Verbena – Lemon
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Botanical Name |
Aloysia triphylla |
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Family |
Verbenaceae |
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Other Names |
A. citriodora, herb Louisa, Lippia citriodora, L. triphylla, verbana, Verbena triphylla, |
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Description |
Deciduous perennial bushy shrub up to 150cm/5ft, woody stem, small pale purple flowers in clusters Leaves: whorls of 3 or 4, lanceolate up to 10cm long with lateral veins |
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Native to |
Chile, Argentina |
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Cultivated in |
Mediterranean, Europe, Africa |
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Parts Used |
Leaves |
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Cultivation |
Cannot survive under 4C |
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Actions |
Antiseptic, antipyretic, antispasmodic, carminative, detoxifying, digestive, febrifuge, hepatobiliary, stimulant, sedative, stomachic |
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Extraction |
Steam distillation of herb |
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Constituents |
Volatile oil –citral (30-35%), cineole, limonene, dipentene, linalool, borneol, nerol, geraniol, c9-aldehyde. Flavonoids –apigenin, diosmetin, luteolin glycosides, eupatorin, eupafolin Iridoids –verbascoside, geniposidic acid |
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Culinary Uses |
Fish dishes, sauces, fruit salads |
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Digestive |
Cramps, indigestion, liver |
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Nervous system |
Anxiety. Insomnia, nervous tension, stress |
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Other Uses |
Perfume |
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Caution |
Often adulterated Use with caution |