Veronica

Other Names

Cardia officinalisCarvalhinhaChá-da-europaCommon GypsyweedCommon SpeedwellDobry rozrazEchter EhrenpreisEhrenpreiskrautGypsy WeedGypsyweedHeath SpeedwellHerbe aux LadresHierba de la triacaNorheinPaul's BetonyRua-dos-leprososSpeedwellTe de EspañaTé de EuropaTe de riberaThé d'EuropeThé du NordTriacaVerónicaVerónica comúnVeronica HerbVerónica machoVeronica officinalisVeronica officinarumVerónica oficinalVeronica spadanaVeronica vulgarisVerónica-das-boticasVerónica-das-farmáciasVeronicae HerbaVéroniqueVéronique MâleVéronique OfficinaleVinagra

Synopsis

Veronica (Veronica officinalis L.) — Encyclopedic Reference

1. Identity

Botanical and Chemical Names

The genus Veronica L. is the largest genus of the Plantaginaceae family, with about 500 species widespread over most of the Northern Hemisphere and in many parts of the Southern Hemisphere; it presents high ecological diversity, with species growing in aquatic to dry steppe habitats from sea level to high alpine regions. The primary medicinal species is Veronica officinalis L. Popularly known as common veronica, speedwell, common gypsyweed, and Paul's betony, it is the species generally used for herbal remedies. The epithet officinalis — a conventional Latin designation for plants with recognized medicinal utility — signals its longstanding place in the apothecary tradition. The genus was formerly placed in the Scrophulariaceae family; some species have been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of influenza, respiratory diseases, hemoptysis, laryngopharyngitis, cough, hernia, cancer, edema, and wounds.

Other medically relevant species within the genus include V. chamaedrys L. (germander speedwell), V. beccabunga L. (brooklime), V. spicata L. (spiked speedwell), V. teucrium L., V. anagallis-aquatica L. (water speedwell), V. orchidea Crantz, V. persica Poir., and V. polita Fr., among others. This article focuses predominantly on V. officinalis, the species with the most extensive European ethnopharmacological record and phytochemical characterization, noting relevant data from congeners where directly applicable.

Natural Source and Morphology

Veronica officinalis is native to Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa. This perennial herb grows up to 30 cm tall, with stoloniferous stems that form mats. Leaves are opposite, oval to lanceolate, 1–3 cm long, slightly serrated at edges. Flowers are pale blue, arranged in slender spikes. It is typically found in meadows, forest clearings, and roadside verges across Europe and parts of Asia.

Parts Used and Common Preparations

Traditionally, its leaves, flowers, and stems have been used for infusions, decoctions, and poultices. Folk healers used infusions and decoctions made from its aerial parts to soothe respiratory ailments; externally, speedwell was used in poultices and washes for skin irritations, minor wounds, and ulcers. In modern commercial contexts, V. officinalis is available as dried whole herb, standardized hydroalcoholic extracts, tinctures, and topical preparations. Though it has been an ingredient for alcoholic beverages throughout history, it is nowadays predominantly used in herbal remedies due to its medicinal value.

2. Traditional and Historical Use

Europe — Medieval and Early Modern Periods

Originally from Europe and West Asia, the veronica plant was used as a tea and health tonic in England approximately 500 years ago. Veronica officinalis's story goes back to at least the 12th century, when Benedictine monks in England cultivated it in herb gardens. It appears in Hildegard von Bingen's Physica (1150s) under the name "Veronica." Folk healers used it for coughs, bronchitis, and mild digestive complaints — particularly in Scotland and Ireland, where it was brewed into teas or steeped in mead.

In the Valdesi valley of Italy, in the poorer villages, Veronica species are traditionally used as an inexpensive substitute for imported teas, and this has been posed as an explanation of the modern use of Veronica species in recreational teas. In some parts of Europe (France), the plant is used as a tea substitute called "Europe tea" and is considered a medicinal herb. In Europe, V. officinalis is the best-known and most commonly used species. The main ethnopharmacological indications for V. officinalis are inflammatory conditions, rheumatism, stomach ulcers, respiratory ailments, and nervous, cardiovascular, and metabolic system disorders.

By the Victorian era, Veronica officinalis was listed in the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) as a diaphoretic and mild expectorant.

Romanian and Balkan Folk Medicine

According to Romanian folk medicine, Veronica officinalis was used for kidney diseases, cough and catarrh, and wound healing purposes. In Romanian folk medicine, it has been used for kidney diseases, cough, and catarrh, and was known for its wound-healing properties and its indication in lung diseases and hypercholesterolemia.

In Balkan traditional medicine, V. officinalis is used for treating liver disease, eczema, ulceration, snakebites, wound healing, and skin lesions. For example, V. officinalis, V. beccabunga, and V. spicata have been used in the traditional medicine of Balkan people for treating conditions such as liver, spleen, kidney, and urinary bladder diseases; in the healing of snake stings, wounds, skin eruption, eczema, and ulcers; and as expectorants for cough and throat rinsing.

Turkish Folk Medicine

There are around 79 Veronica species in Turkish flora, 26 of which are endemic. Different parts of Veronica species are used as a diuretic, for wound healing, and against rheumatic pains in Turkish folk medicine. The genus Veronica, widely distributed in Europe and Asia, especially in the Mediterranean area, is represented by 79 species in Turkey. Some of the Veronica species are used as diuretic and for wound healing in traditional Turkish medicine.

Traditional Chinese and Mongolian Medicine

In traditional Chinese medicine, V. anagallis-aquatica is used for the treatment of influenza, hemoptysis, laryngopharyngitis, and hernia. V. undulata Wall., as recorded in Chinese traditional medicine sources, has blood-activating and pain-relieving effects. Clinically, it is employed in the treatment of conditions such as hemoptysis, stomach pain, rheumatic pain, dysmenorrhea, carbuncles, and swelling. In traditional Mongolian medicine, Veronica with insect galls is used clinically to treat edema and arthralgia due to its diuretic and edema-reducing effects.

Diuretic, Diaphoretic, and "Blood-Purifying" Uses

Some of the Veronica species, like V. officinalis, have a long history of medicinal use as diuretic and diaphoretic agents. Veronica species are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of rheumatism, hemoptysis, laryngopharyngitis, hernia, and lung and respiratory diseases (e.g., against cough or as an expectorant). They also have properties such as antiscorbutic and diuretic, as well as wound healing.

Across traditions, preparations were predominantly aqueous (teas and decoctions from the dried aerial parts) or hydroalcoholic (tinctures). Poultices and topical washes were employed for skin and wound indications.

3. Key Constituents and Active Compounds

Iridoid Glycosides

Veronica species represent a valuable source of biologically active secondary metabolites, including iridoid glycosides and phenolic compounds. The iridoid glycoside fraction is considered the principal chemotaxonomic marker of the genus. The genus is rather homogeneous with regard to the distribution of iridoid glucosides, with aucubin and/or catalpol as well as 6-O-esters of catalpol being universally present in 10 of the 12 subgenera for which data exist.

The main iridoids and iridoid-phenolic constituents of extracts from V. officinalis were catalpol, amphicoside, and verproside, together with alpinoside, aucubin, 6-O-veratroylcatalpol, and verminoside. Phytochemical analysis identified verproside and verminoside as the most abundant iridoid glycosides in V. officinalis extracts.

The genus Veronica is well known for its rich content of iridoid glycosides, particularly aucubin and catalpol derivatives, which exhibit a diverse range of esterified forms. Extensive research on the chemical constituents of this genus has resulted in phytochemists isolating and identifying over 260 compounds from its plants, including iridoid glycosides, p-phenylethanoside, and flavonoids.

Phenolic Acids and Flavonoids

The main phenolic compounds characterized in V. officinalis L. were p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, luteolin, apigenin, quercitrin, hispidulin, quercetin, and the sterol β-sitosterol. Hispidulin, eupatorin, and eupatilin were detected for the first time in the Veronica genus.

Regarding phenolic acids, ferulic acid (31.35 ± 0.25 μg/g dry weight plant material) was the most abundant compound in V. officinalis extract, as determined by LC/MS analysis. All analyzed species contained both caffeic and chlorogenic acids, where the richest source of caffeic acid was V. officinalis.

Phenylethanoid Glycosides

Phenylethanoid glycosides — including verbascoside (also called acteoside) — are additional phenolic constituents documented in several Veronica species. Verbascoside (an isolated compound from V. officinalis) showed higher free radical inhibition activity (IC₅₀ value of 36.24 ± 1.81 μg/mL) but weaker collagen synthesis activity in in vitro testing.

Phytosterols

Representatives of the Veronica genus were never previously investigated regarding their content in phytosterols until the study by Mocan et al. (2015). That work confirmed the presence of β-sitosterol as a principal phytosterol component, as identified by LC/MS techniques.

4. Established Mechanisms of Action

NF-κB Pathway Inhibition and Anti-inflammatory Action

V. officinalis extract rich in iridoid glycosides (verproside and verminoside) inhibited pro-inflammatory mediators via the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway in a human lung cell line. Specifically, the extract inhibits gene and protein expression of the chemokine eotaxin in A549 lung epithelial cells, which is essential for the recruitment of inflammatory-associated cells in lung diseases. Furthermore, release of the inflammatory mediator PGE₂ was diminished through inhibition of COX-2 expression via the NF-κB signaling pathway in TNF-α-activated A549 cells.

Results showed that the V. officinalis extract at 40 to 160 μg/mL inhibited in a dose-dependent manner the release of the main pro-inflammatory mediators IL-6 and IL-8, prostaglandin E₂, and eotaxin.

Lipoxygenase and COX-1 Inhibition

Aqueous-acetone extracts of V. teucrium, V. jacquinii, and V. urticifolia were tested for their effect on calcium ionophore-stimulated platelets. COX-1 and its metabolite PGE₂ were inhibited by V. urticifolia extract, while the 12-lipoxygenase enzyme was blocked only by the V. jacquinii extract (IC₅₀ = 1.072 mg/mL).

Radical Scavenging and Antioxidant Activity

The antioxidant activity was evaluated by the ORAC assay, which measures scavenging activity against peroxy radicals. Several iridoid compounds from Veronica peregrina (including minecoside, specioside, amphicoside, and 6-O-cis-p-coumaroyl catalpol) exhibited potent antioxidant activity, while others showed activity similar to trolox.

Nitric Oxide Suppression and Macrophage-Mediated Activity

Harput et al. (2002) showed that the methanolic extracts of V. cymbalaria, V. hederifolia, V. pectinata var. glandulosa, V. persica, and V. polita had an inhibitory activity on NO release in LPS-stimulated macrophages and cytotoxic activity against KB epidermoid carcinoma and B16 melanoma cells.

Cytostatic and Cytotoxic Effects

Veronica species are rich in iridoid glucosides, mainly aucubin, catalpol, and benzoic and cinnamic acid esters of catalpol. Saracoglu and Harput (2012) showed that some iridoid glucosides exhibited cytostatic and cytotoxic activities on human and murine cancer cell lines, with verminoside being the most cytotoxic compound. The primary bioactive constituents of V. incana (verproside, catalposide, 6-vanilloylcatalpol, and 6-O-isovanilloylcatalpol) exhibit significant anti-inflammatory effects. Catalpol-type iridoid glycosides are also active against ovarian, breast, bladder, and colorectal cancers in laboratory models.

5. Scientific Evidence by Area of Use

5.1 Respiratory Conditions (Cough, Asthma, Lung Inflammation)

Traditional background: Extracts from Veronica officinalis L. are traditionally used for the treatment of lung diseases; however, the effective compounds and the mode of action were for a long time unknown.

In vitro evidence: The most detailed mechanistic work was published in 2013 in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology. Researchers analyzed the effects of a standardized Veronica extract on gene expression and signalling protein production associated with the development of inflammatory lung diseases. The degranulation capacity of primary mast cells, as well as gene expression and release of inflammatory mediators from human lung epithelial cells (A549 cells), were analyzed in relation to the synthetic drugs azelastine and dexamethasone. Gene and protein expression of cyclooxygenase-2 were investigated by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and western blotting. The study demonstrated that V. officinalis has a small influence on the degranulation capacity of mast cells but rather inhibits gene and protein expression of the chemokine eotaxin in A549 lung epithelial cells. Furthermore, release of the inflammatory mediator PGE₂ was diminished through inhibition of COX-2 expression via the NF-κB signaling pathway in TNF-α-activated A549 cells.

Evidence strength: These results contribute to explaining the observed anti-inflammatory effects of V. officinalis extract at a molecular level. However, its clinical potency has first to be proven in animals and subsequently in clinical trials. As of the current literature reviewed, no controlled human clinical trials specifically examining V. officinalis for respiratory conditions have been published in indexed peer-reviewed journals. Evidence remains at the in vitro cell-line stage.

5.2 Inflammation and Rheumatism

In vitro and preclinical evidence: Extracts of Veronica plants show antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, scolicidal, and anti-cancer activities, as well as inhibitory potential on acetylcholinesterase, tyrosinase, lipoxygenase, and xanthine oxidase. An acute-toxicity and pharmacological study of dry extract of V. officinalis found that the studied extract belongs to practically non-toxic substances (class V toxicity); under the conditions of carrageenan-induced edema, the dry extract showed the most expressive anti-exudative activity at 150 mg/kg, slightly behind the reference drug diclofenac sodium.

Evidence strength: Anti-inflammatory evidence is currently confined to in vitro cell and enzyme assays, and a small number of animal models. No published randomized controlled trials in humans evaluating V. officinalis for rheumatic or other inflammatory conditions were identified in the peer-reviewed literature.

5.3 Antioxidant Activity

V. officinalis and V. orchidea extracts presented similar antioxidant capacities related to their phenolic content. The ethanolic extract of V. officinalis showed good antioxidant activity against DPPH free radicals (IC₅₀ = 103.50 μg/mL) and also exhibited a significant effect on collagen synthesis activity without cytotoxicity in fibroblast cells. These measurements are in vitro assays and cannot be directly extrapolated to human bioavailability or clinical benefit. Further studies are necessary in order to elucidate the mechanisms of in vivo antioxidant action, bioavailability, and the involved metabolic pathways.

5.4 Skin Health and Anti-wrinkle Activity

Human clinical evidence: One small placebo-controlled clinical study examined a topical cream formulation containing V. officinalis ethanolic extract. Clinical anti-wrinkle activity was performed on female subjects in a placebo-controlled trial. Treatment with the formulated cream (Scoti-Speedwell) for 56 days significantly reduced the percentage of wrinkle area and length by 18.0% and 16.05%, respectively. The V. officinalis extract-containing product (Scoti-Speedwell™) was regarded as a potent anti-wrinkle agent in human skin.

In a placebo-controlled trial on women, treatment with the formulated cream (Scoti-Speedwell) for 56 days significantly resulted in anti-wrinkle activity.

Evidence strength: This represents the most direct human evidence available for any use of V. officinalis. However, the study was small and limited to a single cosmetic outcome (wrinkle reduction). Independent replication is lacking.

5.5 Antimicrobial Activity

Concerning the antimicrobial potential of the investigated species, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Listeria ivanovii were the most sensitive strains, with MIC values between 3.9 and 15.62 mg/mL. V. teucrium and V. orchidea presented higher activity (MIC = 31.25 mg/mL and MBC = 62.5 mg/mL) than V. officinalis (MIC and MBC of 62.5 mg/mL) against anaerobic bacterial strains, with the most sensitive strain being Peptostreptococcus anaerobius. Veronica species exhibit a wide spectrum of biological activities, including antimicrobial and antioxidant. Some studies suggest that some Veronica extracts can inhibit foodborne pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes, but only a few were performed in food systems.

Evidence strength: All antimicrobial data are from in vitro microbroth dilution assays. The MIC values reported (several mg/mL) are relatively high compared to standard antibiotics, limiting translational relevance. No clinical studies exist.

5.6 Anticancer and Cytotoxic Activity

A review of the literature highlights that Veronica plants have good antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer abilities, mainly related to the presence of iridoid glucosides and phenolic constituents. Lu and co-authors reported that isolated compounds from V. ciliata showed anti-hepatocarcinoma activities against HepG2 liver hepatocellular carcinoma cells, which could be associated with antioxidant activity.

Studies on essential oils and hydrosols of six Veronica species (including V. officinalis) showed that hydrosols of all tested species have a stronger antiproliferative effect on MDA-MD-231 and T24 cell lines than essential oil.

Evidence strength: All anticancer data are preclinical — derived from cell lines (in vitro) and, in some cases, animal models. Regardless of widespread use, mostly as diuretics, wound-healing remedies, and in medical treatment of cancer and respiratory diseases, there is an absence of physiological evidence to approve any claim of therapeutic values for Veronica species. No human clinical trials on oncology applications were identified.

5.7 Digestive and Hepatic Uses

Across multiple folk medicine traditions, the herb was used for gastrointestinal tract issues, including stomach pain, indigestion, and diarrhea. It is described as useful for treating hemorrhage, gastric ulcer, infections, and diseases related to macrophage-mediated inflammatory disorders, as illustrated in Korean traditional medicine. Hepatoprotective properties have been noted for aucubin — an iridoid present across the genus — based on in vitro and animal pharmacology, though no dedicated clinical studies on V. officinalis for liver conditions have been indexed.

6. Body Systems and Health Areas Associated with Veronica

Respiratory system: Veronica species are used in traditional medicine for lung and respiratory diseases (e.g., against cough or as an expectorant). In vitro NF-κB and eotaxin inhibition in human lung epithelial cells provides a mechanistic hypothesis.
Musculoskeletal system: Aerial parts of Veronica species are used as traditional medicine for the treatment of various inflammatory conditions, including rheumatism.
Urinary system: Some of the Veronica species, like V. officinalis, have a long history of medicinal use as diuretic and diaphoretic agents.
Skin and wound healing: Due to its antioxidant and antimicrobial actions, speedwell has been traditionally applied topically in order to disinfect wounds, speed up healing, and calm skin irritations. The only available human trial involved a topical anti-wrinkle cream formulation.
Gastrointestinal system: Speedwell tea was often consumed to support digestive health and address complaints like indigestion and diarrhea, showcasing its astringent and calming nature.
Immune and inflammatory modulation: Research on modern activity indicates that this genus exhibits anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-tumor, in vitro coagulation, antitussive, and liver-protective effects.

7. Dosage Forms and Reported Dosages

No standardized therapeutic dosage for V. officinalis has been established by any major pharmacopeial body (EMA, ESCOP, or Commission E) as of the current literature. The following dosage forms and quantities appear in published sources or traditional use documentation:

Herbal infusion (tea): 1–2 teaspoons (2–4 g) of dried herb steeped in 250 mL hot water for 10 minutes, 2–3 times daily.
Tincture: 1:5 (45% alcohol): 20–30 drops in water, 2–3 times per day.
Standardized ethanolic extract (in vitro studies): Concentrations of 40 to 160 μg/mL were used in A549 cell-line experiments, where the extract inhibited IL-6, IL-8, PGE₂, and eotaxin release in a dose-dependent manner.
Dry extract (animal study): In a carrageenan-edema model, 150 mg/kg of dry extract showed the most expressive anti-exudative activity.
Topical cream (clinical study): Treatment with the formulated cream (Scoti-Speedwell) was applied for 56 days, resulting in reduction of wrinkle area and length in a placebo-controlled trial. The exact concentration of extract in the cream formulation was not specified in the publicly available summary data.

8. Safety Considerations

Acute Toxicity

A study devoted to the research of acute toxicity and pharmacological activity of dry extract of V. officinalis found that the studied extract belongs to practically non-toxic substances (class V of toxicity according to the common classification by K. K. Sydorov considering route of administration). Class V in this system indicates very low acute toxicity.

Product Adulteration and Quality

A major, independently verified safety and quality concern in commercially sold V. officinalis products is widespread adulteration. A 2017 study published in Frontiers in Pharmacology (PMC5474480) used DNA metabarcoding and HPLC-MS to authenticate sixteen V. officinalis herbal products. DNA metabarcoding detected V. officinalis in only 15% of the products, whereas it detected V. chamaedrys in 62% of the products. The results confirmed that none of the herbal products contained exactly the species listed on the label, and all included substitutes, contaminants, or fillers.

While V. officinalis has a long history of use in European traditional medicine, no specified control tests are available either to establish the quality of derived herbal products or for the discrimination of its most common substitute, V. chamaedrys L. (germander speedwell). This gap in standardization represents a meaningful practical safety issue, as the phytochemical profile and biological activities of substitute species may differ from the labeled plant.

Absence of Long-term Safety Data

The results of phytochemical and bioactivity studies bring new perspectives for further pharmaceutical and nutraceutical development of Veronica species; however, further studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanisms of in vivo antioxidant action, bioavailability, and the involved metabolic pathways. No published long-term human safety or toxicology studies for oral V. officinalis supplementation were identified in the indexed literature.

Interactions

No specific herb-drug interaction studies for V. officinalis have been published in indexed peer-reviewed sources. The theoretical basis for potential interactions — for instance, via inhibition of COX-2 or modulation of NF-κB — remains speculative and has not been characterized in pharmacokinetic or clinical studies.

9. Overall Evidence Assessment

The review of literature highlights that Veronica plants have good antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer abilities. The antioxidant properties have been determined through different in vitro and in vivo studies. Veronica plants also show interesting antimicrobial effects, and most studies focus on effects against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including foodborne pathogens. The anti-inflammatory studies agree with the use of Veronica remedies for anti-inflammatory medical treatments.

Nevertheless, the overall clinical evidence base for V. officinalis as a therapeutic supplement remains limited. The vast majority of published work consists of in vitro assays (cell lines, enzyme inhibition, DPPH/ORAC radical scavenging) and a smaller number of animal experiments. Only one small human clinical trial — a placebo-controlled skin cream study — has been identified in the indexed literature. Rigorous dose-finding, pharmacokinetic, and efficacy trials in human populations are absent for all claimed therapeutic uses. Based on the accumulated knowledge, Veronica plants are potential sources of nutraceuticals and functional ingredients with a wide spectrum of bioactivities, but this potential has not yet been translated into validated clinical applications.

References

Health Conditions

Health conditions that Veronica may help support.

No conditions available.

Body Systems

Body systems that Veronica may help support.

No body systems available.