Scientifically called Aloysia citrodora, lemon verbena can be called the Rolls Royce of herbs due to its refreshing lemon scent. It has nothing to do with the actual lemon plant; this one belongs to the verbena or vervain family of plants. It is a tropical perennial shrub that was first brought to Europe in the 17th century by Spanish and Portuguese invaders.
Originally grown in Chile and Argentina, this plant was used earlier for perfume making. The distinguishing lemon flavor of this plant has made it useful for other purposes such as using it as a lemon flavor for culinary purposes. Its leaves are generally used in fish and poultry dishes to add a lemon flavor. In some Latin American countries, the plant leaves are used as herbal medicine also.
Another use of lemon verbena is as an ingredient in potpourri. It has also been cultivated for making essential oils and liquor flavoring purposes. Apart from these, lemon verbena is widely used to make herbal teas which is known for its soothing aroma and bright taste. This article will examine lemon verbena tea, its overview, benefits, and side effects in detail.
What Is Lemon Verbena Tea?
Lemon verbena tea is made by withering and drying up its leaves in the sun. When infused with water, these leaves gently uncurl and emit a citrus-flavored aroma and taste. It offers a refreshing taste combined with a herbal finish. In most cases, the flavor of this tea is lighter and fragrant than lemongrass tea.
Even though the aroma is slightly minty, it tastes like lemon flavor and has a bit of sweetness. Lemon verbena tea is consumed for its soothing effects. Its intake has been shown to provide a relaxing effect on the body and mind. One of the positive aspects of this tea is that it is completely free from caffeine. So this tea will be ideal for those who prefer to have an herbal tea routine before bedtime.
Apart from its flavor and aroma, the tea also offers multiple health benefits. In traditional medicine, it has been used to treat digestive issues, respiratory problems, and many more ailments. According to studies, lemon verbena was found to have antioxidant, anxiolytic, anesthetic, anti-cancer, sedative, anti-microbial, and neuroprotective properties.
How To Prepare Lemon Verbena Tea?
In this section, we can detail the preparation of lemon verbena tea. To make this tea, you need to have the following ingredients:
- Leaves of lemon verbena
- Water
- Sugar or honey
Preparation method:
Take a tea kettle or pot and pour two cups of water. Bring the water to a low boil state. Put the lemon verbena leaves in cups or another pot and pour this boiling water above it. Cover the mugs or pots and let them steep for at least 10 minutes. If you want to add a bit of sweet taste, you can add some honey or a spoonful of sugar to it, this is a completely optional step. If you prefer the tea plain and simple, remove the tea leaves and enjoy your cup of lemon verbena tea.
Health Benefits Of Lemon Verbena Tea
Consuming lemon verbena tea can offer you multiple health benefits. A detailed description of these health benefits is provided below:
- Relieves from inflammation
Having anti-inflammatory properties, lemon verbena tea can ward off free radical damage and reduce inflammation in your body. Research published in the International Journal of Medical Sciences has explained this and has found the lemon verbena plant to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the body.
- Provides detoxification and supports immune functions
There is ample evidence that suggests that drinking lemon verbena tea can eliminate harmful toxins and free radicals from the body. The phenolic compounds in the formula can fight against free radicals in the body and strengthen your immune system. As per research published by Frontiers in Immunology, lemon verbena leaves were found to increase intestinal immunity and barrier function.
- Supports healthy weight loss
Metabolaid, a dietary formulation combining hibiscus and lemon verbena, has been shown to prevent high-fat-diet-induced obesity. The supplement has been proven to increase thermogenesis and decrease white adipose tissue and liver weight through the AMP-activated protein kinase activation process. The relevant studies in this regard were published in Nutrients Journal in September 2018.
- Promotes joint function
Due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, lemon verbena has been shown to improve joint function and flexibility in patients with osteoarthritis. It can also reduce exercise-induced muscle damage and can prevent muscle soreness and muscle fatigue.
- Reduce stress and enhance sleep quality
Traditionally, lemon verbena has been used to treat insomnia and other sleep problems. The plant has certain active compounds that can regulate hormone levels and relieve stress and anxiety as well. As a mild sedative, the plant can induce a state of calm and relaxation in your body.
- Improves digestion
Due to its antispasmodic effects, this plant can support your digestive system and relax your gastrointestinal tract. It can soothe the stomach and provide relief from several conditions such as indigestion, diarrhea, bloating, flatulence, etc.
Side Effects Of Lemon Verbena Tea
Generally, there are no considerable side effects reported from consuming lemon verbena tea. The plant is usually admitted safe for human consumption and for adding it as a flavoring agent in alcoholic beverages. One of the possible side effects of the plant can be some kind of allergic reaction to those who have a specific allergy to this herb.
Also, people with sensitive skin are advised to consult a doctor before using the plant for skin health purposes as it might cause a mild case of dermatitis in some cases. Also, people with kidney disorders are recommended to avoid its intake as it might aggravate the issue.
Also Read: Marigold Tea: Exploring The Health Benefits & Side Effects!
Conclusion
Lemon verbena tea is an herbal tea made from the leaves of the lemon verbena plant native to Chile and Argentina. It belongs to the verbena family and is distinguished by its aromatic and fresh lemon fragrance. Lemon verbena has both culinary and medicinal purposes. Its consumption has proven to reduce inflammation, support weight loss, improve digestion, promote skin health, enhance sleep quality, relieve stress and anxiety, etc.
Having zero caffeine, lemon verbena tea can be consumed even before sleep and is ideal for anyone. There are no considerable side effects from the plant. However, people with renal complications need to consult their doctor before intake.
FAQs
Lemon verbena tea is good for reducing inflammation, promoting digestion, and relieving various conditions like joint pain, asthma, insomnia, fever, cold, varicose veins, etc.
Consuming large amounts of lemon verbena might aggravate kidney issues. So people with kidney problems need to be careful before intake.
Some studies suggest that consuming lemon verbena tea before bed can improve the quality of sleep.
Too much lemon verbena can cause nausea and vomiting along with aggravation of kidney problems. So try to take it in moderation and once every three days a week like that.
You can take a cup of lemon verbena tea as a bedtime ritual to enhance your sleep quality.
Even though there isn’t much evidence regarding this, pregnant and breastfeeding women need to consult a doctor before drinking lemon verbena tea. Also, people with kidney problems need to be cautious about taking the tea as it might complicate renal issues.
