Why You Should be Using More Lemon Verbena

Lemon verbena is a perennial plant used since the 1600s for its leaves, flowers, and oils, both in cooking and for its health benefits. Dice up and add the leaves of lemon verbena to a dish such as baked fish or salad dressing to add a distinct lemon flavor. Or, incorporate more lemon verbena in your daily life to relieve congestion, promote healthy sleep patterns, and reduce joint pain.

Aids Digestion

Digestive ailments can run the spectrum from indigestion to cramping to bloating, and all of these issues tend to make life a little miserable. Herbal tea made with lemon verbena is one of the most popular ways to consume this plant, and the tea has been shown to soothe the stomach and aid in digestion. Drinking lemon verbena tea also reduces bloating and cramping, making it a smart choice for fighting symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.

Helps Repair Muscle Damage

Have you ever felt intensely sore after a workout? Both high and low impact workouts can leave muscles with small tears that take time to repair. These tears also contribute to inflammation, leaving parts of your body swollen and sore. According to the NIH, lemon verbena extract may protect against damage to a certain type of white blood cells called neutrophils, thereby reducing muscle damage after an intense workout.

Promotes Healthy Skin

Everyone has different issues when it comes to skin. Whether prone to acne, dry patches, or excess oil, it is difficult to find a healthy and natural cleansing product that works for everyone. Lemon verbena soap is a great natural alternative. It is said to gently cleanse and firm the skin, leaving behind a light citrus smell that will leave you feeling alert and rejuvenated. Also, lightly applying lemon verbena essential oil around the eyes can reduce puffiness.

Relieving Congestion

Lemon verbena tea acts as an expectorant, loosening up mucus in the respiratory tract when you are suffering from a cough or congestion. Congestion is a common symptom of many ailments, from seasonal allergies to the common cold. Stuffy nose, mucus accumulation, sore throat, fatigue, and even fever are all symptoms associated with congestion. Sip some aromatic lemon verbena tea to help alleviate congestion and the accompanying misery.

Aids Restful Sleep

Over 25% of Americans struggle with sleep. And not getting enough sleep can lead to both mental and physical problems such as underperforming at work and heightened risk of anxiety and depression. Drink lemon verbena tea to ease tension and anxiety, promoting a clear mind that allows for a full night’s sleep. Also, sip the tea before bed to clear the nasal passageway and allow for easy breathing during sleep. Lemon verbena tea enhances both the quality and quantity of sleep, allowing you to perform your best during the day.

Relieves Joint Pain

A combination of lemon verbena and fish oil can help relieve joint pain, stiffness, and joint function. Over 30% of the population suffers from joint pain, and there are a vast number of causes. Arthritis, gout, bursitis, strain, or a sprain can all lead to joint pain and can severely interfere with quality of life. But lemon verbena and fish oil omega-3 fatty acids improve joint function and relieve discomfort.

Fights Infections

Lemon verbena is shown to reduce or prevent staph infection, a skin infection caused by the staphylococcus bacteria. While are often mild and treatable, staph infections can also be deadly. Taking preventative measures such as washing your hands or taking proper food safety precautions can help, the NIH concluded lemon verbena may further prevent skin infection by staphylococcus bacteria in the early phase.

Eases Colic

Colic is a disorder that causes babies to cry intensely for long periods of time, without apparent cause. Parents of babies suffering from colic are often at a loss for how to help their infant when nothing seems to work. Colic often disturbs the sleep and mental peace of both the parents and the child. While the cause is unknown, breastfeeding mothers can drink lemon verbena tea to help soothe colicky babies.

Soothes Anxiety

Anxiety plagues much of the adult population, causing symptoms such as a racing heart, shortness of breath, inability to sleep, lack of concentration, and a panicked feeling. Drinking lemon verbena tea eases the mind and lessens tension from stress or anxiety. As noted earlier, the tea also promotes healthy sleep, which has been shown to counteract long-term anxiety.

Acts as an Antioxidant

“Antioxidant” has become a powerful buzzword due to the ability of these compounds to fight diseases and cancers and reduce the aging process. Oxidation produces molecules called free radicals that damage healthy cells. Foods containing natural antioxidants halt this process and protect the body’s cells from such damage. Superfoods such as blueberries, acai berries, and kale contain these powerful antioxidants. Lemon verbena also acts as such an antioxidant and promotes a healthy body.