Verbena officinalis

A perennial herb with sparsely-leafed upright stems and pale lilac flowers. It grows to a height of 18 in and prefers to grow in a sheltered position. It is often found growing wild on roadsides, waste ground and in hedgerows.

Vervain is an unscented herb with a slightly bitter taste.

Medicinal: It has a variety of medicinal uses, including being used to treat pleurisy and ulcers, various illnesses linked to the stomach, liver and kidneys, in a poultice to relieve headaches and rheumatic pains, and as a general tonic.

Legends: Vervain was believed to possess magical and aphrodisiac properties and was once widely used in various rites and incantations associated with witchcraft and sorcery.
According to legend, vervain was used on the Mount of Calvary to staunch Christ´s wounds.
Roman soldiers carried vervain to protect them in battle.