The herb Verbena officinalis with purple flowers may have a strange name, but it also has potential benefits, which may make it a favorite herb for fans of traditional medicine. What are the benefits and potential harms of this herb?

Benefits of pigeon man herb

The herb contains many beneficial plant compounds, including flavonoids, for example, and this plant may offer the following potential benefits as well:

Antitumor properties

Some research conducted on animals and in test tubes indicates that some compounds, in addition to essential oils in the herb, can help prevent the growth and development of tumors, as well as help in the death of cancer cells, but more studies are still needed to be sure.

Less anxiety

The herb can help reduce feelings of anxiety, according to a study conducted on a group of mice, the results showed that the herb extract can help reduce anxiety, and this effect could be due to flavonoids, which may have anti-anxiety properties.

Antibacterial activity

Some research indicates that this plant may help protect against antibiotic-resistant fungi and bacteria.

Where some compounds found in the oil of the pigeon man plant, such as citral, have antimicrobial activity, and flavonoids may also help in this effect, as indicated by another study conducted in a test tube, the presence of an antibacterial effect in the extract of the herb against some types of bacteria. Which causes many infectious diseases such as Escherichia coli.

Protect neurons

According to some studies conducted on mice, the herb extract can help with some conditions related to brain health or neurological conditions, as the extract may help protect brain cells or neurons from loss in Alzheimer’s disease.

Other potential benefits

The herb can offer some other benefits to the body such as:

• Promote gum health.
• Maintaining a healthy heart.
• Reducing the number of times of diarrhea.
• Anti-inflammatory effect.

But it is worth noting that all these benefits need more studies to confirm their benefits, and a doctor should be consulted first before using the herb as a treatment for any health problem, especially as a food supplement.

How to use the pigeon man herb

You may find this herb with different names such as verbena or pigeon stalk, and there are many different forms of the plant, as it is found in the form of a powder or ointment, and the herb can also be used in the form of a herbal drink.

Damage to the pigeon man herb

The herb can have some side effects, although it is generally considered a safe herb. The herb may cause the following:

• For pregnant women, they should consult a doctor first, as the division extract may cause fetal deformities, and lactating women should also consult a doctor, because the available information on the effect of the herb on breast milk is not available, so it is better to avoid the herb.
• People who suffer from anemia or iron deficiency should stay away from the herb, as some previous research indicates that drinking the pigeon plant as tea may cause a problem in preventing the absorption of iron to a large extent.

In general, the doctor should be informed and consulted first before using the herb, in the event that any medications are being taken, especially anti-blood-clotting drugs, such as warfarin.