Traditional Use: Used since ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman times as a sacred herb, nervine tonic, and liver remedy; traditionally prescribed for nervous exhaustion, anxiety, depression, tension headaches, insomnia, liver and gallbladder complaints, and as a diaphoretic and antispasmodic for fevers and menstrual irregularity.
Potential Benefits: Iridoid glycosides (verbenalin, hastatoside) and flavonoids deliver nervine, antispasmodic, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and mild sedative effects; research supports anxiolytic activity, liver and gallbladder stimulation, neuroprotective properties, and meaningful relief of tension-related headaches and nervous exhaustion.
Warnings: Avoid in pregnancy due to uterotonic and emmenagogue activity — one of its traditional uses was to stimulate labor; may potentiate sedative and antihypertensive medications; high doses may cause nausea and vomiting; avoid in hypothyroidism as iridoid glycosides may mildly suppress thyroid function; generally very safe at standard therapeutic doses in healthy adults.
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