Lemon Verbena — FarmPal

Intensely lemon-scented herb prized for culinary and medicinal use. The most lemony of all herbs. Excellent digestive and calming tea.

Scientific Name
Aloysia citrodora
Growing Zones
Zones 8-11 (container culture elsewhere)

Medicinal Properties

Carminative
Antispasmodic
Sedative
Antioxidant
Febrifuge

Parts Used

Leaves

Traditional Uses

  • •Digestive discomfort
  • •Insomnia
  • •Fever reduction
  • •Joint pain
  • •Nasal congestion
  • •Culinary flavoring

Preparations

Tea

Steep 1 tablespoon fresh or 1 tsp dried leaves in 8 oz hot water for 5-10 minutes.

Dosage: 1-3 cups daily. Delicious iced tea in summer.

Tincture

Pack jar with fresh leaves, cover with vodka. 4 weeks.

Dosage: 20-40 drops for digestive upset or anxiety

Culinary Sugar

Layer fresh leaves with sugar in jar. Seal 2 weeks. Remove leaves. Lemon-scented sugar for baking.

Dosage: Use as flavoring in baking, cocktails, and desserts

Harvesting Guide

Timing: Harvest leaves anytime during growing season. Best flavor before flowering.

Method: Strip individual leaves or cut stem tips. Regular harvesting promotes bushiness.

Drying: Dry quickly to retain lemon scent. Screens or very low heat (85-95°F).

⚠️ Cautions

  • •Generally very safe
  • •May cause skin sensitivity in sunlight (photosensitizing)
  • •Kidney irritation possible in very high doses
  • •Safe for children as tea
Storage
Dried leaves retain scent 1-2 years. Fresh leaves freeze well in ice cubes for tea.