vervain

plural vervains · alternative obsolete vervaine · alternative obsolete vervein · alternative obsolete verveine

1. countableuncountableAny herbaceous plant in the genus Verbena especially if used for medicinal purposes, primarily Verbena officinalis, common in Europe and formerly held to have medicinal properties.

   The candlesticks were surrounded by wreaths of vervain[.]

   1936, Rollo Ahmed, The Black Art, London: Long, page 147

   3 more examples

   The Yarrow, where-with-all he stops the wound-made gore: The healing Tutsan then, and Plantan for a sore. And hard by them againe he holy Vervaine finds, Which he about his head that hath the Megrim binds.

   1612, Michael Drayton, Poly-Olbion, song 13 p. 218

   Tobacco and the plant valerian are also considered to be anaphrodisiac in their effects, diminishing sexual inclination. Also vinegar, dried coriander, potassium bromide, cocaine, vervain, acid drinks, lemonade.

   1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page 11

   There were bunches of wild garlic to keep out evil spirits, foxgloves for healing spells and hemlock and vervain for darker magic.

   1971, Richard Carpenter, Catweazle and the Magic Zodiac, Harmondsworth: Puffin Books, page 41