Veronica officinalis Herb Source & Identity
The botanical entity is Veronica officinalis L., a low, mat-forming perennial of the plantain family, Plantaginaceae, with pairs of oval leaves and spikes of pale blue-violet flowers. It is known as common speedwell or gypsyweed. The part used is the aerial portion, meaning leaves, stems and flowers, and the roots are not included in this Veronica officinalis extract. The genus is large, and the name Veronica alone does not identify a species, while the unrelated genus Veronicastrum also appears in catalogs under similar names. The herb carries iridoid glycosides such as aucubin and catalpol, flavonoids, phenolic acids, bitter principles and tannins, and the water extract keeps the soluble members.
Orders for Veronica officinalis extract should state the species and the aerial part, so that no other speedwell or Veronicastrum material is substituted.












