Better than a crucifix!
All along the trail today I noticed these slender purple spikes, adorned with candelabra—shaped panicles blossoming around a central stalk. Blue vervain (verbena hastata) florets bloom from the bottom to the top of the stalk with only a few open at a time
Vervain is a potent herb and well-known as a vampire's weakness. If a vampire makes physical contact with vervain in any form, it will burn them. When ingested it causes a vampire to become weak and feverish.
For living humans, vervain contains 20 beneficial plant compounds, including iridoid glycosides, flavonoids, and triterpenoids and is purported to possess anti-tumor and anti-inflammation effects, protect nerve cells and reduce anxiety. Credited with healthful properties that cure everything from headaches to snakebites, vervain has been has long been beset with sacred associations and used in religious rituals since the time of the Druids.
“Hallowed be thou, Vervain, As thou growest on the ground, For in the Mount of Calvary There thou wast first found.”
Ancient incantation for picking vervain
This “enchanter’s plant” is an adaptogenic herb which inspires the body to be more of its natural best self. Blue Vervain seems to be the black magic of herbs and, if taken before sleep, it is said you will wake up joyful and inspired. We all might enjoy a little more of this bitter purple in our lives.
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