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Overview: Lemon verbena is a lemon-scented shrub called Aloysia citriodora. The leaves are used to make teas, tinctures, extracts, and capsules. People often use lemon verbena for sleep problems and digestive complaints, but the benefits for these uses are not well defined. Lemon verbena may cause drowsiness. Before using lemon verbena, make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have or medicines you are taking.

Uses

What is lemon verbena used for?

Lemon verbena (Aloysia citriodora) is a lemon-scented shrub with a long history of traditional use as a calming and digestive remedy. Evidence in humans for any of these uses is limited. It is commonly used for the following reasons.

Note: The FDA has not reviewed lemon verbena for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here. Learn more about essential oils and aromatherapy here.

How does lemon verbena work (mechanism of action)?

Lemon verbena comes from a lemon-scented shrub called Aloysia citriodora. The shrub is in the verbena family (Verbenaceae) and is native to South America. Its leaves are used to make supplements. Products can be teas (infusions), tinctures (liquid extracts), other liquid extracts, and capsules. The leaves are also used as a flavoring and to make an essential oil.

Lemon verbena naturally contains many chemicals. Its essential oil is rich in a compound called citral (made up of neral and geranial), along with limonene, geraniol, and other fragrant chemicals. Its water and alcohol extracts are rich in verbascoside (also called acteoside) and other plant compounds called flavonoids.

In animal studies, a lemon verbena extract had a calming (sedative) effect. Some researchers suggest that this effect may work through the same brain pathways as some calming and sleep medicines (the GABA system). But this has not been well studied in people. In two small studies, a lemon verbena preparation improved sleep quality compared to a placebo (containing no medicine). Evidence in humans is limited. Major guidelines for long-term insomnia do not recommend herbal products as a first choice.

In lab studies, lemon verbena has shown antioxidant effects, but this is a general effect seen with many plants and is not specific to lemon verbena.

The benefits of lemon verbena are not well defined. Most of what is known comes from traditional use and laboratory or animal research. Evidence in humans is limited.

Herbal products, such as lemon verbena, naturally contain many different chemicals. The amounts of each chemical in a specific lemon verbena product may vary. Some, none, or all of these chemicals may have effects on the body. These effects may change depending on how much of each chemical is found in the product you are using.

How should I store lemon verbena?

You should store lemon verbena according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of lemon verbena?

Lemon verbena has not been well studied, so its full list of side effects is not known. Possible side effects of lemon verbena are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the dose you are taking or the specific product you are using. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that bother you.

  • Drowsiness or sleepiness
  • Restlessness
  • Tremor (shaking)
  • Itching (when applied to the skin)

There may be other side effects of lemon verbena that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of lemon verbena?

While less common, the most serious side effects of lemon verbena are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Lemon verbena may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using lemon verbena and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use lemon verbena?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use lemon verbena.

  • Aloysia citriodora
  • Aloysia citrodora
  • Aloysia triphylla
  • Lemon verbena
  • Lippia citriodora
  • Verbena triphylla
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific lemon verbena products they stock.

What should I know about lemon verbena before using it?

Lemon verbena is available as a dietary supplement and in products that are applied to the skin. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

Lemon verbena is available in several forms. Common forms include teas (infusions), tinctures (liquid extracts), other liquid extracts, and capsules. Lemon verbena essential oil is intended for use on the skin or as aromatherapy only. Do not take lemon verbena essential oil by mouth. Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are using, or use it as recommended by your health care provider.

Lemon verbena may affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how lemon verbena affects you.

If lemon verbena essential oil is applied to the skin, it may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some people.

Keep lemon verbena out of the reach of children.

Herbal products, such as lemon verbena, naturally contain many different chemicals. The amount of each chemical in a specific lemon verbena product can change for many reasons, including the area where the plant was grown, the weather during growth, the time of year it was harvested, and the way it was processed after being harvested. If you switch to a new bottle or a different brand, you may not have the same effects or side effects because of this variability. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.

The FDA has not tested lemon verbena products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using lemon verbena?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. Also tell them if you have an upcoming surgery planned. Lemon verbena can have a calming effect that may add to the effect of anesthesia. Sharing this information will help your health care provider know if this or other supplements are right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Severe or Ongoing Reasons for Use. Trouble sleeping and stomach or anxiety problems can be signs of a health condition. Talk to your health care provider if these symptoms are severe or do not go away.

Other Medicines and Supplements: Before using lemon verbena, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how lemon verbena could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if lemon verbena passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does lemon verbena interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between lemon verbena and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect lemon verbena. Because lemon verbena may have a calming effect, using it with alcohol may make you more drowsy.

Does lemon verbena interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using so they can watch for any potential interactions.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any sedatives, sleep medicines, or other products that make you sleepy before using lemon verbena.

The interactions between lemon verbena and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with lemon verbena is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before using lemon verbena with any medicines.

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much lemon verbena?

If you or someone else has used too much lemon verbena, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

Lemon verbena is available in several forms, including teas (infusions), tinctures (liquid extracts), other liquid extracts, and capsules. Lemon verbena essential oil may also be applied to the skin. Read the product label closely and speak to a health care provider about how to use lemon verbena safely. Do not use double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.