Blue Vervain Tincture

Written By Kayla Ellis

Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata). Image by Annette Meyer from Pixabay.

Having trouble letting go?

One of my favorite herbs to work with when you’re having trouble finding the bright spots among the stressors of life or allowing yourself to be “good enough” rather than perfect is Blue Vervain.

Blue Vervain helps shift your awareness to the present moment and let go of the stress that isn’t serving you. It helps you find grace for yourself when you’re pushing yourself too hard and can’t seem to see the progress you’ve made.

Because this herb is so bitter, it’s a perfect candidate for tincturing!

Blue Vervain Tincture

To help you relax and see the beauty in the present moment, try the tincture recipe below!

Ingredients and Materials

  • Dried Blue Vervain

  • 60% Alcohol

  • Mason Jar

  • Cheese Cloth

  • Funnel

  • Dropper Bottle (amber colored for better storage)

  • Labels

Instructions

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Gently chop or break up the Blue Vervain.

  3. In a ratio of 1 part plant matter to 5 parts alcohol, add the ingredients to a large mason jar.

  4. Label the lid of the mason jar with the contents, date, ratio, and alcohol percentage.

  5. Close the mason jar tightly and shake vigorously.

  6. Let the plant matter soak in the alcohol for 4-6 weeks in a dark area, shaking occasionally.

  7. After 4-6 weeks, strain the tincture through the cheese cloth into the dropper bottle, discarding the plant material after squeezing as much liquid out as possible.

  8. Label the dropper bottle and store in a cool, dark place.

Dosing

30 to 90 drops up to 4x per day.

Warnings

Do not use this tincture if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, have liver disease, have hypotension, or use depressants. Always review any and all new herbal supplements with your doctor before using.

Other Benefits of Blue Vervain

Blue Vervain has many benefits along with stress relief. Listed below are some of its helpful herby actions:

  • Stress Relief: Blue Vervain helps the body switch from “Fight or Flight” into “Rest and Digest” by engaging the parasympathetic nervous system when the sympathetic nervous system is in overdrive.

  • Muscle Relaxation: Blue Vervain acts as a mild sedative, allowing tense muscles to relax and tension to be released. It’s amazing for tension headaches as well, particularly when combined with Skullcap or Wood Betony.

  • Cooling: Blue Vervain is a cooling herb, which helps the body release the tense heat associated with anger, anxiety, and overwhelm.

  • Digestive Support: As a bitter herb, Blue Vervain helps stimulate the secretion of bile and digestive juices, helping fight the upset stomach that can come with stress.

  • Period Support: Blue Vervain can help bring on a late or stagnant period.

If you want to learn more about herbs that support stress relief and happiness, check out A Little Herby Happiness - 5 herbs that support happiness.

Finally, I personally invite you to join this growing community of herbal enthusiasts. Try a recipe, attend a workshop, or explore my collection of herbal short videos and products. Follow me on social media to stay updated on my latest herbal recipes, upcoming events, and special promotions. Newsletter sign up can be found below!

Kayla Ellis