Vervain

Vervain (Verbena officinalis'Tyler Smallwood: Vervain, Meredith. Verbena officinalis. I've got a friend who's into these things. (Dark Reunion - Chapter 9)) is a herb that can protect an individual from bewitchment such as a vampire's Influence, and was often worn around the neck.Stefan Salvatore: There are certain plants, though, that might help you. Like vervain. That's an herb that's supposed to protect you against bewitchment, and it can keep your mind clear even if someone is using Powers against you. People used to wear it around their necks. Bonnie would love it; it was sacred to the Druids. (Dark Reunion - Chapter 7) The oil can be extracted from the seeds and rubbed onto the skin or added to a bath, or the leaves can be dried and carried on one's person or under one's pillow,Stefan Salvatore: Once I've extracted the oil from the seeds, you can rub it into your skin or add it to a bath. And you can make the dried leaves into a sachet and carry it with you or put it under your pillow at night. (The Struggle - Chapter 9) although carrying a sprig is no less effective.
==History==
Vervain was sacred to the Druids in ancient Britain. Prior to the 21st century, it was common for vervain to be worn around the neck.
After Damon Salvatore's presence in Fell's Church was made known to Stefan, he decided to collect some vervain for Elena Gilbert to protect her from his Influence. However, vervain's flowering season in Fell's Church had passed, and any plants would have been wiped out by the frost. As the Fell's Church Sheriff's Department had possession of his car, he asked Matt Honeycutt if he could borrow his car. Matt agreed to drive him.The Struggle - Chapter 8 After searching through hedgerows and rough grass somewhere past Interstate 95, they managed to find some. Arriving at the Gilbert house, Stefan gave several sprigs to Elena, and, after returning to the Flowers boardinghouse, worked on extracting the vervain's oils. Elena sneaked one sprig into Bonnie McCullough's backpack,The Struggle - Chapter 9 and later gave both her and Meredith Sulez sachets of dried leaves.The Struggle - Chapter 10 Elena herself began sprinkling dried vervain in her baths.The Struggle - Chapter 11
While Stefan was in Italy, he collected some vervain blooming outside of Florence, which he took with him to Fell's Church. He gave several sprigs to Vickie Bennett, telling her to put some in every room of her house, and to hide some in her mother and father's clothes.Dark Reunion - Chapter 6 He also gave some to Bonnie and Meredith.Dark Reunion - Chapter 7
==Behind the scenes==
*Despite Stefan's efforts to extract the oils from the vervain seeds, the oil is never used; Elena sprinkles dried vervain in her baths, hides a sprig in Bonnie's backpack, and gives both her and Meredith sachets of dried leaves.
==Appearances==
*The Struggle 
*The Fury 
*Dark Reunion 
==Notes and references==
Category:Plants