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Lemon Verbena
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae;
(unranked):	Angiosperms;
(unranked):	Eudicots;
(unranked):	Asterids;
Order:	Lamiales;
Family:	Verbenaceae;
Genus:	Aloysia;
Species:	A. citrodora;
Binomial name
	Aloysia citrodora; Paláu

Lemon verbena or Lemon beebrush, Aloysia triphylla^[1]) is a deciduous perennial shrub native to Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, and Peru. This plant was brought to Europe by the Spanish in the 17th century.

[edit] Growth

It grows to a height of 3 to 7 metres and exudes a powerful lemony scent. It prefers full sun, a lot of water, and a light loam soil. It is sensitive to cold, losing leaves at temperatures below 0°C although the wood is hardy to -10°C. Lemon verbena, if covered with some straw, cut down and kept free from very moist conditions, will also withstand up to a -15°C frost and will make new leaves in spring. The light green leaves are lancet-shaped, and its tiny flowers bloom lavender or white in August or September.

[edit] Uses

Lemon verbena leaves are used to add a lemony flavor to fish and poultry dishes, vegetable marinades, salad dressings, jams, puddings, and beverages. It also is used to make herbal teas and can make a refreshing sorbet. In addition, it has anti-Candida albicans activity.^[2]

[edit] Chemical constitutents

The major isolates in lemon verbena oil are citral (30-35%), nerol and geraniol.^[3]

[edit] Synonyms

Synonyms for Lemon Verbena are Verbena triphylla L'Hér., Verbena citriodora Cav., Lippia triphylla, Lippia citriodora, and Aloysia citriodora (Cav.) Ort. Also referred to as "Louisa" or "Louiza" in Morocco.

[edit] References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Aloysia triphylla

^ Armada, J. & A. Barra. 1992. On Aloysia Palau (Verbenaceae). Taxon 41:88–90.
^ "Anti-Candida activity of Brazilian medicinal plants" (abstract), TEIXEIRA DUARTE Marta Cristina et al., Journal of ethnopharmacology, 2005, vol. 97, no2, pp. 305-311
^ Lawless, J., The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, ISBN 1-85230-661-0

[0] Armada, J. & A. Barra. 1992. On Aloysia Palau (Verbenaceae). Taxon 41:88–90.

[1] "Anti-Candida activity of Brazilian medicinal plants" (abstract), TEIXEIRA DUARTE Marta Cristina et al., Journal of ethnopharmacology, 2005, vol. 97, no2, pp. 305-311

[2] Lawless, J., The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, ISBN 1-85230-661-0

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Contents

[edit] Growth

[edit] Uses

[edit] Chemical constitutents

[edit] Synonyms

[edit] References