Lemon Verbena Essential Oil

Origin

Lemon verbena, a flowering plant, has its origins in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Peru. Its botanical name is Aloysia Citrodora.

It is also known as Lippia Citrodora, Verbena triphylla. It is also known as Herb Louisa, named after Marie Louisa, the Princess of Parma.

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Lemon verbena is a perennial shrub growing up to two to three meters long with glossy pointed leaves. When the plant is bruised, it releases a citrus scent. Sprays of tiny lilac or white flowers bloom in late spring or early summer. Lemon verbena is extensively used in culinary dishes that are marketed widely across the world.

Extraction and physical properties

The freshly harvested leaves of Lemon Verbena are used to extract essential oil through steam distillation. Dried leaves are also used to extract essential oil. The essential oil has a lemony, fresh aroma and is pale yellow or olive in color.

Chemical components

The chemical composition of Lemon verbena essential oil is rich with volatile oils such as borneol, limonene, geraniol, linalool, citral, curcumene, myrcenene, and flavonoids consisting of apigenin, luteolin, and six hydroylated flavones along with methyl esters like eupafolin, hispidulin, eupatorin, and salvigenin.

Benefits of Lemon verbena essential oil

Lemon verbena essential oil has many beneficial properties and plays an important role as a therapeutic essential oil in healing and aromatherapy. Its subtle and fine flavor makes it a key ingredient in fish and poultry dishes, salad dressings, vegetable marinades, jams, puddings, and beverages. Lemon verbena leaves are used to make herbal teas.

Therapeutic Applications of Lemon verbena essential oil

The therapeutic value of Lemon verbena is very high as it is used to deal with various illnesses. Lemon verbena essential oil is used to aid the digestive system as it helps alleviate cramps, indigestion, and liver congestion. It also aids in relieving colic, flatulence, and diarrhea. Lemon verbena also helps in treating liver cirrhosis.

Lemon verbena can be taken internally to treat fever and cold. It has antipyretic properties that reduce fever and colds and relieve asthma. It relieves chest congestions, sinusitis, and other illness of the respiratory system.

This essential oil is also well known for its calming and soothing effects. It is found effective in treating anxiety, stress, nervous tension, and nervous conditions that can lead to depression. Lemon verbena essential oil relaxes and refreshes the body and mind. It is widely used as an aromatherapy product to deal with stress, anxiety, or sleep disorders. It is administered through different techniques such as massages, baths, and vapor inhalation as it acts as a sedative and soothes frayed nerves.

Lemon verbena has antispasmodic and analgesic properties making it effective in relieving muscular and rheumatic pains. It can be used to reduce puffiness of skin and is also very helpful as a hair tonic. It is said to have antibacterial, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, hepatic insecticidal, sedative, and stomachic properties. It has been used as an effective ingredient in insect repellants as it keeps insects at bay. Studies have shown that lemon verbena essential oil along with other essential oils is antibacterial in nature, especially in fighting H. pylori, a pathogen that is responsible for gastro-duodenal diseases.

The essential oil of Lemon verbena blends well with essential oils such as orange blossom, lemon, palmarosa, olibanum, elemi, and other citrus oils.

Precautions

Although there is not much safety data available on lemon verbena essential oil, it has to be noted that due to high citral levels it can cause sensitization and is phototoxic. Essential oils such as lemon verbena should never be used in undiluted form. They must be blended with a base oil for use in massage therapy, baths, or lotions. Lemon verbena oil can be used on oily skin and clears acne. When blended with bergamot it refreshes the room and soothes the nerves.

Lemon Verbena Essential Oil
Lemon Verbena Essential Oil
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