blue flower, growing wild throughout the American countryside, attracts insects, animals and humans with its vivid color and potent properties. Learn why Dr. Sebi loved and trusted this flower so much.

“Here we have, out of the bowels of Mother Nature, another gift for us! One of the most beautifullest plants in the world. I mean it has these flowers, purple flowers and green leaves, if I was an artist I would have never integrated both, but look at what Mother Nature is doing!” – Dr. Sebi.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Blue Vervain; the vibrant violet flower that calms your nerves, nourishes your reproductive organs and restores emotional wellbeing.

Blue Beginnings

Blue Vervain is a member of the Verbenaceae family (Verbena hastata) and it has had many other names throughout history and around the world:

• American Vervain - it’s native to North America.
• Blue Verbena - the color is hard to miss!
• Herb of the Cross / Herb of Grace / Holy Herb - a legend says that when Jesus was taken down from the cross, his wounds were treated with Blue Vervain.
• Mosquito plant – can you guess which irritating insects it repels?
• Simpler’s Joy - a simpler is a person that gathers ‘simples’ (medicinal herbs) and they would be very joyous to come across this emotionally uplifting plant!
• Swamp Verbena - it grows in swamps and moist habitats.
• Wild Hyssop - it resembles the hyssop flower, especially in color.

The name Vervain comes from the Celtic word ‘ferfaen’ meaning ‘to drive away stones’ while the Latin name Verbena means “altar plant,” pointing to the ancient Egyptian, Roman and Greek use of Blue Vervain on their altars.

• Legend has it that when the Egyptian goddess Isis cried, Vervain sprouted from where her tears fell on the ground. Blue Vervain is also associated with the Norse god of thunder, Thor.
• The Romans believed Vervain tea made enemies become friends, so it was served at political negotiations.
• Roman brides often selected the fresh bright blue flowers for their bridal wreaths.

Beautiful Swamp Flower

Blue Vervain is native to the US and can be found in most states. It prefers full or partial sun and wet soggy conditions. Blue Vervain can be found beautifying moist woodlands, marshes, meadows, pastures, wetlands, riversides, and even roadsides.

It is a tall, slender plant that grows up to 5 foot tall with 6 inch leaves that are ‘lanceolate’ (lance-shaped with a point at the end.) The stem ends with floral spikes that bloom from mid to late summer for about 1 ½ months. The floral bloom grows up to 5 inches long and is densely covered with vibrant bluish/violet flowers.

The small, tubular flowers are about a quarter inch in size, with 5 petals and no obvious scent. Blue Vervain is easily identifiable because it’s the only member of the Verbena family with violet colored flowers. The flowers attract a diverse variety of insects and moths seeking its nectar and gardeners plant it to attract butterflies and songbirds (who eat the seeds).

Both the leaves and flowers are used in herbal preparations, and the bright blue/violet color comes from the health-bestowing phytochemicals.

“I like it very very much because it makes me feel so good and it's so pretty! This is the Blue Vervain.” - Dr. Sebi.

History of Use

This herb’s versatility and long history of use explains why Dr. Sebi championed it so strongly:

• Anxiety - tonic for anxiety and overwhelm, particularly for people who are uptight, controlling, or overthink.
• Calming – soothes and relaxes the nervous system, thanks to a compound called verbenalin.
• Colds - the Cherokee Tribe used Blue Vervain to treat coughs and colds.
• Cosmetics – used in aftershave, bath bombs, creams, lotions, massage oils, perfume and soap.
• Depression - rich in depression-busting flavonoids and mood boosting compounds.
• Detoxification - the bitter quality is beneficial for the liver, encouraging bile flow, and kidneys.
• Food - Native Americans ground Blue Vervain seeds into flour while leaves and flowers can be served in a salad.
• Inflammation - it can be applied topically to reduce inflammation, and is also effective for joint pain.
• Insomnia - it’s an effective sleep aid helping you relax and wind down.
• Lactation – it is a ‘galactagogue’ (stimulates the production of breastmilk).
• Malaria - leaf extract has been used against parasites that cause malaria.
• Menstruation - effective for period pains and mood swings.
• Nerves - non-sedative (doesn’t put you to sleep) nervine (tonic for nourishing the nervous system.)
• OCD - can reduce the impulsive thoughts and actions of obsessive compulsive individuals.
• Seizures - anticonvulsant properties that lessons the severity of some types of epilepsy.
• Spiritual - mixed with St. John’s Wort, Blue Vervain was believed to keep people safe from evil.
• Stomach Upsets - It helps to eliminate diarrhea and restore healthy bowel movement.
• Troublesome Individuals - the Iroquois Tribe used mashed Blue Vervain leaves to get rid of “obnoxious persons.”
• Ulcers - leaf extract has been used to treat ulcers and lesson infections.

“This plant contains iron, magnesium, phosphorus, but one of the things that I like about it, it contains zinc and also potassium phosphate, so it appeals to the central nervous system.” – Dr. Sebi.

How to use Blue Vervain

To harvest Blue Vervain:

• Snip off the flowering stems with a pair of scissors or at the base.
• Harvest when the leaves are still green and the flowers are in full bloom.
• Use fresh when possible or dry it very gently in a dehydrator at 95°F.

“The blue vervain is a plant that you have to be careful in processing.”– Dr Sebi.

Try this simple herbal tea at home:

• Boil a quart of water in a pan.
• Add an ounce of leaves and flowers.
• Let it steep for 10 minutes.
• Be aware that the taste is very bitter!
• Add agave if you find the bitterness overwhelming.

Products that Contain Blue Vervain

Blue Vervain has a starring role in these Dr. Sebi’s Cell Food products:

• Bio Ferro cleanses and nourishes the blood, supporting the immune system. Bioactive minerals and powerful phytochemicals enhance oxygenation, increase detoxification, and enhance cellular nutrition.
• Estro supports female reproductive health and hormonal balance. Targeted antioxidants and aphrodisiacs support libido and ease menstruation.
• Eva Salve nourishes skin, promoting elasticity and moisture retention. Anti-inflammatory and astringent herbs penetrate the skin with their nourishing essential oils.
• Green Food Plus is an intensely nutritious multi-mineral formula that feeds your immune system. Densely packed with protective antioxidants, this chlorophyll-rich formula provides alkalinizing nutrition for your cells.
• Iron Plus is a nutritive and cleansing tonic that supports the blood and immune system. Antioxidants mitigate inflammation and help the immune system focus on rejuvenation.
• Uterine Wash & Oil promotes healthy female reproductive organs. Astringent herbs cleanse and prevent infection, while plant hormones reduce menstrual or menopausal symptoms.
• Viento delivers invigorating herbs that support your body’s natural energy efficiency, boosting emotional stability, and mental clarity.
• Banju: This tonic enhances focus and cognitive functions, stabilizes emotions, balances the nervous system, and protects against oxidative stress. It is rich in potassium phosphate that helps replenish minerals and antioxidants, reducing inflammation.

From Roman brides to the herb collectors of today, Blue Vervain has been making waves in the herbal world for centuries. With astonishing healing properties, it’s no wonder Dr. Sebi commended this pretty purple flower.

Natural Solutions

Mother Nature equipped us with all the plants we need for our health, but often the best ones get maligned because they limit the profit potential of man-made chemicals. Blue Vervain is technically known as an ‘invasive’ species because it can thrive in poor conditions, and spreads relatively easily.

We don’t have to look far for the solutions to our problems, when we know what to look for! Weeds and ‘invasive’ species are very resilient and they offer us protection from the physically and mentally stressful world we live in. Trust that Mother Nature has gifted us herbs that can heal all our wounds. What gift does she have for you?