Botanical Name: Verbena officinalis (Hoary Vervain), Verbena hastata (Blue Vervain)
Energetics: Cooling, drying
Major Properties: Nervine, antispasmodic, relaxant
Examples of Uses: Stomachache due to anxiety, stiffness at nape of neck due to tension
Parts Used: Flowering tops of plant while in full flower
Preparations:
Tincture
Oil
Personal Observations:
Vervain is beneficial for idealists or Type A persons who are out of balance - wanting to prove things, always analyzing, can see room for improvement everywhere, hardest on self, harsh self criticism, never good enough... Mental feeling of wanting/needing to prove things.
Vervain is also an antispasmodic so it can help the same intense personality types as an IBS remedy or a tension remedy.
Can help to get an idealist/Type A person into balance if out of balance, but he/she will still be a Type A person - just in balance.
May be useful for hot flashes for women who tend to be intense and driven.
This brief overview merely highlights my observations. There is, of course, a great deal of information that you can find on the Internet or in books. Or better yet - get together with other herbalists and share your experiences!
Please add your own experiences so that together we can create a more comprehensive overview.
As always, if you have a chronic ailment that is not resolving itself or an acute issue, seek the attention of your physician.