Blue Vervain

Verbena hastata (American vervain, Blue vervain or Swamp verbena) is a flowering plant in the vervain family, Verbenaceae. It is a herb with opposite, simple leaves which have double-serate margins, borne on stiffly erect, branching square stems. The flowers appear in summer and are purple. This is a common plant that occurs across North America. They are hardy and drought resistant.
See also :

• Vervain
• Bitters

Health Benefits and uses of Blue Vervain are

• The leaves and roots are antiperiodic, diaphoretic, emetic, expectorant, tonic, vermifuge and vulnerary. *The roots are more active than the leaves.
• The plant is used in the treatment of stomach aches, gravel, worms and scrofula.
• An infusion of the roots, leaves or seeds has been used in the early stages of fevers.
• A snuff made from the dried flowers has been used to treat nose bleeds.