Lemon Verbena
Aloysia citrodora
A lemon-scented shrub whose leaves make a herbal tea. It's recognised in Europe as a traditional remedy for mild stress, to help sleep, and for mild digestive complaints such as bloating and gas.
What is Lemon Verbena?
- Plant family
- Verbenaceae, the verbena family
- Parts used
- The dried leaves, as a herbal tea
- Genus
- Aloysia
- Species
- citrodora
Also called
Lemon Verbena Leaf
Regional names
Verveine Odorante
Older scientific names
Aloysia triphylla, Lippia citriodora
Traditionally used for
- Stress
- Sleep
- Bloating
- Gas
- Herbal tea
Traditionally described as
- May ease bloating and gas (traditional)
- May help you relax (traditional)
Health topics
Where Lemon Verbena appears in symptom search, and why. Being listed doesn't mean it's a proven treatment.
- Bloating
Recognised in Europe as a traditional remedy for mild bloating and gas. Based on long use, not trials.
- Sleep Problems (Insomnia)
Recognised in Europe as a traditional remedy to help sleep. Based on long use, not trials.
- Stress
Recognised in Europe as a traditional remedy for mild symptoms of mental stress. Based on long use, not trials.
Traditions that use it
European Folk Medicine
Recognised in Europe as a traditional remedy for mild stress, sleep and mild digestive complaints.
Safety
Allergies
Don't use it if you're allergic to lemon verbena or other plants in the verbena family (Verbenaceae).[1]
Side effects
Lemon verbena may make you drowsy. If it does, don't drive or use machinery. No other side effects are known.[1]
Pregnancy
Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, because its safety hasn't been established.[1]
How much to use
Not recommended for children. As a tea:
- For stress: 5 g of leaf boiled in 100 ml of water, 3 times a day
- For sleep: 1–2 g in 200 ml of boiling water, half an hour before bed
- For digestion: 2–3 g in 200 ml of boiling water, 1–3 times a day
See a doctor if symptoms last more than 2 weeks or get worse.[1]
What does the research say?
Traditional use
These are traditional uses, not proven treatments.
The European Medicines Agency recognises lemon verbena leaf tea as a traditional herbal medicine for teenagers and adults:
- To relieve mild symptoms of mental stress
- To help sleep
- For mild digestive complaints, including bloating and gas
This is based on long use alone, not on clinical trials.[1]
In short
May make you drowsy; not recommended for children or during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Sources
- [1] European Union herbal monograph on Aloysia citrodora Paláu, folium (lemon verbena leaf) — European Medicines Agency (EMA), Committee on Herbal Medicinal ProductsGovernment health agency
This information is educational and traditional in nature, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.