Vervain is a flowering perennial herb native to the Mediterranean region and widely cultivated throughout Europe, Asia and North Africa. Traditionally, vervain is used in herbal medicine to ease headache, depression, anxiety and insomnia. In homeopathy, it is used to treat sleep apnea. Since there is no clinical evidence to support the latter, however, any claim of efficacy is strictly anecdotal. Talk to your physician before using complementary therapies for sleep apnea, especially if you take other medications.
Herb Profile
The botanical name for vervain is Verbena officinalis. The genus name is taken from the Latin "verbenae," a term used by the ancient Romans to designate plants suitable for placement on altars based on their aromatic properties. This herb is also known by many common names, including wild hyssop, holy herb, Juno's tears, simpler's joy, pigeon's grass, herb of grace and herb of the cross.
Traditional Use
The 17th century English botonanist, Nicholas Culpeper, described vervain as a galactagogue, which means that it stimulates lactation. In traditional Chinese medicine, the herb has been used for centuries to reduce fluid retention and to treat malaria, gout, kidney stones and painful menstruation. Vervain has also long been associated with an ability to calm the nerves, ease depression and induce sleep. It is among the flowers used by Edward Bach to develop the homeopathic formulas known as Bach flower remedies in the early 20th century, with vervain specifically intended to address anxiety. Since that time, advocates of homeopathy have recommended this remedy or similar homeopathic preparations to treat sleep apnea.
Pharmacological Effects
According to the "Physicians' Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines," verbenalin, a glycoside extracted from vervain, is responsible for the medicinal properties of the herb. As a drug, vervain is used for disorders that affect the nose, mouth and throat, such as asthma and cough. Vervain compounds also produce a sedative effect. In a study published in the June 2002 issue of "Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences," a team of Japanese researchers investigated the hypnotic effects of vervain and described the herb as a promising sedative and nerve tonic. It should be noted, however, that the scientists used a subspecies of verbena and the experiment was carried out on rats. In addition, even if vervain does produce drowsiness, there is no evidence to suggest it has any effect on airway obstruction or impaired breathing rhythm, the main causes of sleep apnea.
Safety Considerations
A review published in the June 14, 2005 issue of "Prescrire International" surmised that herbal remedies for insomnia, including vervain, are likely safe but lack demonstrated effectiveness. There is no scientific evidence that vervain helps sleep apnea patients. Since vervain is reputed to increase menstrual flow and lactation, however, the herb should not be used during pregnancy due to possible hormonal effects. According to Drugs.com, verbenone is converted into 10-hydroxyverbenone by human liver enzymes, but it is not known if this metabolite is harmful.
References
- Drugs.com: Vervain
- "Physicians' Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines"; Thomas Brendler, et al.; 2007
- "Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences"; Hypnotic Effects of Total Aqueous Extracts of Vervain hastata (Verbenaceae) in Rats; MA Akanmu, et al.; 2002
- "Prescrire International"; Management of Insomnia: A Place for Traditional Herbal Remedies; No Authors Listed; 2005
