You may have seen this low lying, circular plant in your driveway or yard and not known what to call it. Prostrate Vervain, or Verbena bracteata, is a slender perennial plant with small, pale lilac flowers borne on leafless spikes.
It is indigenous to the Mediterranean area but has been cultivated widely throughout eastern Europe, North Africa, China, and Japan. The name “verbenae” originally was used in Roman times to describe all plants used on altars for their aromatic qualities.
It is indigenous to the Mediterranean area but has been cultivated widely throughout eastern Europe, North Africa, China, and Japan. The name “verbenae” originally was used in Roman times to describe all plants used on altars for their aromatic qualities.
The aerial parts have been used traditionally for many conditions, including stimulation of lactation and treatment of dysmenorrhea.
Healers have also used prostrate vervain for jaundice, gout, kidney stones, headache, depression, anxiety, and insomnia. The Navajo used the stems and leaves to make a poultice to treat centipede bites. Vervain is considered astringent, a bitter digestive tonic, and a diuretic.
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| Prostrate Vervain stems , leaves and flowers |
**This information is just for fun and knowledge. It is not meant to encourage you to treat any ailments without competent medical advice. Thank you.
by Laura Bergeson
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