At a glance
- Common name
- Vervain
- Botanical name
- Verbena officinalis
- Family
- Verbenaceae
- Parts mentioned in historical records
- Aerial flowering parts
- Traditional correspondences
- Venus; Earth / Water
Historical record
One of the most sacred plants of antiquity, hailed by Greeks as 'Hierobotone' (Holy Plant) and Romans as 'Herba Sacra'. Druids harvested it during Sirius rising without iron tools.
Folklore and mythology
Priests used it to scrub down altars of Jupiter before rituals. Held during negotiations to broker peace between bitter enemies. Worn as a protective amulet against vampire attacks, nightmares, and fever.
Sacred to Hermes/Mercury and Isis. In Christian legend known as 'Herb of the Cross' (Enchanter's Plant), believed to have been applied to Christ's wounds on Mount Calvary to arrest bleeding.
Tradition: Druidic, Roman & Christian Lore Associated figures: Hermes, Isis & Jesus Christ
Druids harvested it when Sirius was in ascension using gold/silver sickles; Romans cleansed Jupiter's stone altars with sprigs; hailed as Herb of the Cross for stopping Christ's bleeding on Calvary.
Held in hand while seeking truce between warring nations; carried to dispel enchantments and prevent vampire predation.
Mystical correspondences
Correspondences vary by tradition and source.
Safety first
Historical and spiritual associations do not establish that Vervain is safe or effective. Do not use this page as instructions for ingesting, smoking, inhaling, or applying Vervain.
For current safety information, check a health authority or ask a qualified clinician or pharmacist, especially during pregnancy or lactation, while taking medication, or with an allergy or health condition.