Organic Blue Vervain Loose Leaf Tea

Organic Blue Vervain Loose Leaf Tea is clean, dried leaves of Verbena hastata, cut for loose-leaf brewing. It carries a rich, earthy, decidedly bitter flavor and is naturally caffeine-free, so it can be poured at any hour. Offered in 4oz, 1lb and 10lb sizes.

At a glance

• Clean dried leaf of Verbena hastata, cut for loose-leaf brewing
• Rich, earthy, decidedly bitter and naturally caffeine-free
• Carries iridoid glycosides (verbenalin, hastatoside), flavonoids, tannins, volatile oil
• Steep 1 teaspoon per cup of boiling water (about 200 degrees F) for 5 to 10 minutes
• Offered in 4oz, 1lb and 10lb

The herb. Blue vervain (Verbena hastata) is a tall North American perennial in the verbena family, Verbenaceae, found in wet meadows across the eastern and central United States and Canada. A cousin of European vervain (Verbena officinalis), sacred to the Romans and Druids, it was brewed by Native American communities as a bitter tea. The bitterness comes from iridoid glycosides, chiefly verbenalin and hastatoside.

What's in it. The leaf carries iridoid glycosides (verbenalin, hastatoside), which give the bracing bitterness, along with flavonoids, tannins that add astringency and body, and a little volatile oil. There is no caffeine.

How to use. Steep 1 teaspoon of leaves in each cup of boiling water (about 200 degrees F) for 5 to 10 minutes, strain and taste. A shorter steep is milder, ten minutes brings out the full bitterness; add honey or lemon if it is strong for you. Because it is caffeine-free, timing does not matter, though its bitter profile makes it a natural after-dinner cup, and many blend it with mint or chamomile.

What to expect. A reflective, earthy cup with a bitter backbone; users describe it as grounding and settling, a tea for winding down, not mild or sweet. For a softer companion, see our Organic California Poppy Loose Leaf Tea.

Safety. Vervain is generally well tolerated at tea strength. Large amounts can cause nausea or vomiting, the signal to cut back. The tannins can reduce iron absorption, so drink it between meals. Vervain has traditionally been avoided in pregnancy as a uterine stimulant, so do not use it if you are pregnant or nursing. Consult a healthcare professional before drinking it regularly if you take any medication, particularly blood-thinning medications or iron supplements.

Ingredients and storage. 100% Dried Blue Vervain Leaves (Verbena hastata). Store sealed in a cool, dry place away from light.

Common questions

• Is blue vervain tea bitter? Yes, noticeably, and a ten-minute steep makes it more so; honey or lemon balances it.
• Is blue vervain the same as lemon verbena? No, lemon verbena is Aloysia citrodora, a citrus-scented shrub, while blue vervain is the bitter North American Verbena hastata.

Disclaimer. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Blue vervain is a traditional botanical, and traditional use does not establish that it will produce any particular result. Consult your healthcare provider before use if you take any medication or have a medical condition. Use at your own risk and keep out of reach of children. Formulated by Healing Herbals, run by a practicing herbalist of 13+ years.