Description:
Verbena essential oil is acquired from herb verbena, scientifically known as Verbena officinalis, belongs to Verbenaceae family
Lemon verbena oil is extracted from Lippia citriodora – also known as Aloysia triphylla (also known as A. citriodora, Lippia triphylla and Verbena triphylla) from the Verbenaceae family and is also known as verbena or herb Louisa.
Oil properties
Lemon verbena oil has a lemony, sweet fresh aroma and is pale olive or yellow in color.
Origin of lemon verbena oil
It is a deciduous, perennial shrub that grows up to 5 meters (16 feet) in height and has a woody stem, very fragrant, delicate, pale green leaves and small, purple flowers. It is a native of Chile and is named after Marie Louisa, Princess of Parma. Lemon verbena oil must not be mistaken with “Spanish verbena”, also referred to by some as “verbena oil”, or with Verbena officinalis, which refers to the herb Vervain.
Extraction
Lemon verbena oil is extracted from the freshly harvested leaves by steam distillation.
Chemical composition
The main chemical components of lemon verbena is borneol, geraniol, linalool, nerol, citral, dipentene, limonene and myrcene.
Precautions
There is not much safety data regarding lemon verbena oil, but since it has a high citral level it may cause sensitization and is phototoxic.
Therapeutic properties
The therapeutic properties of lemon verbena oil are antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, digestive, emollient, febrifuge, hepatic, insecticide, sedative, stomachic and tonic.
Uses
In the digestive system, lemon verbena oil helps with cramps, indigestion and liver congestion and is helpful to restore the liver after a binge and when suffering from a hangover.
The stimulant action on the digestive system helps to digest fats and the excellent action on the liver helps in cases of cirrhosis, as well as alcoholism. It soothes the respiratory tract and calms heart palpitations. The calming action of the oil helps in sexual matters.Lemon verbena oil helps to banish depression and relaxes as well as refreshes the body and mind, while uplifting the spirits and promoting stress control.
