Evidence supporting the use of: Vervain
For the health condition: Indigestion
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Vervain (genus Verbena, commonly Verbena officinalis) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in Europe and parts of Asia. Historical texts and herbal compendia describe vervain as a remedy for a variety of ailments, including digestive issues such as indigestion, dyspepsia, and bloating. Herbalists and practitioners of folk medicine have often recommended vervain as a bitter tonic, believed to stimulate digestion and alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort.
The basis for its traditional use lies in the plant's content of compounds like iridoid glycosides (notably verbenalin), flavonoids, and essential oils, which are thought to possess mild antispasmodic and carminative effects. These properties are believed to help relax smooth muscle in the digestive tract and promote bile secretion, thus supporting digestion according to traditional beliefs.
However, scientific validation for these effects is limited. Modern clinical studies specifically investigating vervain’s efficacy for indigestion are lacking. Most evidence remains anecdotal or derived from animal studies, which are not sufficient to firmly establish efficacy or safety. While some in vitro and animal research suggests possible spasmolytic and anti-inflammatory effects, these findings have not been translated into high-quality human trials. Therefore, while vervain's use for indigestion is well-supported by tradition, its effectiveness from a scientific standpoint remains uncertain.
Other ingredients used for Indigestion
cutchAcid protease
Activated charcoal
Allspice
Aloe vera
alpha-galactosidase
amylase
green chiretta
apple
apricot
artichoke
bamboo
benegut perilla (proprietary)
betel
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium infantis
bifidobacterium longum
black pepper
radish
rice
calcium
cassia bark
chamomile
chen pi
chloride
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
cucumber
turmeric
curcumin
dandelion
melon
exo-peptidase
fennel
fenugreek
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
gentian root
ginger
glucomannan
green banana
HCL
quassia
jujube
kudzu
lactobacillus gasseri
lactobacillus lactis
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
licorice root
lipase
liquid liver fractions
lovage
marshmallow
methylmethionine sulfonium chloride (vitamin U)
mint
orange
oregon grape
ox bile
pancreatin
papain
Peppermint
pepsin
plum fruit
psyllium
quail egg
rhubarb root
schizonepeta
slippery elm bark
spearmint leaf
watermelon
xylanase
bentonite
cascara sagrada
oryza
tangerine
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
capsicum
Indian bael
alpinia galangal
clerodendrum indicum
ferula assafoetida
hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
anise
punarnava
holarrhena antidysenterica
fumaria parviflora
blessed thistle
yarrow
bile salt
prickly ash
elecampane
root tuber
chrysanthemum
juniper berries
flowering quince
dogwood
dioscorea
sweetgums
queen of the meadow
caraway
anemarrhena asphodeloides
peach
wood betony
horehound
Sichuan pepper
Alginic acid
sea salt
Alcohol
Avens
Apple Cider Vinegar
Actinidin
Agastache
Ambergris
Angelica
Agrimony
Amomum
Asarum heterotropoides
Alchemilla
Asafoetida
Agarwood
American Liverleaf
Appleblossom Cassia
Asam gelugor
Angostura
Arrowroot
Areca
Agrimonia pilosa
Antifoam agent
Amor seco
Aniseed myrtle
Arani
Arisaema
Asarum sieboldii
Atractylone
Betony
Buttermilk
Butter
Blue Flag
Baliospermum
Blackthorn
Broussonetia
Bicarbonate
Bayleaf
Belleric myrobalan
Blackbrush
Bistort
Big Quaking Grass
Bougainvillea
Bael
Butternut
boldo
Black Gram
Bile
black salt
Bombax
Buddha's Hand
Borassus aethiopum
Bitter principals
banana
Bassia scoparia
Belamcanda
Bottle gourd
Cumin
Centaury
Carqueja
Chervil
Coriander
Chive
Cape Aloe
Centaurium erythraea
Citron
Cantaloupe
Chlorophytum
Carvone
Cymbopogon Martini
Coca
Campylandra fimbriata
Chenopodium
Colombo
Copalchi
Cubeb
Carob
Chirata
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Carlina
Calamus
Chestnut
Colocynth
cola nut
Clerodendrum indicum
Dense Fruit Dittany
Dextrin
Dragonhead
Dill
Dianthrone
Dolichos
Dichrostachys glomerata
English Horsemint
Enzyme Blend
Elephant's Head
Fig
Fumitory
Flat-stem milk-vetch
Fernbush
False Calumba
Four leaved grass
Goldthread
Gentian
Gentianella alborosea
Guaiac
Gentianella amarella
Gentianopsis barbata
Grains of Paradise
Garden Cress
Gentiana calycosa
Glucofrangulin
Galbanum
Gentiana manshurica
Heartsease
Himalayan Salt
Hygrophila
Horsemint
Jicama
Jurubeba
Jalap
Javanese Long Pepper
Khella
Konjac
Kukicha
Kola Nut
Karaya Gum
Kefir
Kuding tea
lemon balm
Lime
Large-leaf Gentian
Lactobacillus kefiri
Lesser speargrass
Lilium polyphyllum
Linden
Lycopodium
Labrador Tea
Large-Leaved Linden
Lysimachia
Molasses
Mentha haplocalyx
Mandarin
Marjoram
Mucilage
Mace
Malt
Mountain mahogany
Mesquite
Microtea debilis
Morning Glory
Meadowsweet
Nardostachys
Natsudaidai
Neral
Oroxylum indicum
Orchis latifolia
Orris
Operculina turpethum
Osmanthus
Parsnip
Piperine
Palmyra
Piper chaba
Pulsatilla
Phosphate Salt
Probiotics
Piper retrofractum
Polydimethylsiloxane
Pointed gourd
Prickly Pear Cactus
Polygonatum
Pimpinella
Patrinia
Potash
Quince
Rue
Rubus
Rose
Rhamnus Nakaharai
Rhubarb
Stephania root
Sago Palm
Spanish Needle
Self-Heal
Southernwood
Shen Qu
Slippery Elm
Sweet Woodruff
Savory
Squash
Scabrous Gentian
Sterculia
Scirpus
Silybum
Servicetree
Sassafras
Sword Bean
Sedanenolide
Sweet Orange alcohol
Taraxacin
Traveler's Joy
Tarragon
Tansy
Tiger Nut
Taka amylase
Taraxol
Vervain
Vinegar
Viburnum
Verbena
Veronica
Vanilla
Vidanga
Wax Gourd
Weak Jumby Pepper
Winter Begonia
Winter Savory
Yuzu
Yellow Nut Sedge
Zapilopatle Bean
Zingerone
Other health conditions supported by Vervain
AnxietyAnxiety Disorders
Appetite (deficient)
Asthma
Backache
Bites and Stings
Bleeding (external)
Burns and Scalds
Cold Sores
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (lymphatic)
Congestion (sinus)
Cuts
Depression
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Ear Infection or Earache
Emotional Sensitivity
Fever
Glands (swollen lymph)
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Indigestion
Insomnia
Itching
Laryngitis
Menopause
Nausea and Vomiting
Nervousness
Pain (general remedies for)
PMS (general)
PMS Type A
PMS Type C