Herb Of The Week - Lemon Verbena

[Guest guest]

Some info from Perdue ... note the paragraph that mentions the essential

oil is in line with what we have heard before about the EO of this plant

- most folks have never had true, pure lemon verbena oil because it is

very commonly adulterated ....

 

*Smile*

Chris (list mom)

http://www.alittleolfactory.com

 

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http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/med-aro/factsheets/LEMON_VERBENA.html

 

LEMON VERBENA

 

 

Family: Verbenaceae, Aloysia triphylla (L'Her.) Britt.

 

 

 

Source: Simon, J.E., A.F. Chadwick and L.E. Craker. 1984. Herbs: An

Indexed Bibliography. 1971-1980. The Scientific Literature on Selected

Herbs, and Aromatic and Medicinal Plants of the Temperate Zone. Archon

Books, 770 pp., Hamden, CT.

 

 

 

Lemon verbena, Aloysia triphylla (L'Her.) Britt., is an aromatic shrub

native to Argentina and Chile. Also known as herb Louisa and formerly

classified as Aloysia citriodora (Cav.) Ort., Lippia citriodora (Ort.)

HBK, Verbena citriodora Cav., and Verbena triphylla L'Her., the

deciduous plant is commonly cultivated in the tropics and Europe. It is

produced commercially in France and North Reaching heights of 1 to 3

meters, the plants are characterized by fragrant, lemon-smelling, narrow

leaves and small white flowers borne in terminal panicles.

 

 

 

Lemon verbena prefers full sun and a light loam soil. The plant is

sensitive to cold and has high water requirements. Either seeds or

vegetative cuttings are used for generating new plants. Commercial areas

are generally harvested in early summer at full bloom and in the autumn

just prior to cold, killing temperatures. Essential oil is extracted by

steam distillation as soon as possible to minimize volatilization,

because yields of the oil are very low (14.1-11).

 

 

 

The essential oil, known as oil of verbena, contains -citral, -citral,

methyl heptenone, carvone, l-limonene, dipentene, linalool, -terpineol,

borneol, nerol, geraniol, and other constituents (14.1-11). Because of

the its high price, oil of verbena is often adulterated with distillates

from other plant material. Extraction of verbena with petroleum ether

and alcohol gives the concrete and absolute of verbena (14.1-11).

 

 

 

The leaves and flowering tops of lemon verbena are used in teas and to

flavor alcoholic beverages. The plant is also an ingredient in some

desserts, fruit salads, and jams. It is used in perfumery, especially in

making toilet water and eau de cologne. The plant is often grown as an

ornamental, but it needs to be kept indoors during winter months in

northern regions.

 

 

 

As a medicinal plant, the leaves and flowers of lemon verbena have been

used as an antispasmodic, antipyretic, sedative, and stomachic.

 

 

 

Lemon verbena is generally recognized as safe for human consumption in

alcoholic beverages (21 CFR section 172.510 [1982]).

 

 

 

 

[Note: References listed above in parentheses can be found in full in

the original reference].

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hiya Eva,

 

I hope I can post the info that helps you unlock the mystery *lol*

 

But go for the herb if you have a craving. Chances of finding the real

deal when it comes to the oil area VERY slim, and also, the oil is

totally bad to use on the skin in any way, even very diluted! So I'd

suggest getting a nice lemon verbena plant and making some of the

fabulous food recipes I plan on sharing when I get a few moments to post

later today. I can't wait to try C-M's idea for lemon verbena sugar

cookies! Yumm Yumm!

 

*Smile*

Chris (list mom)

 

http://www.alittleolfactory.com

 

 

Eva [evaedwards]

 

 

Chris,

I have been craving this oil/herb so much lately, I look forward to

your postings this week. Maybe I will learn something about it that

will hint at WHY I've been craving it...

 

Eva