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Lemon verbena, a species of flowering plant of the verbena family Verbenacea, is native to South America, but it is cultivated in many other parts of the world, including the Middle East and the Mediterranean region.
Lemon verbena is a deciduous plant growing almost all over the world. When leaves are been rubbed they give a lemon odour and the taste resembles that of the lemon (Wren, 1975).
Lemon verbena contains a volatile oil (mainly consisting of citral, cineole, limonene, and geraniole), mucilage, tannins, and flavonoids.
| Active substance | Documented use / Traditional use | Pharmaceutical form | Period of medicinal use |
|---|---|---|---|
| L. citriodora dried leaf | Relief of mild symptoms of mental stress and to aid sleep | Decoction: 1 oz to 1 pt teacup, divided in 3 single doses (equivalent to 10 g in 200 ml) Infusion: as an aid to sleep: 1 to 2 cups (1 g to 2 g) half an hour before going to bed Children>6 years and adults | Wren, 1975 More than 30 years of medicinal use in the EU |
| L. citriodora dried leaves | Symptomatic treatment of mild gastrointestinal complaints including bloating and flatulence | Infusion 0.5-2%, several times daily (after meals) 2-3 g per cup, 1-3 times daily | (Van Hellemont, 1986) More than 30 years of medicinal use in the EU (Spain, MA 1974) |
Lemon verbena and its infusion preparation is regarded to date as traditional herbal medicinal product in the following indications (EMA/ HMPC, 2019) a) Relief of mild symptoms of mental stress and to aid sleep b) Symptomatic treatment of mild gastrointestinal complaints including bloating and flatulence.
