The Many Uses of Lemon Verbena

by Monique Miller March 21, 2023

Health Benefits Of Lemon Verbena
Lemon Verbena has many fascinating health benefits, including its ability to assist in weight loss goals, protect your muscles, reduce inflammation, boost the immune system, calm the stomach, reduce fevers, soothe nerves, and clear up congestion.
Lemon VerbenaAlthough lemon verbena is native to South America, it has largely become a globally accessible plant due to its powerful medicinal effects and wonderful qualities as a food additive. Scientifically known as Aloysia citrodora, another common name besides lemon verbena is lemon beebrush. The plant itself is a perennial shrub that has a powerful lemony scent that intensifies when the leaves and flowers are touched or bruised. The shrub can stand 2-3 meters high and has small purple and white flowers. Initially, Lemon Verbena was used as a food and flavoring additive, particularly adding leaves to poultry and fish dishes, as well as salads, dressings, jams, and various beverages. However, the traditional uses of lemon verbena as a medicinal herb have come back into fashion, especially since modern research has revealed a wealth of unique components that make this plant very beneficial to our health.
The essential oil of lemon verbena, when extracted, contains a high concentration of powerful antioxidant compounds, including verbascoside, nerol, geraniol, and citral. The most common use of lemon verbena outside of herbal pill supplementation is as an herbal tea. The leaves can be dried and then steeped for a powerful boost to many of your organ systems and metabolic processes. 
Health Benefits Of Lemon Verbena
Weight Loss: While tea is often suggested for those on a diet, lemon verbena seems to be particularly effective. There are only 2 calories per serving and the rich mix of organic compounds has an effect on the body that reduces the desire to snack, thereby preventing you from eating between meals and compromising your diet. Also, the metabolic effects of lemon verbena tea can assist in increasing your fat-burning by optimizing various bodily processes.
Protect Your Muscles: This is one of the most unique qualities of this herb, and one that you don’t often find in simple teas. When you use lemon verbena tea as an exercise supplement, research has shown that the high antioxidant potential decreases damage done to the muscles during the workout, without inhibiting your body’s development of additional muscle mass and increased stamina. This makes lemon verbena the perfect pre-workout companion.
Reduce Inflammation: Arthritis and injuries can wreak havoc on our joints and mobility. As we age, or when we are injured, it can be difficult to ever feel whole again because our joints are in constant use and rarely have time to heal properly. Lemon verbena has been directly linked with reduced joint pain and faster recovery times for joint-related injuries, primarily due (once again) to the impressive antioxidant performance of this beautiful, lemony herb.
Immune System: Oxidative Stress is the formal name for our bodies “breaking down”. Oxidative stress is a result of free radical activity and presence throughout our body’s organ systems, which weakens the immune system by stretching it too thin and distracting it with cellular mutation and chronic disease. Research has connected lemon verbena supplementation with lowered oxidative stress levels and better overall health of the body, evidenced by a decisive increase in white blood cells, the first line of defense for our immune system.

Digestive Issues: Additionally, lemon verbena tea has soothing qualities that have been traditionally relied on to relieve stomach issues and indigestion in many different cultures. This herbal preparation has anti-spasmodic qualities that help it calm the stomach and eliminate cramping and bloating, which can lead to discomfort and more serious gastrointestinal issues. 
Reduce Fevers: In traditional South American medicine, lemon verbena was trusted as a diaphoretic, meaning that it stimulated sweating, and was therefore used to break fevers and speed healing for those suffering from inflammatory illnesses.

Anxiety: The antioxidant compounds found in lemon verbena can also have an impact on the hormonal balance in the body. While this effect isn’t dramatic, it has been known as a calming beverage and is prescribed for those with nervous afflictions or chronic stress, as it can ease the mind and calm the body.
Congestion: Another beneficial attribute of lemon verbena is its expectorant properties. Drinking the tea can loosen up congestion in the respiratory tracts and help eliminate the phlegm and mucous in that system. Phlegm can be a breeding ground for bacteria and other pathogens to stick and grow, so drinking a tea that can help get rid of that unwanted material is definitely a good way to improve your immune system.
Warning: Despite this generally positive portrayal of lemon verbena, some people do suffer from mild dermatitis as an allergic response. Also, if you suffer from kidney disease, lemon verbena’s active ingredients could potentially worsen the condition, so avoid use. Most importantly, as with any traditional method, consult a trained medical professional before changing your health regimen or replacing a pharmaceutical drug with an herbal remedy.
 

The Many Uses of Lemon Verbena

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