Verbena lemon. Lemon verbena: medicinal properties and uses Lemon verbena useful properties and contraindications

How much is lemon verbena ( average price for 1 kg.)?

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In historical books, lemon verbena can also be found under other names, including bee bush and lemon Louise. By the way, last name was given to the plant in honor of Princess Maria Lisa of Parma, who later became Queen of Spain herself. The word Verbena itself is translated from Latin as a branch with leaves, while Aloysia triphylla (the specific name of the plant) can be translated as having the smell of lemon.

There is no exact data regarding the appearance of this plant in Europe, however, there is an assumption that lemon verbena was brought here by the Spaniards back in the 18th century. And almost immediately it fragrant plant began to be used in perfumery. And today it is used by some well-known world brands.

As early as the beginning of the 20th century, lemon verbena adorned and saturated European gardens with its delicate citrus aroma. Recently, decorativeness has been replaced by the use of lemon verbena, mainly as an essential oil raw material. So, significant plantations of this plant are found in countries North Africa, USA, in Madagascar and in the south of France.

In homeopathy beneficial features lemon verbena are quite wide application where it is used as a natural stomachic and stimulant. In addition, the valuable properties of lemon verbena, which are due to the composition of this plant, are contained in its mild sedative effect.

However, it is worth noting that, unfortunately, lemon verbena is not used very often for culinary purposes. This is probably due to the fact that this fragrant herb requires a special sense in the choice of accompanying seasonings and dishes. Meanwhile, the aroma of lemon verbena is much richer and fresher than other herbs with a similar smell. Most of aromatic oils present in the flowers and leaves of lemon verbena, and in its shoots - somewhat smaller.

Lemon verbena pairs wonderfully with foods such as strawberries, some types of cheese, fish, and poultry. In addition, it is good as an aromatic additive in marinades and sauces. Various jams, soufflés, creams, mousses, jelly, sorbets and puddings always acquire a special aroma and taste if dried lemon verbena leaves are added to them.

In addition, lemon verbena can be a worthy companion seasoning for seafood and meat dishes. For example, pork ham or turkey are perfect with applesauce seasoned with garlic and verbena leaves. By the way, due to the ability to perfectly preserve the original aroma, dried lemon verbena leaves are often included in herbal teas, which are very popular in North African countries.

Calorie content of lemon verbena 0 kcal

The energy value of lemon verbena (Proportion of proteins, fats, carbohydrates - bju):

: 0 g. (~0 kcal)
: 0 g. (~0 kcal)
: 0 g. (~0 kcal)

Aloysia triphylla, or lemon verbena, Peruvian verbena, lemon verbena, three-leaf verbena (Aloysia triphylla, syn. A. citriodora, Lippia citriodora) is a shaggy dense deciduous shrub from the Verbena family, up to 3 m high and wide. It comes from Chile, Argentina .
In reality, I really saw a kind of “spinning”, loose bush, up to 70 cm high. The leaves are whorled, 3-4 each, lanceolate, bright green, with a serrated edge, lemon flavor, up to 12 cm long. The flowers are small, pale purple to white, collected in slender protruding brushes, up to 12 cm long; bloom at the end of summer.

Features of growing in open ground

It withstands temperatures down to -5 ° C, therefore its cultivation with shelter (the base is mulched with a thick layer of humus, dry leaves). In the spring, pruning “on a stump” is required or 20-30 cm are left from the ground.
Seeds are tied poorly, so it is propagated vegetatively, by cuttings.

Features of growing in room culture

Propagated by cuttings optimal time rooting end of summer, after flowering in September; cuttings easily root in water. You can plant 2-3 rooted cuttings in one pot. Soil substrate: garden, humus, sand in the ratio 1:1:1. In winter, they are kept in a cool place with a temperature of + 6 + 10 ° C, both in a bright room, and it can be lowered into the basement, watering is reduced. In the spring, with the beginning of the growth of new shoots, if prolonged fertilizer was not applied during planting, then we feed 1 time with full mineral fertilizer. Then we exclude top dressing so that they do not lead to the growth of the vegetative mass to the detriment of the accumulation of aromatic components. Watering regularly, but without waterlogging. In hot, dry summers, mulching is necessary and, if possible, at least a little shading.

Application

Tea raw materials: leaves, fresh and dry.
Tea: both tonic and sedative.
Aloysia is the "queen" of herbal teas. She is especially loved by the inhabitants of the Mediterranean, who in hot summer days quench thirst and get in shape, working condition a cup of chilled tea from fresh mint and aloysia leaves, which certainly grow in pots near the house.
Tea raw materials - grass (above-ground part of the plant; small species are cut off entirely, large ones - only the upper part); shoots are cut 2 times per season: 1st in June-July, 2nd - in October. Tea: 4-5 leaves of verbena will be enough for a standard porcelain teapot to give a sophisticated taste to any tea or collection.
In addition to wonderful tea, dry leaves of lemon verbena are used in minimum quantities in cooking, in the preparation of white meat, fish; in South America - in sweet dishes, liqueurs.
Known and medicinal properties of this plant: it has antipyretic, antispasmodic and mild sedative properties. In addition, brewed with ordinary boiling water and chilled, a few leaves of verbena can relieve toothache.
In the southern flower beds, Aloysia trifoliate is an excellent insecticidal plant: its smell drives away aphids and fights mites.

lemon verbena

Lemon verbena: medicinal properties and application

Good day to you, dear readers of the medical blog "". The topic of today's article is Lemon verbena, its use in folk medicine.

Lemon verbena|Lippia lemon|Aloysia triphylla|Lippia citriodora|Verbena

Lemon verbena is grown in the warm climates of North Africa and Southern Europe. The plant is a semi-shrub, reaches a height of up to 1.5 meters, the original place is South Africa.

The elongated leaves are arranged in whorls of three or four. Small flowers have 4 petals, bluish on the inside and white on the outside. The fruit of the plant is a drupe.

“Lippia lemon is often sold under the name “verbena”, like (Verbena oifficinalis). In fact, they are completely different in morphological and biological properties plants, but belonging to the same family - verbena. They also differ in medicinal properties and content of active substances.

Lemon verbena: parts used and active substances

● Lemon verbena leaves are harvested twice a year: in July and October, dried, laying them out thin layer. The dried leaves, when squeezed by hand, give off a pleasant lemon scent.

Medicinal infusions prepared from the leaves of lemon verbena are very pleasant in taste. In folk medicine, the essential oil of the plant is also used in combination with other plants with sedative properties.

Lemon verbena: medicinal properties and indications for use

● Lemon verbena content active substances has a slight sedative effect, although some authors deny this.

● In the pharmacy network, you can easily purchase dried leaves of lemon verbena (lemon lipppia), which are used in folk medicine as a stimulant for indigestion and.

Lemon Verbena Precautions

● Information about the toxic effects of plant preparations on the human body or other side effects have not been reported when applied.

Lemon verbena: a traditional medicine recipe

● Indigestion:

- Drink two cups of infusion of the leaves of the plant after lunch and dinner (one standard package per cup of boiling water, leave for five minutes).

If symptoms persist, you should contact your doctor.

More information about Lemon Lippia you will find

Stay healthy and God bless you!!!

Verbena lemon or Aloysia three-leafed (Lippia citriodora) - this South American plant appeared in the gardens of Europe more than four centuries ago. Even the first Spanish settlers noticed a low shrub with narrow trifoliate leaves, the aroma of which strongly resembled native citrus groves. In historical books, the plant is also called "bee bush", lemon verbena, Louise's verbena. The last name is given in honor of Maria Luisa, Princess of Parma, Queen of Spain, who adored incense and fragrant plants and contributed to the development of the Parma botanical garden. Despite the rather modest and unassuming appearance, a plain-looking plant immediately aroused great interest among pharmacists and perfumers. If you lightly rub the leaves between your fingers, then the air will immediately be filled with a delicate refreshing aroma of lemon.

Today, lemon verbena is cultivated in many countries of the world for the sake of obtaining a very valuable essential oil used in perfumery and Food Industry, where the plant is better known as lemon verbena. The aroma of verbena essential oil is subtle, candy, fresh and high. Combines well with the smell of cinnamon and nutmeg, and its exquisite taste and aroma is a wonderful basis for the manufacture of very expensive liqueurs and fragrant essences.

Often, aloysia three-leaf is confused with verbena officinalis, attributing numerous medicinal properties to the South American plant. This is not entirely legitimate, since the glory of the medicinal effect fully belongs to the unflavored European sister. Fragrant lemon verbena is mainly used in home aromatherapy for cramps, indigestion and as a sedative. Just three or four leaves, infused in boiling water, and you feel good again.
But in cooking, the plant has a wider application. Most often, young shoots with leaves are used as a "punch plant" for flavoring soft and refreshing drinks, sweet dishes (sorbet, jam, jelly, pudding, mousses). The aroma is especially well preserved in milk, from which delicious ice cream is prepared. Chopped fresh leaves and flowers are added to vegetable and fruit salads; their refreshing lemon aroma sets off and emphasizes the fruit's own taste and smell. Fresh leaves are used in the preparation of fish and seafood, poultry and meat dishes, marinades and sauces. So apple sauce with garlic and lemon verbena leaves is a great seasoning for pork ham and turkey. Dry leaves are good for flavoring tea. The aroma of aloysia is quite rich and full. It is not surprising that this plant has received the title of queen of herbal teas. Residents of the Mediterranean countries prefer to drink a cup of chilled tea from fresh mint leaves and aloysia on a hot afternoon. Young shoots with leaves are cut twice. The first time - in June-July, before flowering. The leaves of the first collection are ash green in color and have an exquisite aroma, this is the most popular collection. The second harvest is in October, by winter the leaves acquire a rich dark green color and are richer in essential oil, but endowed with a less delicate aroma. The raw materials are air-dried in the shade or in a dryer at a temperature not exceeding 50°C.

Alas, in European gardens lemon verbena has become a rarity, giving way to more ornamental crops. Today, this plant can only be found in hobbyists and in small nurseries specializing in the cultivation of aromatic plants. In Soviet times, lemon verbena was grown on the fields of essential oil state farms in Crimea and Krasnodar Territory, where it was conducted in coppice culture. In industrial plantings, such a plant lives up to 20 years. The collection of raw materials began from the second or third year of vegetation. Propagated by cuttings that root easily.

native South America(Chile, Peru) Aloysia during the growing season needs a long warm period and cool wintering. In winter, with a long drop in temperature below -12 ° C, the aerial part freezes over, but in spring the plant grows again from the buds at the base of the lignified stem. Therefore, even in the Crimea, the base of the bush for the winter should be covered with earth or a thick layer of straw, leaves. In the spring, a plant that has overwintered in the ground is cut off, leaving a stem 30 cm high from the ground or even “on a stump”, which stimulates the awakening of dormant buds and contributes to the formation of young shoots. By the end of the season, the plant reaches a height of 1.5 meters (at home it grows up to 2.5-3 m). Verbena blooms on the shoots of the current year closer to autumn. In the garden, it is planted next to other essential oil plants, the plant gets along especially well with evergreen hyssop bushes. Feeding area 150×150 cm or 100×150 cm.

In more severe conditions, lemon verbena is grown as a pot or container plant, forming into a single stem, or a stem woven into a “pigtail” of several lower shoots. In potted plants, flowering is long - from July to November. Fragrant loose brushes with small pink-lilac flowers easily hover above the ground, repelling mosquitoes and midges with a lemon scent. By the way, the aroma of flowers is somewhat different than that of the leaves, more fruity and candy. In summer, it is advisable to put the plant on Fresh air(balcony, terrace), and for the winter bring it into the cold bright room or in the basement. Content temperature +4…10°С. As a rule, in December the leaves fly around, and their new growth begins in March.

AT warm room this essentially evergreen plant continues to vegetate in winter, but with a lack of light it forms thin and weak shoots. Therefore, in the spring we cut the crown strongly (by 2/3 of the length of the branches) and transfer the plant to a pot with fresh earth. We use the mixture garden soil, leafy humus and sand, taken in equal parts with the addition of complete mineral fertilizer(30-40 g per bucket of soil mixture). Subsequently, aloysia grown in pot culture is kept on a “starvation diet”, feeding only at the beginning of the season, and then feeding is removed up to once a month. Frequent fertilization causes rapid growth of shoots to the detriment of the accumulation of aromatic components of the oil. For the summer, the plant, after preliminary adaptation, can be transplanted from the pot into the soil of the garden, into the soil fertilized with rotted organic matter. Lemon verbena grows well on any fertile, loose soil in a bright, well-lit corner of the garden. Throughout growing season she needs regular watering, but without fanaticism - the plant will not tolerate stagnant water. During periods of extreme heat and drought, more frequent watering and mulching the soil, and possibly shading at noon from the scorching rays of the sun.

This plant is for true lovers of fragrant tea. The light refreshing lemon aroma of aloysia acts on the human body as an antidepressant: it improves well-being, eliminates irritability, relieves fatigue and nervous tension, which is especially necessary for us on cloudy autumn and winter days.

Among which there are annual and perennial representatives.

External characteristics depend on the species. Verbena is able to reach a height of 80 - 100 centimeters. It has erect, creeping or prostrate stems, smooth or covered with hairs. The leaves are dark green in color, oval-elongated or serrated, can be dissected, pinnate or whole.

Verbena flowers are small, about two centimeters in diameter. Collected in inflorescences of various colors: white, blue, blue, purple, purple, red, yellow.

Verbena is native to America and Eurasia.

Peculiarities

Recognition of official medicine has only one type of plant - verbena officinalis. In homeopathy and folk medicine, lemon verbena is also used. Most often, the aerial part of plants is used, and the roots are much less common. Verbena is highly valued in cosmetology.

Verbena officinalis contains the following components:

Medicinal use

medicinal plant verbena has a wide range of actions, including:

• antioxidant;
• activating immunity;
• calming the nervous system;
• diuretic;
• getting rid of microbes
• elimination of inflammation;
• temperature decrease, fever removal;
• increased secretion of sweat and bile;
• increase in the elasticity of blood vessels;
• strengthening the walls of veins and arteries;
• improvement of blood circulation;
• normalization of vascular tone;
• restoration of damaged capillaries;
• lowering cholesterol levels;
• removal of muscle spasms;
• improved appetite and digestion;
• relief of expectoration;
• normalization of metabolism.

Essential oil is obtained from lemon verbena, which is an excellent antibacterial and antiseptic. With the ability to eliminate free radicals, it serves as a powerful antioxidant. Lemon verbena leaves are used in the fight against:

Cosmetic properties of verbena:

1. Relieves acne, eczema, chiri, boils.
2. Helps smooth wrinkles.
3. Improves firmness and elasticity of the skin.
4. Eliminates flabbiness of the epidermis.
5. Stimulates the release of melanin.
6. Regulates sebum production.
7. Strengthens and restores hair.
8. Improves hair growth.
9. Eliminates dandruff.

Verbena is used to treat almost all organs and systems.

Gastrointestinal tract:

The cardiovascular system:

Nervous system:

The immune system: allergy.

joints:

Kidneys and urinary system:

Respiratory system:

Leather:

Folk recipes

In folk medicine, all parts of the plant are used. Raw materials are harvested during the flowering period. There are many ways to use verbena officinalis. The most common are infusions, decoctions, teas, drops and oil.

The essential oil is used internally as well as externally. This tool is part of lozenges, lozenges, cough tablets, throat sprays, ointments, eye drops. Used for inhalation.

Decoction

Indications:

• respiratory diseases;
• as a diaphoretic.

Preparation of tincture:

1. Pour a tablespoon of verbena herb with a glass of boiling water.
2. Keep 30 minutes in a water bath.
3. Strain.

Application: Drink 50 ml of decoction 3 times a day.

Indications:

• migraine;
• nervous disorders;
• menstrual irregularities;
• pain during menstruation;
• atherosclerosis;
• thrombosis;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• cold.

Cooking:

1. 2 tablespoons of herbs pour 250 ml of boiling water.
2. Leave for an hour.
3. Strain.

Application: Drink one glass twice a day. In order to prevent atherosclerosis and thrombosis, take an infusion of a tablespoon during the day every hour.

Rinses and lotions

Indications:

Cooking:

1. Pour 1 tablespoon of herbs with 1 cup of boiling water.
2. Leave for an hour.
3. Strain.

Application for rinsing:

1. Take a third of a glass of infusion.
2. Rinse your mouth 4 times a day 30 minutes before meals.

Application for lotions:

1. Place a compress on the affected area.
2. Keep for 40 minutes.

Oil

Indications:

• vasospasm;
• hematomas;
• bruises.

Application:

1. Apply a few drops of oil to the affected area.
2. Rub in.

The procedure may be accompanied by a feeling of warmth and light indication.

Attention! Verbena treatment in most cases must be combined with other, stronger drugs.

Verbena is used in cosmetology. The oil is useful to add to creams, lotions and shampoos. With the help of infusions and decoctions, you can rinse the strands or wipe the skin.

You can also learn about the benefits of verbena essential oil in the video:

Verbena oil is suitable for oily curls. The tool is recommended to be used in the following ways:

1. Shampoo enrichment: add 3-4 drops per 5 ml of shampoo.
2. As a rinse aid: add a few drops of verbena oil to a liter of warm boiled water. Rinse your hair immediately before the oil has had time to turn into balls.
3. Aroma combing. Apply 3 drops of ether to a comb with rare teeth. Slowly run through the curls for 5-10 minutes.
4. Preparation of masks: 5 drops of funds for 3-4 tablespoons of any base oil.

Anti-dandruff mask

Ingredients:

Cooking:

1. Melt honey in a water bath.
2. Mix all components until a homogeneous consistency is obtained.

Application:

1. Rub the composition into the scalp and root area for 10 minutes.
2. Wear a shower cap or plastic bag.
3. Wait an hour.
4. wash away warm water with shampoo.

Carry out the procedure once a week for one month. If necessary, repeat the course after 30 days.

Composition for hair care

1. Pour 3 tablespoons of raw materials with 0.5 liters of boiling water.
2. Boil 5 minutes.
3. Leave for an hour.

Apply warm. You can add decoctions of other plants.

A large number of medicinal and beneficial properties of this wonderful plant makes you think about growing it on your own personal plot. To do this, you need to know how landing and subsequent care takes place.

Important! Long-term use of verbena-based products can cause irritation of the intestinal mucosa.

A contraindication to the use of verbena for cosmetic purposes is individual intolerance. manifested as an allergic reaction.

Among the many types of verbena, verbena officinalis and lemon are the most valuable for human health. These plants also have a beneficial effect on the hair and scalp. Verbena-based products are quite easy to prepare and use at home.