No. 1 Botanicals – Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citrodora (Paláu), Verbenaceae)

An attractive sweet-scented shrub with glossy-green lanceolate leaves, Lemon Verbena is a native of southern South America, and was brought to Europe in the 1600’s, arriving in England in the 1780’s. The whole plant is powerfully aromatic in warm weather, giving off an almost intoxicating lemony scent. its citrusy, floral flavour enhances cocktails, teas, oils, and vinegars.

As with other lemon-scented plants, such as Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis), Lemon Verbena leaf has a gentle tranquilising, chill out activity, and is commonly used to ease anxiety and tension. It makes a good bedtime drink, as its calming effect often promotes a sound night’s sleep, and the chilled infusion makes an excellent cooling drink in hot weather.

It has been suggested that Lemon Verbena extract can help reduce inflammatory damage and speed recovery in athletes after strenuous exercise. Researchers claim that Lemon verbena extract has been shown to be a safe and well-tolerated natural sports ingredient, by reducing muscle damage after exhaustive exercise¹. There have also been links between weight loss and Lemon Verbena extract combined with Hibiscus².

No1 Lemon Verbena Water is a refreshing pick-me-up, any time of the day. It accompanies perfectly with salads, fish and desserts.

REFERENCES

1. Effects of lemon verbena extract (Recoverben®) supplementation on muscle strength and recovery after exhaustive exercise: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.Buchwald-Werner et al. J Int Soc Sports Nutrition (2018) 15:5
2. Hibiscus and lemon verbena polyphenols modulate appetite-related biomarkers in overweight subjects: a randomized controlled trial. Boix-Castejón M et al. Food & function 9:6 2018 Jun 20 pg 3173-3184

Disclaimer

The information referring to the “No1 Rosemary Water extended family” found on our sites in connection with No1 Rosemary Water’s botanical waters range (“the Botanical Range”) is third party information relating to certain ingredients used in the Botanical Range. It is provided for the purposes of providing useful or interesting third party information on such ingredients but is not in any way intended to give the impression that the Botanical Range has any particular medicinal or health benefits or that it should be used to treat any illness. Nor should it be read as implying that No1 Rosemary Water or the Botanical Range has been authorised or granted any licence to promote or sell medicinal products.