Verbena is a type of herbaceous plant. The flower has medicinal properties, helps from a list of various ailments, is medicinal. In the Middle Ages they knew what verbena was and what properties it had. Often it was used to relieve fever and was widely used in dermatology, however, the popularity of this flower in the modern world has faded and acquired a mythical character.
Plant description
Verbena is perennial or annual. The type of medicinal product belongs to the Verbenov family. Thanks to powerful roots, the plant reaches a height of more than 60-70 cm. The leaf plate has a saturated green color. Verbena grass is covered with small hairs, the stalk is rectangular, rectangular, rough, bristly. Spike inflorescences are located at the end of the stem. The flowers change color and may look purple or purple.
Medicinal
Important! Some inflorescences, in addition to the main color, can be with red or white eyes, but this is a rare occurrence. In room conditions, this color can not be achieved.
Flowering begins by the beginning of summer (June-July), and verbena begins to bear fruit at the end of summer, but often in early autumn (August-September). The fruit during ripening is divided into four dry lobes, similar to brown nuts.
Plant fruits
Verbena grows in bright, humid and fairly warm places. The culture is not whimsical to living conditions and is often located in the wild: along the coastal lines of reservoirs, near roads, on vacant lots, edges, in the sowing zone as a weed.
Varieties and types
Verbena is characterized by an abundance of species and varieties.
Buenos Aires
This species is also called Argentinean, or Bonar. This herb variety may be perennial or annual, as this variety of flower is dependent on location. Located in colder areas, in Central Russia, it is annual, with a warmer and more natural climate - long-term.
Description:
- elastic and straight stems;
- reaches a height of up to 1.5 m;
- small panicle inflorescences of a funnel-shaped form (complex umbrella);
- inflorescences of purple or lilac color;
- artificial cultivation at home is permissible, does not require garter and support.
Bonarskaya
Hybrid
Hybrid verbena has a wide range of colors, including orange, coral peach shades (yellow perennial verbena is often found with red blotches), as well as many forms of plants:
- dwarf;
- ampelous;
- ground cover;
- tall.
A hybrid stalk is creeping or straight. On average, a flower shrub grows from 15 to 60 cm and forms umbrellas from 35-40 flowers. Flowering occurs at the very beginning of summer and continues until the start of frost. This species is resistant to diseases and low temperatures, not whimsical to care. Verbena in a cache-pot and flowerpots looks very impressive.
Lemon (three leaf leaves)
Lemon verbena is very different in its appearance from the medicinal. Its thin and very long branches have sharp, narrow and oblong leaves. Unlike previous species, the leaves of this verbena, like the flowers, are very rare and not numerous. Harvested twice a year (June and end of August).
Description:
- reaches up to 2 m in height;
- rarely deciduous but lush shrub;
- snow-white flowers with a pink tint;
- gives off a pleasant lemon scent.
Note! If you pick and rub the leaf, you can hear how the verbena smells like lemon, and if you try the juice that is released, you will smell acid in your mouth.
Canadian
A feature of this shrub is its long-term flowering. Due to the cold resistance of verbena, perennials can bloom until early November. It grows a small size of 20-30 cm in height and has pink and white flowers. To grow at home, the conditions where verbena grows must be met:
- bright, open glade;
- watering once a week.
Canadian
Tough
Rigid verbena has very dense and rough leaves resembling sandpaper. The leaves have indented veins and are incised in a dull green color 5-7 cm long. An inflorescence of ears, consisting of the main and two spikelets on the sides. Rigid verbena grows like a perennial or annual depending on location.
Chemical composition and pharmacological properties
Thanks to scientific research, a rich chemical composition has been identified. Verbena is saturated with micro and macro elements, vitamins and essential oils, as well as:
- steroids (sitosterols);
- tannin;
- hastatoside;
- tannins;
- ascorbic acid is mainly found in the deciduous part of the plant.
For your information! There are more than 200 types of verbena, but only one - medicinal - is used in medicine.
Due to the presence of verbenamine in the composition of the plant has medicinal and pharmacological properties:
- diaphoretic and anti-inflammatory;
- antiseptic and healing;
- anti-febrile and antipyretic;
- normalizes the exchange;
- choleretic;
- anti-allergenic.
Glycosides in Verbena:
- work as antioxidants;
- activate the immune system;
- used as a prophylactic for varicose veins and thrombophlebitis;
- calm the nervous system in case of sleep disturbances, excessive irritability, chronic fatigue.
Prescriptions and contraindications
How to make an infusion of verbena officinalis: 3 tbsp. tablespoons of chopped dried verbena pour 0.5 liters of boiled water (more than 90 ° C) and leave for 3-4 hours. Then strain through gauze or dense chintz. Use in a warm form externally (as a lotion).
How to prepare a mouthwash infusion: in 200 ml of boiling water add 1 tbsp. teaspoon of crushed plants, insist 50-60 minutes. Gargle every 2-3 hours daily until symptoms disappear completely. The same solution can be taken orally at 80-90 ml in 30 minutes. 3-4 times a day before meals (with lethargy, fatigue).
Important! To enhance the diaphoretic effect, the broth should be taken in a warm form with jam or honey.
Contraindicated and may have harmful effects for pregnant women and children.
Legends, myths, beliefs
There are a huge number of legends and beliefs about this magical flower. The beneficial properties of verbena is also in non-traditional applications.
From ancient times, ancestors knew what kind of verbena grass was, believed: it would save many troubles and evils, and help to reveal the gift of clairvoyance. To protect, they created amulets, incense, or simply dried the plant in bags, and then hung it on a thread.
In magic, it is also relevant:
- having sat at the house, the owner attracts prosperity into it;
- fortunetellers believe that the smell of verbena is similar to some aromas of aphrodisiacs;
- on the neck a verbena amulet protects from the evil eye;
- and it helps sorcerers to deprive the rival of the gift of clairvoyance.
Ordinary, as it seems at first glance, grass, but is considered sacred. And this is true: it will protect, improve health. What kind of plant is verbena? This is a real amulet and a talisman, and, in addition, a beautiful and colorful flower.
