Verbena officinalis( Verbena officinalis)

Verbena is a member of the vervain family, grows on vacant lots and wastelands, along roadsides, in hedges and fences.

Description

Perennial plant with a rough rough stalk, 30-60 cm in height, branching at the top. At the ends of the branches are small pink or pale blue flowers, collected in rare long thin spicate inflorescences. Leaves opposite, lower - petiolate and slightly dissected, upper - sessile, triple-divided or peristopastate with serrate margin on the apices of segments. Blooms from June to September.

Composition

Iridoid-glycoside( verbenalin), essential oil in a small amount, tannins, soluble silicic acid in small amounts, bitterness and mucus.

Growing

Verbena requires solar areas, suitable for all types of soils. Fertilizing the plot for growing verbena is composted before planting and every spring, mulching is recommended. Reproduction is carried out by dividing the old rhizomes in autumn or spring, after which the plants are planted on a prepared fertilized area. It is possible to grow verbena in tubs.

Collect

Collect all the grass during flowering, air-dried, suspended in bundles. Store in a glass bowl or boxes.

Medicinal properties of

Tea improves metabolism, has a diuretic and anticonvulsant effect, is used for gargling with angina and colds of the upper respiratory tract. The so-called "vervain collection" or "verbena tea" is prepared from the leaves of the lippi three-leaved ( Lippia tripbylla), also belonging to the vervain family. Lipia tea is very fragrant, thanks to the fragrant essential oils contained in it, and many like to brew "verbena tea" instead of traditional black tea. The native land of Lippia is Argentina, Uruguay and Chile. In Southern Europe, it is grown in gardens.

Application of

Verbena is taken by mouth and used as a rinse. Old recipes contain references to the use of verbena to stimulate appetite. In cooking, the roots of medicinal verbena are used for marinating cucumbers to give them a strong and spicy odor. With external use fresh crushed verbena leaves are applied to the wounds for the purpose of healing.