Lemon Verbena

Scientific Name(s): Aloysia triphylla (L'Her.) Britt.
Common Name(s): Cedron, Cidrao, Lemon beebrush, Lemon verbena, Louisa, Salva-limao, Verveine citronelle

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 23, 2021.

Clinical Overview

Use

Lemon verbena extract has demonstrated antioxidant activity and the essential oil has shown antimicrobial properties, but support of clinical applications is lacking.

Dosing

There are no clinical studies to substantiate the safety or efficacy of any dosing regimens. Traditional dosage of a 45 mL decoction taken several times per day has been described.

Contraindications

Contraindications have not been identified. Avoid in renal insufficiency.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Avoid use. Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

Contact hypersensitivity has been associated with members of related species. Avoid in renal insufficiency because lemon verbena is excreted via renal route.

Toxicology

Lemon verbena is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for human consumption and for use as a flavoring agent in alcoholic beverages.

Scientific Family

• Verbenaceae

Botany

Lemon verbena is a deciduous, aromatic plant native to Argentina and Chile, growing to 3 m and characterized by fragrant lemon-scented, narrow leaves. It bears small, white flowers in terminal panicles.1, 2, 3 Lemon verbena is commonly cultivated in the tropics and Europe and grown commercially in France and North Africa. Synonyms include Lippia citrodora Kunth, Lippia triphylla (L’Her.) Kuntze, Verbena triphylla L’Her., Zappania citrodora Lam.

History

Lemon verbena has been used as a medicinal plant for centuries as an antispasmodic, antipyretic, carminative, sedative, and stomachic, among other indications. The leaves and flowering tops are used in teas and as beverage flavors. Its fragrance is used in perfumery.1, 4, 5

Chemistry

An essential oil, present in small quantities (0.42% to 0.65%), is extracted from lemon verbena leaves by steam distillation. Known as "oil of verbena," it contains a variety of fragrant compounds, including neral, citral (35%), methyl heptenone, carvone, l-limonene, dipentene, and geraniol. Flavonoids (including vitexin), phenolic acids, and iridoid glycosides (verbascosides) have been described,5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and high-performance liquid chromatography methods have been utilized.7

The content and composition of the essential oil varies by genotype, plant part, growth stage, time of harvesting, and region of cultivation.3, 10 The European Pharmacopoeia describes the essential oil and chemical markers for the species, including the phenylpropanoid glucoside acetoside.10

Uses and Pharmacology

Antimicrobial

Animal data

An alcoholic leaf extract demonstrated antibiotic activity in vitro against Escherichia coli, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Staphylococcus aureus.4, 11 Insecticidal activity has been described, suggesting possible applications for controlling h...