Guide To Lemon Verbena Essential Oil and Its Benefits and Uses

Lemon verbena essential oil (Aloysia citriodora or Aloysia triphylla or Lippia citriodora) helps us attune to the higher spiritual self as we attempt to harmonize mind and spirit, according to Aromatherapy for the Soul.

Basic Lemon Verbena Facts

Plant family: Verbenaceae

Production: Steam distilled from the leaves of the plant.

Aroma: Sweet, lemony.

Perfume/Aromatic note: Top

Is lemon verbena safe to use during pregnancy? No, according to aromatherapist Amber Duncan. (Source: "Aromatherapy Blending for Pregnancy." NAHA Aromatherapy Journal, Spring 2016.1, p. 63.) However, Essential Oil Safety, 2nd Edition, mentions use during pregnancy. Consult a professional.

Is lemon verbena essential oil safe for children? Do not use on the skin of young children.

Cautions: The oil may cause skin sensitization or make skin more sensitive to sun and other UV rays. To avoid sensitivity, use a maximum dilution of 0.9% for skin applications. Do not use on diseased or damaged skin.

True lemon verbena essential oil is expensive. The oil is commonly adulterated to sell at a lower cost. Buyer beware!

Main components:

• geranial       29.5–38.3%
• neral           22.9–29.6%
• (+)-limonene  5.7–15.4%

Source: Essential Oil Safety, 2nd Edition

Lemon Verbena Essential Oil Benefits and Uses

Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art: Lemon verbena is useful in products for oily skin and hair. The oil may also help relieve nervous indigestion, promote sleep, and support concentration.

The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy: Lemon verbena may help relieve nervous indigestion, abdominal cramps, gastrointestinal problems, muscle spasms, insomnia, stress, depression, nervous asthma, anxiety, and restlessness.

375 Essential Oils and Hydrosols: Lemon verbena is indicated for stress, insomnia, depression, and nervous fatigue.

The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (updated edition): Use lemon verbena to help relieve anxiety, insomnia, nervous tension, stress-related conditions, indigestion, or stomach cramps.

Complete Aromatherapy Handbook: Essential Oils for Radiant Health: "Lemon verbena is ideal for for people who continue to live in the past or who miss opportunities and the beauty of the present moment." The oil stimulates, refreshes, inspires, and motivates the mind and spirit. The essential oil may help relieve constipation and other digestive problems and also works well for oily skin and acne. Use the oil in sports massage blends.

Stillpoint Aromatics: The essential oil helps reduce apathy, promote living more fully in the present, access our higher self, and harmonize body and spirit.

Lemon Verbena Essential Oil Uses and Blends

Ways to use the oil:

• Diffuse the oil for relaxation.
• Use in a massage oil to relieve muscle tension and tightness.
• Add to DIY cleaning products.
• Dilute and use as a natural perfume.
  

Achy leg relief: Blend one drop each of lemon verbena and roman chamomile essential oils with 1 teaspoon carrier oil. Massage legs.

Calming diffuser blend: 3 to 4 drops lemon verbena and 1 drop vetiver essential oil.

Source: Revive Essential Oils

Body Butter

• 2 tablespoons cocoa butter
• 2 tablespoons jojoba oil
• 4 drops lemon verbena essential oil
• 5 drops blood orange essential oil
• 5 drops vanilla oleoresin
• 6 drops rosewood essential oil

Melt cocoa butter and jojoba oil over low heat. Remove from heat. Stir in essential oils. Pour mixture into glass container. Let cool. Apply to dry skin or cracked feet as needed.

Foot Bath

• 5 drops lemon verbena  
• 3 drops tea tree essential oil
• 2 tablespoons hemp seed oil (other carrier oils also work)
• 2 tablespoons Epsom salt

Blend all ingredients. Stir into to a basin of warm water. Soak feet.

Adapted from Eden's Garden

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Photo Credit: H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons