Speedwell |
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| Common Name | Speedwell |
| Scientific Name | Veronica officinalis |
| Speedwell is also called Veronica, Common Speedwell, Gypsy Weed, Fluellin, The de L'Europe, Groundhele, Paul's Betony, and Low Speedwell. This plant is supposedly named for St. Veronica. When she wiped the face of Jesus with her veil as he walked the road to Calvary, it is said an impression of his thorn-crowned head appeared on the scarf and on the flowers she was wearing. The plant is established in dry meadows, woods, and fields in the eastern United States as far south as North Carolina and Tennessee. In Europe, where it is native, speedwell has a reputation for being a universal healer, but in other areas it is best known as a remedy for respiratory problems and stomach ailments. The tea is used to ease migraine headaches and as a gargle for mouth and throat sores. It is also used as a tonic to cure coughs, catarrh, and skin diseases. Speedwell is used in the manufacture of vermouth. | |
| Plant | Perennial. Speedwell's stems are almost prostrate, turning up only toward the ends. Its opposite, soft, hairy, greyish-green leaves have finely toothed margins. Bright blue flower clusters appear from May to August, followed by hairy capsules containing the seeds. |
| Height | Stems grow to about 16 inches, but because they creep, the plant rises only from 3 to 10 inches. It makes a good ground cover. |
| Soil | Dry, almost any kind. |
| Exposure | Sun, partial shade, shade. |
| Propagation | By seeds sown during the third lunar phase or by root division. |
| Care | Space mature plants 1 foot apart. The plant grows almost anywhere, and it is useful in rock gardens or flower borders. |
| Part used for Tea | Leaves or whole herb. |
| Taste | Bitter, tangy. It was once a universal substitute for China tea. |
| How to Brew | BY INFUSION: Cover 4 teaspoons of the flowering herb, or 2 teaspoons of the dried herb, with 1 cup of boiling water. Steep to taste. |
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