The Voynich Botanical Plants

Folio 22r. Common Vervain or Holy Herb (Verbena officinalis), unlike most verbenas, is a perennial herb, native to Europe. The name holy herb may be due to the legend that it was found on the Mount of Calvary, where it was used to staunch the wounds of the crucified Savior. Medieval herbalists considered that “it was good for the stomach, liver and lungs and was applied to bites from venomous animals. It was also considered to have magical properties: “If one goes to battle, let him seek the vervian and keep it in his clothing and he will escape from his enemies.” (2) (C)