Lemon Verbena Medicinal Uses

The lemon verbena plant originates from the South American countries of Argentina and Chile. Herbalists use lemon verbena, also known as verveine citronelle or zappania citrodora, for a number of medicinal purposes.

Function

• Herbalists credit lemon verbena with the ability to kill both small parasites such as mites and some types of bacteria.

Uses

• Disorders and conditions treated with lemon verbena in herbal medicine include anxiety, sleeplessness, asthma, cold, fevers, gas, diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, hemorrhoids and varicose veins, reports RxList.

Clinical Evidence

• A 2007 study conducted at Golestan University of Medical Sciences in Iran and subsequently published in the Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, found that a topical solution containing lemon verbena prevented the worsening of staph skin infections and eventually led to recovery in animals. The study concluded that lemon verbena was effective in treating skin infections caused by the staphylococcus aureus bacteria.

Risks

• Lemon verbena appears safe in small doses, but large doses may cause kidney irritation, according to RxList. Some patients develop skin irritation when using the product topically.

Considerations

• Lemon verbena's effects upon fetal development are unknown, so pregnant or nursing women should avoid using it. Anyone with a history of kidney disease or urinary tract problems should not use lemon verbena medicinally.