Lemon Verbena Benefits & Side Effects

When it comes to Herbal Tea, thoughts often drift to Peppermint and Camomile. However, there are many, many more options – including Lemon Verbena Tea, which comes with Lemon Verbena benefits.

If you, too, are looking to branch away from conventional brews, this is an excellent choice. Discover more about its potential in the following article. Topics discussed will feature: 

We can answer the last question right now: The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company. So, once you know the facts, you can try this delectable infusion right here with us.

It’s worth noting, too, that we pack every Loose Leaf Tea, Tisane and Coffee fresh to order. This is our way of guaranteeing not only quality but also consistency, time and time again. But first, let’s explore Lemon Verbena Tea benefits.

What is Lemon Verbena?

The Lemon Verbena plant (Aloysia citrodora) is an aromatic, perennial shrub native to South America. Its nickname is “Lemon Beebrush,” referring to its immense popularity with bees.

Humans, too, have found many Lemon Verbena uses – including, of course, brewing it up as a delicious Herbal Tea. However, contrary to popular belief, it is not a relative of the citrus fruit of the same name. 

The word “Lemon” in Lemon Verbena instead comes about because of the potent aroma its leaves exude. They grow on stems reaching up to three metres high before workers harvest them ready for preparation.

Upon the first sip, expect sweet, citrusy flavours with herbaceous undertones. It is a true delight to the senses – one that offers Lemon Verbena benefits. 

History of Lemon Verbena

Indigenous people of South America likely consumed the leaves of this plant many centuries ago. It wasn’t until the Europeans began colonising the continent, though, that knowledge of it spread.

A French botanist named Philibert Commerson“discovered” Lemon Verbena during the 1760s. He had reached the New World as part of Louis Antoine de Bougainville’s circumnavigation of the world.

Commerson, after initially naming it “Aloysia triphylla,” presented specimens to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Madrid, Spain. However, two physicians called Casimiro Gomez Ortega and Antonio Paulau y Verdera eventually changed this botanical term to “Aloysia citrodora”.

The reason was to honour Maria Luisa, the Princess of Parma and later the wife of Spanish King Charles IV. 

Today, some indeed recognise Lemon Verbena by another nickname: Herb Louisa. It now finds itself in a variety of commercial products such as perfumes, air freshers and potpourris.

Additionally, and perhaps more importantly, it continues to enthral people when made into Lemon Verbena Herbal Tea. Let’s now look into the health benefits of Lemon Verbena leaves.

Does Lemon Verbena Tea Have Caffeine?

The short answer is no, Lemon Verbena Tea is completely, 100% caffeine-free. But is this a good thing or a bad thing? That very much depends on your perspective.

It is certainly a great choice for those who’re caffeine sensitive, as well as anyone looking to cut down their intake. Yet if you’re in need of an extra push first thing in the morning, the better option remains a real, caffeinated cup of Tea.

Do you still have your heart set on a herbal infusion? You might want to consider Yerba Mate. This is the product of a plant that, like Lemon Verbena, grows predominantly in the South American rainforest.

When brewed, it has notes reminiscent of smoked wood, tobacco and high-quality Green Tea with slightly astringent undertones. Alternatively, there are caffeine levels in Coffee.

Lemon Verbena Tea Properties

Several chemical compounds exist in this Tea, many of which can improve your life in small yet significant ways.

The most critical are its vitamins, minerals and other antioxidants, which, when combined, lead to most of the Lemon Verbena benefits we’ll be talking about below. Here is a table showcasing just some of its constituents:

Lemon Verbena Nutritional Benefits
Borneol	Carvone	Cedrol
Geraniol	Limonene	Linalool
Nerol	Terpineol	Verbascoside

But what, exactly, can these Lemon Verbena healing properties do? For starters, they combat free radicals in the body, the product of natural, though sometimes harmful, human oxidation.

 

This ultimately leads to a reduced risk of developing a multitude of chronic conditions. If, however, you’re still asking yourself “what is Lemon Verbena good for?,” please keep reading to find out.

Lemon Verbena Tea Benefits

We live in an age of “fake news.” It’s everywhere. On the internet. In the papers. Spread from mouth to mouth. It’s indeed difficult to believe many things we hear these days, so does the same apply to Lemon Verbena benefits?

Not according to the latest scientific evidence, much of which has featured in reputable scientific journals. Although most research remains in its preliminary stages, it appears promising. 

We have compiled the latest information concerning the benefits of drinking Lemon Verbena Tea. Please note, though, that we do NOT endorse it at this stage despite these findings.

What we support, then, is ongoing research, which continues to grow with each passing year. First and foremost, The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company cares about the welfare of its customers.

Lemon Verbena for Weight Loss

Lemon Verbena for weight loss is an excellent choice. This is because it helps you to reach your goals in three unique ways. The first reason is the fact that it contains no more than two calories per 8-oz serving, thus making it a viable alternative to sugary, fatty, soft drinks.

Then there is its ability to boost the metabolism of fat cells, which in turn enables the body to burn fat quicker and more efficiently. 

Finally, according to a 2010 study published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology, it supports your exercise routine. Participants involved worked out for 90 minutes daily after consuming Lemon Verbena extract.

The results showed a reduction in the amount of overall muscle damage experienced. Please note, however, that these qualities require effort on your part, too!

Verbena Tea Improves Joint Function

Early research suggests correlations between Lemon Verbena Herbal Tea and improved joint function. This is according to a study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.

It involved forty-five participants, all of whom had joint problems, taking a dietary supplement of omega-3 fatty acids alongside Lemon Verbena extract. 

After three weeks, a significant percentage of participants showed a decrease in overall joint pain and an increase in joint mobility. By four weeks, this percentage increased even further. It’s possible that the reason for this is the Antioxidants in Tea, which, as already established, neutralise free radicals in the body.

Just be sure to speak to your doctor before trying Lemon Verbena benefits for this reason.

It Can Support Your Immune System

Regardless of whether it’s summer or winter, colds and the flu have a tendency of creeping up on you.

Medicine should be your first and primary choice when illness arises, although Lemon Verbena benefits could, at the very least, offer a helping hand.

A 2012 study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science can explain the “hows” and “whys.”

Scientists instructed athletic volunteers to take 1.8 grams of Lemon Verbena extract daily for 21 days. Each test subject, at the end of the project, had stronger white blood cells – an encouraging sign of an improved immune system.

Additionally, it showed that the athletes had fewer markers for oxidative stress, which is yet another indication that the antioxidants in this beverage have great potential.

Lemon Verbena Benefits for Skin

The benefits of Lemon Verbena Tea seem to help your outside as much as your inside. Antioxidants once again have a part to play – most notably verbascoside, which has anti-inflammatory properties.

This, as its name likely suggests, reduces inflammation found on the skin. A combination of verbascoside and another chemical compound, luteolin 7-diglucuronide, also protects the skin against UV rays and wilting.

But that isn’t all on offer here. Its vitamins and minerals, too, work well against blemishes and other skin-related conditions – hence why some drink Lemon Verbena for acne.

Whether this Herbal Tea can make a huge difference to our skin health, though, remains to be seen. Yet, if proven outright, it could, in theory, boost the confidence of countless people.

Promote Better Digestion (IBS)

When you’re looking for some of the Best Teas for Digestion, Lemon Verbena benefits should be high on your list. This is because it helps to fight Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a condition that affects the gastrointestinal system in many ways.

It can lead to symptoms such as stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation, among others. Most sufferers find it to be a lifelong problem. 

This infusion could nevertheless provide temporary relief due to its antispasmodic properties. Indeed, many of the side effects to IBS mentioned above could be reduced after drinking Lemon Verbena before, during or after a large meal.

It’s important to recognise, however, that few studies exist into Lemon Verbena digestion benefits. As such, you should speak to a doctor before trying it for such a purpose.

Lemon Verbena for Sleep

Insomnia is a relatively common sleeping disorder found in roughly 30% of the world’s population. A further 10% of people also experience symptoms of daytime functional impairment, consistent with the diagnosis of insomnia.

How, then, can Lemon Verbena benefits help here? And, most crucial of all, is there any evidence to back the claims? 

Lemon Verbena sleep treatments have the support of a study published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Phytotherapy Research.

It saw 100 participants with insomnia take a syrup containing this herb one hour before going to bed. The results clearly established that all volunteers had significantly improved sleep quality, possibly due to it interacting with the hormone melatonin.

Lemon Verbena for Anxiety Relief

Anxiety is a condition characterised as an often incessant feeling of worry, fear or nervousness. A variety of triggers can cause it, including stressful events, life changes, and being in danger.

There is, sadly, no “fix-all” solution. What’s more, if you find yourself suffering from anxiety, scientifically-proven treatments should be your first port of call. 

But Lemon Verbena benefits could still be a good choice. Its abundance in verbascoside is the primary reason why because of its calmative properties.

Perhaps somewhat unsurprisingly, a nice, warming cuppa is enough to make anyone feel at least a little better. It’s worth noting, too, that an alternative is Lemon Balm Tea, which is another herbal infusion famously capable of relieving anxiety.

Reduce Inflammation with Lemon Verbena

We’ve already established that this beverage works well against inflammation of the skin and joints, which is similar to the Health Benefits of Turmeric Tea.

But let’s now look further into this ability, specifically how it might support those living with multiple sclerosis. This condition is a chronic problem that affects the brain and nerves – made worse by inflammation. 

The answers come from a clinical trial of thirty multiple sclerosis patients, all of whom took Lemon Verbena to examine its influence. The findings showed that inflammation marker levels decreased significantly following the consumption of this herb.

Please once again seek professional consultation before trying this for yourself, however, as it might have interactions with prescribed medications.

Potential Side Effects of Lemon Verbena Tea

Despite all of this good news, there is a chance, in some people, of a downside. There are Lemon Verbena benefits AND side effects, unfortunately, so it’s now time to look at these potential health concerns.

Using it topically, for example, might lead to skin irritation (dermatitis) in the rarest of cases. Others have experienced allergic reactions after drinking this Herbal Tea. 

Those with kidney disorders, meanwhile, should avoid it altogether as it could increase symptoms. If you experience any of the above, it’s paramount that you talk to a doctor, nurse or another health professional.

This is because, while uncommon, such side effects can pose a risk when left unchecked. The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company will always advocate medical advice over reported health benefits.

Let’s start at the beginning here. The term “Diuretic” refers, in essence, to promoting urine formation.

No doubt sounds unpleasant, but it has its purposes – namely to enable someone to excrete excess water, thus combating high blood pressure, heart failure and swollen tissues. So, is Lemon Verbena Tea a diuretic? It seems likely, which is, of course, promising to many. 

Yet there might be better choices. Caffeinated infusions such as so-called “real” Tea (i.e. Black, Green, White and Oolong from the Camellia sinensis plant) have been proven to be effective.

Then there is Nettle Leaf Tea, Peppermint Tea, Ginger Tea and Fennel Tea. Meanwhile, if you’re wondering “is Lemon Verbena a laxative?,” the answer, for now, is “possibly.”

Little evidence has surfaced to confirm or deny.

Is Lemon Verbena Safe in Pregnancy?

It’s often best to err on the side of caution when drinking Herbal Tea while pregnant. Some infusions, including Liquorice Root and Sage Tea, can cause adverse complications in mothers-to-be.

But what about this particular brew? Is Lemon Verbena Tea safe in pregnancy? The consensus is that, as long as you monitor your intake, there is no reason why you can’t enjoy a cuppa of it.

Some even recommend it to induce labour, although there isn’t enough evidence to support this claim outright. What it is good for, then, is its nutrients, which can help pregnant women in many ways.

Nevertheless, if you have any concerns or doubts, always check with your doctor or midwife. There is the option of Raspberry Leaf Tea for labor, too, which has a vast multitude of pregnancy benefits.

How to Make Lemon Verbena Tea

And there you have it: Lemon Verbena benefits and side effects backed with the latest research. If you’re thirsty for more, all we can recommend is that you buy it and brew today.

Loose Leaf Lemon Verbena is, arguably, the best choice, which would require either a Tea Infuser or Filter.

Once you have one to hand, as well as the Tea itself (both available here), be sure to follow these instructions below: 

1. Use a Tea Infuser or Filter.

Put your Loose Leaf Lemon Verbena Tea into one of these accessories. 

2. Boil the kettle.

Either filter or bottled water is best.

3. Put the Filter or Infuser into a cup or mug.

A porcelain mug has the least influence on the taste.

4. It’s time to add the freshly boiled water.

Fill your cup and mug with the water from the kettle.

5. Allow it to Infuse / Steep.

Let it brew for 5-10 minutes. The longer you leave it, the stronger it tastes.

6. Consider having additions.

Some people add honey or (surprise, surprise) lemon, although it tastes best without any accompaniments.

All that’s left, then, is to sit back, relax and enjoy your cuppa.

Conclusion

Lemon Verbena is a Herbal Tea with a plethora of noteworthy qualities. The fact that it tastes great is only the beginning as, according to evidence, it also comes with remarkable health benefits.

This includes, but is not limited to, those mentioned above. Indeed, while Lemon Verbena for acne is a good idea, the same way Lemon Verbena and digestion is, it is barely scratching the surface of its potential. 

Whether you choose a Loose Leaf variety or Lemon Verbena Tea Bags, you’re in for a treat.

Blends, too, make for an excellent choice. For this, we’d recommend Lemon Verbena, Hibiscus and Ginger Tea.

Make the most of your morning cuppa with The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company. You won’t be disappointed by all we have to offer.