Blue Vervain is one of the staple herbs found in our She’s Nervy tincture. While it has many uses (including as a bitter herb), we use it for more of it’s relaxing nervine properties.

Taste:

• VERY Bitter
• Acrid (a mix of bitter and sour).

Did you know that herbs which are considered acrid (taste) are also known to be antispasmodic/spasmolytic/relaxant

Action:

• Draining, cooling effect on the tissues.
• Bitter tonic.
• Nervine sedative (gently relaxes tension in the body, calms the nervous system).
• Also considered a nervine trophorestorative (replenishes, rejuvenates and strengthens the nervous system).
• Anti-spasmodic/relaxant.
• Relaxant diaphoretic for fever (not the same as a stimulant diaphoretic) – they work by relaxing tension related to the later stages of fever when we are hot, our muscles are aching, we can’t sleep, skin is HOT and dry. Drains the heat from the tissues.
• Emetic – it can induce vomiting. This is where we use caution with dosages. It’s why we use moderate amounts (a dew drops on it’s own in tincture format is all you need). 
• Diuretic – water gives it a stronger affinity for the liver and kidneys, so adding it to water will help it work better in that regard. If your ureter is cramping around a kidney stone this would be beneficial to relax the tension in the smooth muscles, flushing the kidneys.
• Emmenagogue – for a stuck, stagnant menses. It is a cooling and draining and bitter which helps to drain fluids out of the tissues (downward bearing mechanism of action). 
• Galactagogue – used post childbirth to help stimulate/increase lactation. Stimulates the mammary glands (some sources may say it is contraindicated however it is classified in the materia medica as this category) 

Affinity:

• Digestive system
• Liver/gallbladder – while the liver is not directly related to the nervous system, the hepatic artery is, which determines the state of the liver. 
• Stomach (increases stomach secretions), large and small intestine support
• Increases gallbladder secretions, and pancreatic-enzymes.
• Stronger affinity for the liver than the gallbladder.
• Stronger affinity for the stomach than the intestines.
• Not truly considered a Cholagogue or colorectal (does not strongly purge bile fro the liver/gallbladder).
• Relaxes tension in the liver
• Febrile mechanism (fever response) 
• Nerves, nerve tissue, nervous system (Primary affinity is relaxant)
• Muscles (smooth and skeletal) 
• Female reproductive system (specifically the uterus/spasms, stuck menses)
• Kidneys 9via diuretic effect and relaxant to ureter 
• The MIND – emotional and mental disposition. Those who know…know.

Energetics:

• Cooling – draining… moving downward (since it’s so bitter it is quite cooling, sedates heat (heat rises), sedates excitation and irritation of the tissues through 
• Drying effect on the constitution over time. Increases secretions leaving the body (pee more, increases secretions in the GI, increases menses) it can moisten a dried out tissue short term but not long term
• Relaxant – gentle yet strong.

Tissue states: 

• Primarily wind tension/constriction (tied to air/wind Vata) – muscles and nerves. Nervous tension/anxiety/stress manifesting as stiffness inthe muscles, spasm or stiffness.
• Heat/excitation. irritation in the mind and body.
• Wind and Fire like Vita and Patta. Wind on fire makes fire grow… 

When we look at the Doshas what do we see?

(this is not my specialty however it deserves a mention)

Pitta: Cooling means it will decrease Pitta. For those with a strong Pitta constitution this could be a good thing. For those who are strong willed, driven, burning the candle at both ends – type A people. 

Vata: It both increases and decreases certain aspects. Since Vata is already cold and dry it will be aggrivated by this componant of this herb however what trumos this action is the relaxant portion. Since Vata is tense, blue vervain especially when combined to balance the cooling/drying aspect it will be great especially when they are extra tense. You can add a little ginger to warm it up if you find it too cold. Vata is wind, constantly moving and changing.

Kapha: This herb is not for this category. Due to Kapha already being cold and relaxed it doesn’t need the addition of more of what it already has. It will be more aggrivating.

Due to it’s nervine trophorestorative properties you may find that using this herb daily after a period of time makes you feel that your nervous system has become more resilient, less on edge and better adapted to stressors that life throws your way. It’s mild enough that it won’t make you sleepy but it will cut that edge both in high and even in lower doses. A little goes a long way with this one.

Blue vervain is known as a relaxant diaphoretic, it’s a nervine sedative and anti-spasmodic which works fabulously to relax tension in our peripheral vasculature (the part of the circulatory system that consists of the veins and arteries not in the chest or abdomen). When you are feeling irritable, experiencing a stress related tension headaches, muscle cramping, can’t sleep, feeling anxious or nervous, then this is the herb for you.

While it’s not as strong of a nervine sedatives as some other herbs like passion flower (also found in our She’s Nervy formulation), it is known to be uplifting which is great for the blues, depression and overall feelings of blah.

Another nice feature of this herb is that it is going to combat a nervous tummy. If you have digestive insufficiency associated with nervousness and tension then this remedy is for you.

Blue vervain also helps to relax smooth muscles (the muscles that surround organ systems) as well as skeletal muscles. Anywhere there are spasms (kidney stones, gallbladder, colic, digestive spasms etc).

We refer to blue vervain an “emmenagogue” – as it helps with amenorrhea (that is when we miss one or more cycles of our period) and dysmenorrhea (this is when we have severe or frequent cramping with menstruation). It relaxes the nerves and supports us through PMS, hormonal imbalances (but not a hormone balancer) and mood swings. It has the ability to help move what is stuck in the liver, which is part of our hormone detox pathway. Great for menopause with hot flashes (especially when we mix with motherwort and black cohosh).  Helps with the cramping we get during our period (due to the antispasmodic effects) , lack of flow, PMS – irritability, frustration and anger along with food cravings. That PMS craving is no joke! Some women have a harder time during the second half of their cycle (which is dominated by progesterone) – this is great in those circumstances.

Men can use it too, difficulty becoming aroused, maintaining an erection. Believe it or  not men can get stuck in their heads as well. This is great to get them back into their “feeling” rather their head. It has a beautiful pelvic affinity – regardless of female or male it will draw the energy downwards.

Dosage:

• Tea/infusion: 1 tsp/8 oz (it is a very bitter plant, tea is gong to taste horrible so either add herbs (peppermint, lemon balm, liquorice etc) however it is better served as a tincture. Tea works well for fever of course.
• Tincture: 1:2 (fresh) or 1:3 – in 60-70% tincture. Fresh is best for this but get what you can. Low dose works well for this, 3-5 drops is all you need! You can use up to 15-20 drops if needed. 30 – 60 drops may induce nausea or gastric discomfort so stay on the lower side. 

****Due to the emmenagogue component it is contraindicated for pregnancy**

****High doses can be emetic so stick to low, moderate doses. Tincture is better tolerated than infusions (tea)***

****No known herb to drug interactions as of January 2023, be sure to speak with your health care provider before starting any new herbal regime****