Lemon Verbena
Lemon verbena’s scientific name is Aloysia citriodora and it belongs to the Verbenaceae family. The aerial parts of this aromatic plant are used.
Taste Profile
When consumed, dried meadowsweet has a sweet taste, along with aromatic and hay-like flavours, and some people also notice medicinal and almond notes. It offers a well-rounded, mellow flavour when enjoyed as a simple beverage, reminiscent of summer evenings in a meadow!
Active Constituents
Salicylic acid, volatile oil, spireine (salicylaldehyde), gaultherine, flavonoids, tannins, mucilage and coumarins
Therapeutic Properties
Analgesic, antacid, antiemetic, anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, relaxant, stomachic and urinary antiseptic.
Traditional Uses
Meadowsweet has a long history of traditional use as a gentle remedy for digestive issues such as diarrhoea, nausea, and vomiting. It is known for its ability to ease excess acid and indigestion. Additionally, it was one of the original sources of aspirin and is valued for its pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties, particularly in addressing headaches and musculoskeletal issues like arthritis.
Contraindications
Do not use when there is a known aspirin sensitivity. Do not use alongside anticoagulants.
Taste Profile
Dried lemon verbena offers a rounded, soft lemon-citrus taste, with an element of sweetness and freshness.
Active Constituents
Volatile oil, mucilage and verbascoside.
Therapeutic Properties
Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, carminative, demulcent, diaphoretic and nervine.
Traditional Uses
Lemon verbena, a fragrant and citrusy herb, has a rich history of traditional use as a natural remedy for various ailments. It has been valued for its effectiveness in reducing fevers associated with coughs, colds, and flu, while also serving as an aromatic treatment for digestive discomforts like bloating, spasms, indigestion, and nausea. Furthermore, modern research has highlighted lemon verbena's remarkable ability to calm and heal irritation in the digestive system. In addition to its digestive benefits, this herb is also renowned for its anti-inflammatory properties, particularly beneficial for soothing joint issues.
Contraindications
None known.
