Lemon verbena

Lippia citriodora Kuntze

A tall, perennial shrub with fragrant leaves and small purple flowers, grown in France and North Africa for its essential oil production. It is often planted to create a living, fragrant hedge around a house or garden; lemon verbena can also be found in the wild.

The overseas guest liked the new place of residence. The homeland of lemon verbena is sun-drenched Chile and Argentina. Local residents used it along with lemon balm, mint, and orange flowers to make refreshing tea and were sure that this drink helped restore the liver after excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. Weakened, emaciated children were bathed in the broth.

Essential oil is obtained from branches with leaves. Unfortunately, its yield is insignificant: from 0.1 to 0.3%, which is one of the reasons for its high cost. Due to its very high price, lemon verbena oil is adulterated with a mixture of lemon, citronella and lemongrass oils, since it contains up to 30-35% citral.

The unique bouquet of verbena oil is formed thanks to the harmonious combination of the following substances: citral, geranial, neral, nerol, geraniol, caryophyllene, spatulenol, limonene, methyl heptenone... The combination of these and many other chemical ingredients with far from poetic names allows us to enjoy exquisite , a subtle sweetish-tart aroma with delicate floral and fruity notes.

Medicinal properties

1. Useful for lack of appetite, nausea, normalizes the digestion process.
2. Regulates blood pressure.
3. Relieves spasms of cerebral vessels.
4. Strengthens microcirculation and blood flow.
5. Normalizes the activity of the endocrine glands.
6. Regenerates tissue in case of wounds, bruises, sprains, fractures, hematomas.
7. Stimulates and facilitates labor, enhances lactation.
8. Prescribed for diseases of the liver and spleen.
9. Recommended for general weakness.
10. In folk medicine it is known as an antispasmodic, tonic, birth-stimulating and wound-healing agent. Used for disorders of the digestive system, nervous disorders, congestion in the liver.
11. Tones, strengthens and normalizes the activity of the central nervous system. Effective for headaches, dizziness, insomnia, fatigue, nervous tension, post-stress disorders, hysteria, depression.
12. Aphrodisiac.
13. Rejuvenates the skin, smoothes wrinkles, reduces the secretion of sebaceous and sweat glands.

Dosage

Oil burner: 4-5 k.

Internally: 1 tbsp in a bread capsule after meals.

Baths: 5-6 k.

Massage: 3-5 k. per 10 ml of transport oil.

Rubbing: 6-7 k. per 10 ml of transport oil.

Enrichment of cosmetics: 7-9 k. per 10 g of base.

Contraindications. Individual intolerance, first 4 months of pregnancy.

Note. The oil is phototoxic, do not use before sun exposure.