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Verbena officinalis

Verbena, commonly known as vervain, is a genus of plants with multiple species that have been used in traditional medicine across various cultures. This review examines the scientific evidence for verbena's health benefits, focusing on peer-reviewed publications and clinical research.

Image source and license: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:20190614Verbena_officinalis.jpg.
Modified by Peter Jorgensen.

Botanical Classification and Common Names

The genus Verbena belongs to the family Verbenaceae and includes approximately 250 species. The most commonly studied species for medicinal purposes include:

• Verbena officinalis (Common Vervain, European Vervain, Herb of Grace)
• Verbena hastata (Blue Vervain, American Vervain, Swamp Verbena)
• Aloysia citrodora (Lemon Verbena) - Note: Though commonly called "verbena," this belongs to a different genus within the same family
• Verbena bonariensis (Purpletop Vervain, Tall Verbena)

Plants sometimes confused with medicinal verbena species include:

• Lantana species (often confused with Verbena due to similar appearance)
• Glandularia species (formerly classified as Verbena)
• Lippia species (related genus in Verbenaceae family)

Evidence-Based Health Benefits

Based on recent peer-reviewed research, verbena has demonstrated the following properties:

• Anti-inflammatory effects: Multiple studies have documented the anti-inflammatory properties of verbenalin and verbascoside, key compounds in Verbena officinalis.
• Anxiolytic and sedative effects: Research has shown mild anxiety-reducing and sedative properties of verbena extracts in animal models.
• Antimicrobial activity: In vitro studies confirm antimicrobial properties against several pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.
• Antioxidant properties: Verbena extracts show significant free radical scavenging activity attributed to its polyphenolic compounds.
• Digestive support: Clinical trials suggest efficacy for gastrointestinal disorders, particularly when combined with other herbs.

Conditions with Supporting Evidence

Current peer-reviewed literature suggests verbena may help alleviate (but not cure) the following conditions:

• Mild anxiety and insomnia (moderate evidence)
• Inflammatory conditions including arthritis (preliminary evidence)
• Digestive disorders including irritable bowel syndrome (moderate evidence, especially for Aloysia citrodora)
• Upper respiratory tract infections (preliminary evidence)
• Menstrual discomfort and symptoms (limited evidence)
• Mild pain relief (moderate evidence)

It is important to note that no peer-reviewed studies support verbena as a "cure" for any condition, rather as a complementary approach to alleviate symptoms.

Recommended Dosages and Standardization

Dosages in clinical studies vary widely based on preparation method and species:

• Dried herb: 2-4g daily, typically as infusion (tea)
• Fluid extract (1:1): 2-4mL, three times daily
• Tincture (1:5 in 45% alcohol): 2-5mL, three times daily
• Standardized extract (containing 2.5-3.5% verbascoside): 300-600mg daily

Most clinical studies have used extracts standardized to verbascoside (acteoside) content, as this compound is considered one of the primary active constituents. However, a lack of standardization across studies makes direct comparisons challenging.

Side Effects and Contraindications

Verbena is generally recognized as safe when consumed in amounts typically found in foods or as traditional herbal preparations. However, the following adverse effects have been reported:

• Gastrointestinal disturbances (rare)
• Skin sensitivity and photosensitivity (primarily with topical use)
• Potential uterine stimulation (contraindicated during pregnancy)
• Herb-drug interactions, particularly with anticoagulants and sedatives
• Allergic reactions in sensitized individuals

Contraindications include pregnancy (due to potential uterine stimulant effects), breastfeeding (insufficient safety data), bleeding disorders, and before surgery due to potential anticoagulant effects.

High-Dose Studies and Knowledge Gaps

Few studies have systematically investigated doses above the recommended therapeutic range. The available research indicates:

• No additional therapeutic benefits have been documented at doses exceeding 600mg of standardized extract daily
• Higher doses may increase risk of side effects, particularly gastrointestinal disturbances
• Significant knowledge gaps exist regarding long-term safety profiles of high-dose verbena supplementation
• No established maximum tolerable dose has been determined through systematic toxicological studies

A research gap exists regarding dose-dependent effects of specific verbena compounds and their potential hormonal interactions at higher doses. More research is needed to establish upper safety limits and potential toxicity thresholds.

Conclusion

Current scientific evidence supports moderate benefits of verbena for inflammatory conditions, anxiety, and digestive disorders. However, significant limitations exist in the available research, including small sample sizes, varied methodology, and lack of standardization across studies. While verbena shows promise as a complementary approach for several health conditions, more rigorous clinical trials are needed to fully establish efficacy, optimal dosing, and long-term safety.

References

Chaachouay, N., Elachouri, M., & Bussmann, R. W. (2024). Verbena officinalis L. Verbenaceae. In Ethnobotany of Northern Africa and Levant (pp. 2135-2141). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.

Dai, X., Zhou, X., Shao, R., Zhao, R., Yanamandra, A. K., Xing, Z., ... & Wang, Y. (2023). Bioactive constituents of verbena officinalis alleviate inflammation and enhance killing efficiency of natural killer cells. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(8), 7144.

El-Wakil, E. S., El-Shazly, M. A., El-Ashkar, A. M., Aboushousha, T., & Ghareeb, M. A. (2022). Chemical profiling of Verbena officinalis and assessment of its anti-cryptosporidial activity in experimentally infected immunocompromised mice. Arabian Journal of Chemistry, 15(7), 103945.

Khan, A. W., Khan, A. U., & Ahmed, T. (2016). Anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, and sedative activities of Verbena officinalis. Frontiers in pharmacology, 7, 499.

Kubica, P., Szopa, A., Dominiak, J., Luczkiewicz, M., & Ekiert, H. (2020). Verbena officinalis (common vervain)–a review on the investigations of this medicinally important plant species. Planta medica, 86(17), 1241-1257.

Stepanova, S. I., Shtrygol, S. Y., Tovchiga, O. V., & Demeshko, O. V. (2023). Clinical and pharmacological aspects of vervain (Verbena officinalis L.) using in the treatment of respiratory system diseases (literature review). Farmatsevtychnyi zhurnal, (5), 71-83.

Zhang, W., Zhang, P., Xu, L. H., Gao, K., Zhang, J. L., Yao, M. N., ... & Wu, Q. X. (2024). Ethanol extract of Verbena officinalis alleviates MCAO-induced ischaemic stroke by inhibiting IL17A pathway-regulated neuroinflammation. Phytomedicine, 123, 155237.