Verbena or Vervain is historically associated with giving magical powers to sorcerers and witches.

Verbena Verbena has been used as a medicinal herb to treat nervous problems and insomnia. The herb has also been described as an aphrodisiac, said to “secure the favor of the ladies”. It is of very old usage as a digestive and sedative nightcap. It has also been associated with Chinese medicine. The Pawnee Native Americans used Vervain to improve their dreams. Verbena is known as an herb of inspiration long used by poets and writers.

Verbena is a nice addition to any Herb Garden.

Verbena can be of an Annual or perennial Plant Type:

Herb Type: Verbena is a blooming annual or perennial herb that possesses a long bloom season plus heat tolerance. Flower color ranges across the spectrum from white to pink, red, lavender, blue and purple. Trim back verbena once or twice in mid summer to cause blooming from spring until just before the first fall frost!
Perennial Verbena such as Lemon Verbena can be short lived, but their vigor and heavy flowering make up for lack of longevity. Plan to replace them after two or three years. Most of the perennial verbenas are well adapted to growing in higher heat and humidity.
Annual Verbena is popular because the verbena flowers quickly its first season in the herb garden. Annual verbenas raised from seed do poorly in the hot, humid summer climates of the south and Midwest. Caution is advised because some species of verbena plants may reseed and grow in your herb garden, becoming an unwanted pest.
Verbenas vary considerably in size: The ground-skimming and trailing verbena may reach 1 foot or less in height and spread from 2 to 5 feet wide. Verbena rigida, also known as Sandpaper verbena, only reaches 12 to 24 inches tall, while Verbena bonariensis can reach a height of 5 feet tall, and only a few feet in width.

Best Growing Zones for growing verbena:

USDA Plant Growing Zones: Zone 4 to 8, depending on species.

Best Soil Type for growing verbena:

Verbena seems to grow best in direct sunlight in moist loamy soil of 2.5 to 3.0% organic matter.
Established Verbena officinalis requires an inch of rain per week, less will diminish the bloom and growth rate. When it is required, provide additional moisture while avoiding excess soil moisture.

Propagation of verbena and growing verbena is not as difficult as some herbs:

Stem cuttings seem to be the best method of propagating Verbena.
If the verbena flowers fade in mid-season, trim the herb back 25% to stimulate new growth. An application of a good general-purpose fertilizer will stimulate a fresh bloom within 2 to 3 weeks.

Vervain Tea, or verbena tea:

Vervain can be crushed or chopped and added to boiling water which in turn makes tea. The tea has been used as an herbal medicine for insomnia and for "typical daytime ailments." It looks to me as though, through the years Verbena tea or Vervain tea has been used as Aspirin has been used in more modern times.
As with any recipe for an herbal medicine, the tea should be taken at your own risk. This Publisher is not recommending the use of Verbena or Vervain tea although my thoughts are that it is probably as safe, or safer than what we take now for the same ailments.

Verbena tea To help calm and relax: Try this relaxing Tea!

1 1/2 oz dried Vervain leaves
1 oz Valerian root
½ oz Juniper or Devils Hoof

Allow to steep for 20 minutes, use hot water only, not yet boiling.

Boiling water will destroy the beneficial active ingredient in the Verbena. Strain and then drink 20 minutes before bedtime.

To help you sleep:

1 1/2 oz dried Vervain leaves
1 oz Chamomile
½ oz Spearmint

Mix the herbs all and add to 1 cup boiling water. Steep 8 minutes, strain and sip.

Used as a Fever Reducer:

2 tsp dried Catnip
1 tsp dry Vervain

Pour 2 cups boiling water over the mix of herbs. Steep for 10 minutes and strain and then drink.