Lemon verbena, which is characterized by its refreshing aromatic scent and lemon-like taste, is not just an aromatic plant; it contains a variety of health benefits that have made it popular in traditional medicine and natural remedies. In the following lines, we will review  Dalili Medical  the health benefits of lemon verbena.

**How ​​does lemon verbena affect mood?**

The scent of lemon verbena has a calming effect, as a study showed that pregnant women who underwent a cesarean section and benefited from 30 minutes of aromatherapy using lemon verbena extract experienced a decrease in anxiety levels compared to women who were exposed to placebo scents. Research also showed that drinking lemon verbena tea for a month helped improve the sleep of people suffering from insomnia, thanks to its scent and taste. Additionally, a study showed that taking 400 mg of lemon verbena daily for 3 months improved sleep quality in people with sleep problems.

**Can lemon verbena be used daily?**

 

It is recommended to use lemon verbena moderately throughout the week, as no serious side effects have been recorded from its supplements. However, information about its interactions with medications is still limited, so it is preferable to avoid high doses, especially during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as there is not enough data on its safety in these cases.

**How ​​to harvest and store lemon verbena**

 

You can harvest lemon verbena leaves at any time during the growing season, but it is best to do so in the morning when the essential oils are most concentrated. You can use the fresh leaves in cooking or making tea, or you can dry them for later use.

To dry lemon verbena leaves, you can hang them upside down in bunches in a warm, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, or you can spread them out on a baking sheet until they are completely dry.

You can store dried leaves in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to a year. You can also freeze fresh leaves in ice cube trays with water or oil for use when needed.

**Verbena Dosage**

Determining the appropriate dose of verbena depends on several factors, such as the person's age and health condition. However, there is not enough scientific information to determine the optimal dose, so it is recommended to follow the instructions on the product label and consult a pharmacist or doctor before using the herb. However, the recommended daily dose may be about 5 grams of verbena.

**Health Benefits of Verbena**

Verbena has multiple health properties, which gives it many benefits. Here are the most prominent:

. **Detoxifying the body** Drinking verbena tea helps cleanse the body of toxins and get rid of accumulated levels of free radicals.

Verbena contains phenolic compounds that are characterized by their antioxidant properties, which helps reduce levels of harmful free radicals in the body, thus contributing to cleansing it of waste and toxins.

**. Contributing to weight loss**Verbena is an effective factor in the slimming and weight loss process, as it affects certain hormones associated with appetite. A study has shown that it helps suppress appetite, which reduces the desire to eat, especially sweets. Therefore, drinking verbena tea between meals can help reduce the amount of food consumed during the day.

**. Reducing stress**Verbena contributes to promoting feelings of comfort and relaxation, which helps relieve symptoms and levels of stress. This herb has properties that support relaxation of the nervous system and relieve muscle spasms, which leads to a reduction in stress in general.

**Liver activation**This herb is characterized by its anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it effective in treating liver jaundice and purifying it from toxins. It also contributes to enhancing liver function.

**Muscle strengthening**Verbena is an ideal companion during or after exercise, as studies have shown that its antioxidant properties help reduce potential damage to muscles during exercise, without negatively affecting muscle mass growth or the body's endurance.

**Relieve menstrual symptoms**Verbena helps relieve pain and cramps associated with menstruation, thanks to its soothing compounds, making it easier for women to deal with annoying symptoms.

**Improve mood:**Verbena contributes to enhancing the general mood and increasing the feeling of comfort by reducing pain.

**Treatment of kidney stones:** Preventing kidney stones is one of the important issues that require long-term treatment, as it is difficult to determine the effectiveness of treatments in preventing the formation of stones. So far, there is limited evidence indicating effective preventive effects.

**Removing excess oils and dirt from the skin:** This plant is characterized by its ability to remove dirt, impurities and excess oils (sebum) from the skin, which helps reduce the appearance of acne and other skin problems. Despite its effectiveness in eliminating bacteria, it does not cause excessive dryness, leaving the skin free of impurities and looking healthy.

**Ideal for all skin types:** Sweet almond oil is safe to use on all skin types, as it helps improve its texture and make it soft, supple and healthy. Sweet almond oil can be combined with soap to make a sweet almond and lemon scented soap, which helps regulate the natural oil levels in the skin. People with skin pigmentation can also benefit from this oil.

**Prevention of colorectal cancer:** Lemon verbena, a plant or herb, is one of the most aggressive treatments suggested by herbalists for colorectal cancer. Research has supported these claims, showing that the sugars and starchy compounds in lemon verbena may affect the activity of cancer cellsColon and rectum. In addition, verbena extract has been shown to help prevent the spread of colon and rectum cells to healthy cells.

**Improving mental health:**

**Soothing properties:** Verbena contains essential oils that promote relaxation and help reduce stress and anxiety levels. Drinking verbena tea is an effective way to improve mood.

**Positive effects on sleep:** Verbena contributes to improving sleep quality, making it an ideal choice for people suffering from insomnia.

.** Facilitating digestion ** Treating indigestion: Verbena is an effective natural treatment for digestive problems, as it helps relieve gas, bloating, and indigestion.

**Appetite stimulation**: Verbena may help increase appetite, which is beneficial for people who suffer from loss of appetite.

.** Improving skin health**

**Antioxidants**: Verbena contains powerful antioxidants that fight free radicals, which improves skin health and reduces the appearance of signs of aging.

**Anti-inflammatory**: The anti-inflammatory properties help reduce irritation and acne, making it beneficial for maintaining healthy skin.

. **Immunity booster** Antibacterial and antiviral compounds: Verbena contains compounds that support a healthy immune system, helping the body fight off diseases and infections.

**Cold symptom relief**: Verbena is used to relieve cold and cough symptoms, making it an ideal choice during cold seasons.

. **Improving fertility**

**Menstrual cycle regulation**: Some studies suggest that verbena may help regulate the menstrual cycle, which improves ovarian health and helps boost fertility.

**Improving hormone levels**: Verbena helps achieve a better balance of hormones, which is beneficial for women who want to get pregnant.

**Benefits of verbena for pregnant women**

Verbena herb drink has many health benefits, as it is considered an excellent tonic for pregnancy, and can be used to treat some conditions that a pregnant woman may face, such as:

- Supporting joint function

- Reducing inflammation

- Strengthening the immune system

- Improving digestion

- Enhancing sleep quality

- Relieving feelings of anxiety

**Benefits of verbena for the face and skin**

Verbena is considered one of the plants that are beneficial to the skin, as it provides many benefits, including:

- Suitable for all skin types.

- It contributes to cleansing the skin, giving it softness and freshness.

- Verbena oil helps regulate the level of natural oils in the skin.

- It works to tighten the skin, giving the skin a youthful appearance and protecting it from signs of premature aging.

- It contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, which reduces redness and irritation of the skin.

- Protects the skin from ultraviolet rays and helps maintain its freshness.

- Rich in vitamins and minerals that protect the skin from impurities and scars, and help treat skin problems such as acne resulting from exposure to pollutants and bacteria.

- Contributes to getting rid of excess oils that cause acne, without leading to dry skin.

**Benefits of verbena for hair**

Verbena is used to rinse hair, giving it shine, hydration and softness, in addition to a natural fragrant scent.

**How ​​to use verbena**

 

**Tea:** Lemon verbena tea is a refreshing herbal drink that has a calming effect on the digestive and nervous systems. It can also help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the body. To prepare lemon verbena tea, soak a teaspoon of fresh or dried leaves in a cup of boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes. You can add honey or sugar to sweeten it as desired.

**Cooking:** Lemon verbena adds a distinctive citrus flavor to fish and poultry dishes, as well as to vegetable pickles, salad dressings, jams, desserts, yogurt, and beverages. You can use fresh or dried leaves, and you can also use lemon juice, but it is preferable to use a smaller amount because lemon verbena flavor is more concentrated. You can also make lemon verbena sugar by mixing fresh leaves with sugar in a blender, and use it in making cookies, cakes, or other baked goods.

**Dried plants:** Lemon verbena leaves are characterized by their long-lasting fragrant scent, making them ideal for freshening your home or office. You can mix the dried leaves with other dried flowers, herbs, spices, or essential oils, and then place them in bags, bowls, or jars around the room. You can also boil fresh or dried leaves in water on the stove to make a natural air freshener.

*Cosmetics:** Lemon verbena oil has properties that can be sensitizing to the skin and cause photo-reactions, which means it can cause irritation or sunburn when applied to the skin. However, you can benefit from lemon verbena leaves or prepare tea to make gentle and beneficial homemade cosmetics for your skin. For example, you can prepare lemon verbena toner by steeping fresh or dried leaves in boiling water, then straining and adding some witch hazel or apple cider vinegar. You can also prepare a lemon verbena mask by mixing fresh or dried leaves with honey, yogurt or oatmeal, then applying it to your face for 15 minutes.

**. Preparing lemon verbena tea**

**Ingredients:**

- A teaspoon of dried lemon verbena leaves.

- A cup of boiling water.

**Method:**

1. Boil the water in a pot.

2. Add the lemon verbena leaves and let them steep for 5-10 minutes.

3. Strain the tea and sweeten with honey or lemon as desired.

**Usage:** It is preferable to drink tea in the evening to help the body relax.

**. Use of verbena in cooking**Verbena can be used as a spice in a variety of dishes such as salads and meats, adding a unique flavor and a distinctive aromatic scent

**Verbena essential oil**Verbena essential oil can be used in treatmentWith aromas. Add to water in a steamer or dilute with a carrier oil and massage it on the skin.

**- How to prepare the drink for these cases:**

Put 50 grams of dried plants in a liter of cold water, then let it boil for a few seconds only, then leave it to cool for 10 minutes and then filter it.

Drink a cup of this drink in the morning, noon and evening after meals, preferably hot and sweetened with honey or sugar, or it can be eaten without sweetener because it does not have a bitter taste.

There is no harm in eating it daily, especially in winter, as it helps warm the body.

**- The second method: Hot compresses:**

Boil a handful of plants in a liter of water for 10 minutes, then use them as compresses on bruises, sprains, and nerve pain. They can be served hot and sweetened with honey or sugar, such as thyme syrup, a cup before bed.

**- The third method of preparation, especially for colds and flu:**

In one liter of water, we add three cloves and leave it to boil for a quarter of an hour. After that, we add a handful of lemon verbena and a lemon after washing, drying and cutting it into slices. We turn off the heat and cover the mixture for a quarter of an hour, then filter it into a bottle. It can be drunk hot with honey, but those who suffer from diabetes can take it without sugar or honey.

**The fourth method to relieve stress and depression:**

We collect dried lemon verbena leaves and mix them with rosemary, mint, bitter orange, jasmine and jasmine leaves, then put them in the pillow. It can be used alone or with a drink, as it is considered an excellent sedative.

How does lemon verbena help relieve stress and anxiety?

Stress and anxiety are common mental health issues that affect millions of people around the world. These symptoms can cause nervousness and irritability, in addition to insomnia, headaches, muscle tension and fatigue. If not managed properly, it can lead to more serious problems such as depression, heart disease, and diabetes. Lemon verbena can help manage stress and anxiety in several ways:

**Calming effect on the nervous system:** Lemon verbena contains compounds that act as natural sedatives, such as geranial and neral. These compounds help reduce the activity of chemicals in the brain associated with stress and anxiety, such as cortisol and adrenaline. They also boost levels of neurotransmitters that support relaxation and happiness, such as serotonin and dopamine.

**Improving mood and cognitive function:** Lemon verbena has a refreshing scent that stimulates the senses and enhances mental clarity. Research has shown that inhaling lemon verbena essential oil can improve mood, memory, concentration, and alertness in healthy adults, and can also relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety in people with multiple sclerosis.

**Improving sleep quality and duration:** Lemon verbena helps speed up the process of falling asleep and increase the duration of sleep by relaxing the body and mind. It can also improve sleep quality by increasing the duration of deep sleep stages, which are essential for recovery.

**How ​​to Use Lemon Verbena to Relieve Stress and Improve Sleep**

 

There are many ways to use lemon verbena to relieve stress and improve sleep quality. Here are some common methods:

**Preparing Lemon Verbena Tea:** This method is one of the easiest and most popular ways to enjoy the benefits of lemon verbena. You can prepare lemon verbena tea by steeping fresh or dried leaves in hot water for about 10 minutes. You can also add honey, lemon juice, or other herbs such as chamomile or lavender to enhance the flavor and increase the benefits. It is best to have a cup of lemon verbena tea before bed or when feeling stressed or anxious.

Use Lemon Verbena Essential Oil**: This is another effective way to use lemon verbena to relieve stress and promote sleep. You can inhale lemon verbena essential oil directly from the bottle or use an aroma diffuser. You can also dilute it with a carrier oil such as coconut oil or almond oil, and then apply it to your temples, wrists, or chest. Additionally, you can add a few drops of lemon verbena essential oil to your bath water or pillowcase for a relaxing aromatic experience.

Grow lemon verbena in your garden or in a pot**: This is a great way to have fresh lemon verbena leaves on hand when needed. Lemon verbena is a perennial plant that can grow up to 10 feet tall in warm climates. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil, and is drought tolerant and pest resistant. You can harvest the leaves year-round by regularly pruning the stems. You can also grow lemon verbena in a pot, either indoors or outdoors, as long as it provides adequate light and water.

What are some side effects of lemon verbena?

 

Lemon verbena is a natural herb that has many health benefits, but some people may experience side effects. According to some research and studies, possible side effects of lemon verbena include:

Skin irritation**: Some people may experience allergic reactions to lemon verbena, especially when it comes into contact with the skin. This can result in redness, itching, swelling, or a rash. If you have sensitive skin, it is best to do a patch test before using any products containing lemon verbena.

Kidney problems**: Lemon verbena is excreted through the kidneys, which may make it unsafe for people with kidney disorders or failure. It may worsen their condition or interfere with their medications. So, if you have kidney problems, it is best to consult a doctor before using lemon verbena.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding**: There is not enough information to evaluate the safety of lemon verbena during pregnancyPregnancy and lactation. It may have potential effects on the uterus or fetus. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid its use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.