Lemon verbena
Aloysia citrodora
Herbs & Roots. Latin American & Amazon and Western & European.
Also called Cedrón, Verveine
Spanish: Hierba luisa
Oil can irritate skinA lemon-scented shrub whose leaves are brewed as a tea for digestion and calm nerves, with very limited human research.
Did you know? Lemon verbena comes from South America, but it became a favorite herb in France and Spain.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Digestion & gut health. Traditional tea for upset stomach, gas, and bloating. No good human trials exist for lemon verbena.Traditional proof
- Sleep. Used as a calming tea before bed. No good human trials show it helps sleep.Traditional proof
Parts of the body
Traditional use
In Argentina, Chile, and other South American countries, lemon verbena tea (cedrón) is a common after-meal drink for digestion. In Europe it has long been used for upset stomach and nerves.
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Carminative, Nervine. Energy: neutral.
How people take it
Common use is one to two cups of tea a day, made with one to two teaspoons of dried leaves steeped in hot water. No tested dose is set.
Tea and essential oil.
Where to get it
Native to Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Bolivia, and grown in Europe and North Africa for tea and oil. Sold as dried leaves, tea bags, and essential oil.
Be careful
Tea amounts are generally mild. Essential oil can irritate the skin and cause allergic reactions, and it should never be swallowed. It is not well studied in pregnancy, so skip large amounts and ask a doctor first.
Avoid if: pregnancy; breastfeeding.
Mixing with other things
- Works well together
Both are common calming teas after meals or at bedtime.
- Works well together
Both are lemon-scented calming herbs often blended into tea.
The honest take
Lemon verbena tea is pleasant and food-like, but its health claims come from tradition, not solid studies. It may ease stomach upset or help you relax, but there is no good human proof. Its essential oil can irritate skin and should not be taken by mouth.