Remedies Used for the Cure of Vervain

Active components are obtained from the leaves and flowering heads of European vervain, Verbena officinalis, a member of the vervain or verbena family. Originally native to the Mediterranean, the herb is now cultivated widely throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. A related species, the American vervain, V. hastata, is native to the central and eastern United States and also used medicinally.

Chemical Components

Vervain contains tannin, flavonoids (mainly luteolin 7-diglucuronide), glycosides (verbenalin, hastatoside, verbenin), volatile oils (geraniol, limonene, verbenone), and vitamin K. The leaves contain adenosine and beta-carotene. The roots and stems contain stachyose.

Actions

In large doses, the glycoside verbenin has been thought to stimulate milk excretion in low doses and inhibit sympathetic nerve endings on the heart, blood vessels, intestines, and salivary glands. Two studies failed to show antidiarrheal, antigonadotropic, or antithyrotropic activity .
Various extracts of aerial parts of V. officinalis demonstrated antiinflammatory activity .

Reported Uses

Traditionally, vervain has been claimed to be useful in anemia, bronchitis, colds, cramps, dysuria, eczema, edema, fever, hemorrhoids, insomnia, kidney stones, malaria, neuralgia, ocular disease, pertussis, pleurisy, rheumatism, tumors, tympany, ulcers, and uterine disorders. It has also been used as an analgesic, an anthelmintic, an antispasmodic, an aphrodisiac, an astringent, a diaphoretic, a diuretic, an emetic, and an expectorant. Clinical data are lacking.
One study of vervain for use against kidney stones concluded that more effective pharmacologic therapies are available.

Dosage

As a purgative and for bowel pain, a decoction of 2 oz to 1 qt of water P.O. daily has been used .
As a sedative, 360 mg (1 capsule) P.O. at bedtime.

Adverse Reactions

CNS: CNS paralysis, clonic and tetanic seizures (with large doses), stupor.
Other: contact dermatitis.

Interactions

Anticoagulants: The vitamin K found in vervain may reduce anticoagulant effect. Monitor lNR and consider adjusting dose, if necessary.
Iron supplements: Herbal teas that contain vervain may significantly impair iron absorption . Do not use together.

Contraindications and Precautions

Use vervain cautiously in patients with multiple allergies or in those with asthma or other respiratory disorders. Also use it cautiously in patients with a history of seizure disorders; in large doses, vervain is capable of inducing seizures.

Special Considerations

Inform the patient with seizure disorder that vervain may exacerbate seizure activity if taken in excessive amounts.

Inform the patient that no clinical data support the use of vervain for any medical condition.

Caution the patient taking anticoagulants that even though vervain has been known in folk medicine to slow blood coagulation, it still may diminish the effectiveness of warfarin. Additional monitoring and dosage adjustments may be necessary.

Points of Interest

The FDA has classified vervain as an herb of undefined safety.

Commentary

Although vervain has had many traditional uses, there is little, if any, clinical information to support its use for any medical condition. Therefore, it cannot be recommended for use. Patients who take iron supplements or warfarin should be informed of the potential for interactions with their drug therapy.

Article Source: http://www.christiannotepad.com

The author Mike Singh is not a professional writer on drugs and medicines , and all the above information is for educational purposes only. However, one can find more health related articles on www.online-health-care.com/blog/ .

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