Vervain the Wise Woman’s Dream Herb
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The Wise Woman’s herbal ally for inner wisdom.
Clairvoyance
Protection
Sleep Remedy
Oneirogenic
Nervine Tonic
Digestive Aid
Emotional Support
Vervain
Latin name Verbena officinalis
Vervain has been long respected for its ability to tap into the wellspring of human potential, holding a special place in the sacred practice of many wise women. The herb is turned to for protection, nervous system support, healthy digestion, restful sleep, dreamwork, and developing psychic senses.
With its origins rooted in diverse landscapes ranging from woodland edges and open meadows to rocky slopes and hillsides, Vervain has thrived across the world. Its remarkable adaptability and inherent qualities have made it a revered herbal ally in many cultures.
Among those who held Vervain in the highest esteem were the Druids, who regarded it as one of their most sacred herbs, using it for blessing sacred spaces, infusing anointing oils, as an herb offering, dream interpretation, and receiving prophetic insights. It was thought to open and clear the psyche, enabling connections with the beyond.
Inner Eye
MYTHIC
CHARACTER
ELEMENT
Water
POLARITY
Negative (Yin)
INNER GUIDE
Inner Eye
ASSOCIATIONS
Fertility
Love
Enchantments
Protection
Visions/Prophecy
Dreams
CALMING BALM
Vervain is like a calming balm for the mind, gently soothing the racing thoughts and chatter that can cloud our intuition and psychic senses.
Our ancestors knew the herb’s potential to awaken our inner eye, which is responsible for perception beyond ordinary sight. The association of Vervain with the inner eye is due to its ability to stimulate the pineal gland, which is located in the center of the brain and is responsible for producing melatonin, a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and is also linked to altered states of consciousness. Vervain is also believed to possess a mild sedative effect and is in essence a nervine tonic, meaning it can help to strengthen and nourish the nervous system over time. By easing the nervous system and bringing about a sense of inner calm, the herb clears the way for clarity and inner knowledge to emerge.
In Welsh mythos, the goddess Cerridwen used Vervain in her cauldron to inspire prophetic dreams and visions.
ENHANCED DREAMS
Druids believe Vervain can stimulate the flow of Awen (Inspiration) as it is mentioned in the poem ‘ The Chair of Taliesin’ as being one of the ingredients in Cerridwen’s cauldron. Today, modern research supports Vervain’s ability to promote lucid dreaming and enhance dream activity. During sleep, our brains release a neurotransmitter called Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which plays a vital role in regulating anxiety and promoting relaxation. The active compounds in Vervain have been scientifically proven to bind to GABA receptors in the brain, increasing the amount of GABA released and enhancing their activity. By enhancing the activity of these receptors, Vervain can increase the likelihood of having vivid, meaningful dreams, offering a glimpse into the hidden depths of the subconscious mind.
ONEIROMANCY
The practice of interpreting dreams. syn. dreamwork
WAYS TO USE VERVAIN FOR DREAMWORK
Teas
Tonics
Hot Baths
Steams
Pillow Sachets
Smoke Blends
Burning Incense
The Wise
Woman
Wise women were the original witches before being unjustly demonized. They were revered and celebrated as healers, herbalists, and keepers of sacred knowledge, nurturing their communities with their wisdom and guidance.
It is said Vervain sprang from the tears of wise women, their grief igniting its growth.
The mythical story of Juno’s Tears tells of how the Vervain plant came to be. Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage and childbirth, wept for the suffering of her beloved people. Her tears fell upon the Earth, and the soil absorbed them with a deep sense of reverence. In her infinite wisdom, Mother Earth transformed the tears into the delicate and potent Vervain plant, a symbol of the Earth’s power to transmute pain and sadness into something beautiful and restorative.
In the ancient tales of Egyptian mythology, Vervain is said to have blossomed from the tears of the grieving goddess Isis, shed in sorrow for her lover, Osiris, who had been tragically slain.The presence of the herb at times of loss and grief shows up again in Christian mythos as an herb used to clean the wounds of Christ after he hung on the cross.
Vervain, with its capacity to soothe and rejuvenate, reminds us that in the darkest of times, there is always the potential for growth and transformation. Its essence serves as a gentle reminder that healing is not just about curing our physical ailments, but about restoring our spirit to a state of balance and harmony.
LOVE
ENCHANTMENTS
In ancient Roman culture, Vervain was considered a symbol of love and romance. Carrying or wearing Vervain could help attract love, passion, and romantic affection.
FERTILITY
MAGIC
Vervain has been scattered across fields during the Summer Solstice, a ritual believed to infuse them with fertility. Similarly, gardeners have long strewn it over their plots and beds, to ensure bountiful harvests. These age-old customs are a testament to the enduring belief in Vervain’s ability to nourish, supporting the cycle of life, and fostering fertility.
EMOTIONAL
BALANCE
As a mover of water, Vervain can help wash away stagnant emotions that often underlie various emotional challenges. The herb has been used to manage mood swings, emotional fluctuations, and mild depressive feelings.
Wild
Medicine
HEALING
PROFILE
ENERGETICS
Cooling + Drying
FLAVOR
Bitter
AROMA
Pungent
ACTIONS
Calming
Tonifying
INDICATIONS
Anxiety + Stress
Muscle Tension
Insomnia
Indigestion
Respitory Infections
Fevers
Congestion
Headaches/Migraines
High Blood Pressure
PARTS USED
Aerial parts
(leaves, stems, flowers)
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Vervain is known as ma bian cao and is used for its bitter and cooling properties. Its cooling nature is believed to help soothe inflammation and heat-related conditions.
NERVINE
As a nervine tonic, Vervain is thought to calm the nervous system, easing tension, insomnia, anxiety, and stress, and promoting relaxation. It has been used to relieve headaches, migraines, and nervous exhaustion.
DIGESTIVE AID
The bitter taste of Vervain stimulates digestive processes, supporting healthy digestion and alleviating digestive discomfort. In Ayurvedic medicine, Vervain is associated with the element of fire an essential element for digestion and metabolism. Additionally, its bitter compounds may contribute to liver support and detoxification.
IMMUNE SUPPORT
Vervain contains powerful antioxidants, which protect the body from harmful free radicals that can cause cellular damage. These antioxidants, combined with the plant’s anti-inflammatory properties, make Vervain a potent ally in supporting immune system function and reducing the risk of chronic disease.
CAUTION
Avoid Vervain during pregnancy, as it may stimulate the uterus, and consult with your healthcare provider if you’re taking medications, including blood thinners, antidepressants, and sedatives. Allergic reactions, especially for those sensitive to mint-family plants, are possible. High doses of vervain may lead to gastrointestinal discomfort, including nausea and vomiting.
Cultivars
✶ = known for inducing potent dreams.
✶
Common Vervain
Verbena officinalis
Common Vervain is native to Europe, but it has spread to various parts of the world, including the Americas, where it has become naturalized. It was used by the ancient Celtics, Druids, Greeks, Romans, Persians, and Egyptians. Common Vervain features pale lilac flower clusters.
✶
Blue Vervain
Verbena hastata
Blue Vervain is Native to North America and used by various indigenous tribes including the Ojibwe, Navajo, Haudenosaunee, and Cheyenne peoples. This species typically grows taller and has deeper blue/purple flowers than Common Vervain.
Purpletop Vervain
Verbena bonariensis
Purpletop Vervain is originally from South America but has been introduced and naturalized in various regions, including North America and Europe. While it does not have an extensive history of traditional use like the other two species, it is commonly cultivated as an ornamental plant and appreciated for its tall, showy flowers.
I have this species growing in my garden!
Grow Your Own Verbena
in Your Cut Flower Garden:
Harvest
Harvest the leaves and flowers in the morning when the plant is dry and the dew has evaporated. Vervain was one of four herbs used by the Ancient Druids that they harvested during the dark of the moon with Sirius rising. It had to be cut with a sickle and raised aloft in the left hand, after which prayers and an offering of honey were given to the earth. Vervain was so sacred that anyone who picked one had to immediately place a honeycomb on the spot.
LEGAL STATUS
Legal everywhere in the world.
⊙
SOURCES
- Wood, M. (2008). The earthwise herbal: A complete guide to old world medicinal plants. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books.Culpeper, N. (1990).
- Culpeper’s complete herbal. Ware, Herts., England: Wordsworth Editions.
- World Health Organization. (1999). WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization.
- “The Homeric Hymns and Homerica with an English Translation by Hugh G. Evelyn-White,” published by Harvard University Press in 1914.
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I am a forager herbalist Christian historian student with an appreciation for witchcraft in the ways it connects us to nature and the supernatural. There is definitely room for all of us as we reverence the many gifts freely available right in our own back yards. As you are doing here, acknowledging our history as women, as historic, intuitive healers, can lead to a fulfillment we didn’t even know we needed in this modern world. Additionally, I firmly believe that this lost knowledge will come to be more valuable in the future where there is less trust in Big Pharmacy — or perhaps the modern medicine we know could some day be unavailable to us.
Thank you for your work. Beautiful website. I subscribed
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and heartfelt comment! It’s wonderful to hear from someone who shares such a deep appreciation for the interconnectedness of nature, our past, and spirituality.
I wholeheartedly agree that there’s immense value in acknowledging and preserving the wisdom of our ancestors, especially the knowledge held by women as intuitive healers. The gifts that the Earth offers, such as Vervain, are indeed treasures that have supported humanity for centuries and continue to do so. Thank you again for your support and for being a part of this community! 🫶