Lemon Verbena

This essential oil is great to banish blues and depression while boosting liver function and helping the digestive and respiratory system and at the same time softening the skin and reducing puffiness.

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.

The therapeutic properties of lemon verbena oil are antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, digestive, emollient, febrifuge, hepatic, insecticide, sedative, stomachic and tonic.

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.

This oil helps with nervous conditions, especially those that manifest as digestive complaints and is a wonderful liver tonic, while it has a softening effect on the skin and help to reduce puffiness as well.

Blends well with

Lemon, Elemi, Neroli and Palmarosa

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.

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