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Omnia Sana · Plant Monograph

Lemon Verbena

Aloysia citrodora

Family VerbenaceaeParts used LeafAlso known as Lemon beebrush, Lippia citriodora

This monograph compiles 3 documented constituents, 6 pharmacological actions, 10 traditional / indicated uses, supported by 8 cited sources, drawn directly from the Omnia Sana plant database.

Key Constituents

Essential oil (neral and geranial, i.e. citral)[1]

Gives the lemon aroma and contributes to the calming and antimicrobial effects.

Essential (volatile) oilCitral (neral / geranial)
Verbascoside (acteoside)[1, 2]

The principal polyphenol of the extract and a major antioxidant constituent.

Verbascoside (acteoside)Phenolic compounds
Flavonoids[1]

Additional antioxidant constituents.

Flavonoids

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory[1, 2]
Antioxidant[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Antioxidant - supports muscle recovery and reduces exercise-induced muscle soreness and oxidative stress; a placebo-controlled RCT of a lemon verbena extract found less loss of muscle strength and less soreness after exhaustive exercise

Anxiolytic / calming[1, 6]

Anxiolytic / calming (anxiety) - also supported by a clinical trial of the closely related Aloysia polystachya

Carminative[1]

Carminative digestive aid (indigestion, flatulence)

Digestive aid[1]

Carminative digestive aid (indigestion, flatulence)

Sedative / sleep support[1, 7, 8]

Sedative / sleep support (insomnia)

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Anxiety[1, 6]Good · 8/10

Anxiolytic / calming (anxiety) - also supported by a clinical trial of the closely related Aloysia polystachya

more plants for anxiety →detailed sources →
Arthritis / joint pain[1, 2]Good · 7/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →
Bloating[1]Good · 7/10

Carminative digestive aid (indigestion, flatulence)

more plants for bloating →detailed sources →
Indigestion[1]Good · 7/10

Carminative digestive aid (indigestion, flatulence)

more plants for indigestion →detailed sources →
Inflammation (general)[1, 2]Good · 7/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →
Insomnia / sleeplessness[1, 7, 8]Strong · 9/10

Sedative / sleep support (insomnia)

more plants for insomnia / sleeplessness →detailed sources →
Muscle soreness[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]Good · 8/10

Antioxidant - supports muscle recovery and reduces exercise-induced muscle soreness and oxidative stress; a placebo-controlled RCT of a lemon verbena extract found less loss of muscle strength and less soreness after exhaustive exercise

more plants for muscle soreness →detailed sources →
Nervous tension[1, 6]Good · 8/10

inferred from anxiolytic action

more plants for nervous tension →detailed sources →
Skin irritation[1, 2]Good · 7/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →
Stress[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]Good · 8/10

Antioxidant - supports muscle recovery and reduces exercise-induced muscle soreness and oxidative stress; a placebo-controlled RCT of a lemon verbena extract found less loss of muscle strength and less soreness after exhaustive exercise

more plants for stress →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note[1]Info

Generally well tolerated; human safety and efficacy are not fully established. Its sedative effect can add to that of alcohol, sedatives and sleep medicines.

Safety note[1]Caution

Safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not established, so avoid medicinal doses.

References & Sources

  1. Bahramsoltani, R., Rostamiasrabadi, P., Shahpiri, Z., Marques, A.M., Rahimi, R. and Farzaei, M.H (2018) 'Aloysia citrodora Palau (Lemon verbena): A review of phytochemistry and pharmacology', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, pp. 2018. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2018.04.021 Meta-analysis / review
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2018.04.021
  2. Tammar, S., Salem, N., Aidi Wannes, W., Limam, H., Bourgou, S., Fares, N. and others (2021) 'Chemometric Profiling and Bioactivity of Verbena (Aloysia citrodora) Methanolic Extract from Four Localities in Tunisia', Foods, 10(12). doi:10.3390/foods10122912 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10122912
  3. Buchwald-Werner, S., Naka, I., Wilhelm, M., Schutz, E., Schoen, C. and Reule, C (2018) 'Effects of lemon verbena extract (Recoverben) supplementation on muscle strength and recovery after exhaustive exercise: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial', Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. doi:10.1186/s12970-018-0208-0 Randomized trial
    https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-018-0208-0
  4. Rashid, H.M., Mahmod, A.I., Afifi, F.U. and Talib, W.H (2022) 'Antioxidant and Antiproliferation Activities of Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citrodora): An In Vitro and In Vivo Study', Plants, 11(6). doi:10.3390/plants11060785 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11060785
  5. Hoseinifar, S.H., Shakouri, M., Doan, H.V., Shafiei, S., Yousefi, M., Raeisi, M. and others (2020) 'Dietary supplementation of lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora) improved immunity, immune-related genes expression and antioxidant enzymes in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)', Fish and Shellfish Immunology, pp. 379--385. doi:10.1016/j.fsi.2020.02.006 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsi.2020.02.006
  6. Carmona, F., Coneglian, F.S., Batista, P.A., Aragon, D.C., Angelucci, M.A., Martinez, E.Z. and Pereira, A.M.S (2019) 'Aloysia polystachya powdered leaves are effective in treating anxiety symptoms: A phase-2, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, pp. 2019. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2019.112060 Randomized trial
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2019.112060
  7. Afrasiabian, F., Mirabzadeh Ardakani, M., Rahmani, K., Azadi, N.A., Alemohammad, Z.B., Bidaki, R., Karimi, M., Emtiazy, M. and Hashempur, M.H (2018) 'Aloysia citriodora Palau (lemon verbena) for insomnia patients: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of efficacy and safety', Phytotherapy Research, 33(2), pp. 350--359. doi:10.1002/ptr.6228 Randomized trial
    https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6228
  8. Perez-Pinero, S., Munoz-Carrillo, J.C., Echepare-Taberna, J., Munoz-Camara, M., Herrera-Fernandez, C., Garcia-Guillen, A.I. and others (2024) 'Dietary Supplementation with an Extract of Aloysia citrodora (Lemon verbena) Improves Sleep Quality in Healthy Subjects: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Study', Nutrients, 16(10). doi:10.3390/nu16101523 Randomized trial
    https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16101523

Record last updated 2026-06-15 · Provenance: website+pubmed+symptom-tool · Status: verified

This fact sheet is generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and reflects its latest synced data. It is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.

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