Vervain Benefits & Information

Uses

Vervain is for people whose digestion suffers when they feel low: it improves the digestive function at the same time as lifting the sufferer’s spirit. It is useful for non-specific problems, such as in cases where your stomach or bowel just doesn’t feel right but you can’t identify any particular problem For example, women can often experience digestive disturbances together with mood swings just before their period, and vervain tea is a suitable choice in this situation.

Vervain Benefits & Information Photo Gallery

Similarly, people with chronic fatigue syndrome often complain about non-specific digestive problems; again, vervain tea will often help.

Combinations

Vervain combines well with chamomile and/or with peppermint, either as a tea or tincture.

How to take

Vervain makes a pleasant tea and can be drunk regularly every day by people whose digestion is easily effected by stress and anxiety, especially when their appetite diminishes. It is best to drink it in the evening in such cases. Tincture can be used instead of tea.

Dosage

Adults: 1 cup of infusion, 1-2 times a day; or 1-2ml diluted with some water, 1-3 times a day, tincture strength 1:2.

Children (2-16years old): adjust the adult dose downwards, depending on the age of the child – see post 6.

Witch hazel leaf

Uses

The primary use of witch hazel is for really bad diarrhoea resulting from eating or drinking something dubious. It is a very astringent herb and should therefore be reserved for extreme situations. Witch hazel is also used externally for haemorrhoids (see post 62).

Combinations

Witch hazel can be combined with an antimicrobial herb (barberry or garlic) and an antiinflammatory herb (chamomile or liquorice) for the treatment of diarrhoea (see post 58 for details of mixing and dosage).

How to take

Witch hazel is best taken in tincture form.

Dosage

Adults: 1-2ml diluted with some water, 1-3 times a day, tincture strength 1:2.

Children (2-16years old): adjust the adult dose downwards, depending on the age of the child – see post 6.