MEDICINAL PLANTS

A plant that can reach two meters in height. It is a shrub, as the branches are somewhat lignified. The leaves are long and are joined to the stem by a knot, grouping three in number, although sometimes it may appear four. The stem is binding directly, there is almost no petiole. The leaves are rough, with the outgoing principal vein on the underside of it. Are entire, undivided, and exude a pleasant lemon scent. It comes from South America and in our country is grown in gardens and pots for their aroma, and as an ornamental.

FLOWERING

Flowering occurs in summer months. The flowers are small and arranged in a herringbone pattern, which emerges from the axils of the uppermost part of the plant. It is lilac or violet light. Harvesting is done twice a year, in July and October, when it comes to collecting both the leaves and the flowering plant.

APPLICATIONS

The leaves contain essentially consisting of one hundred and twenty constituents among which is citral, which is more than 30% of the total. To a lesser amount can be found limonene, linalool, cineole, terpineol, and called sesquiterpene caryophyllene aldehyde-eupeptic responsible for his action, though some is also attributed spasmolytic action. The essence has carminative properties, appetizers, eupeptic, spasmolytic and antihistamine, in addition to releasing a pleasant aroma that helps to improve the taste of the infusion. The use of lemon verbena is common in cases of sluggish digestion, gastrointestinal spasms, dyspepsia, bloating, gastritis, vomiting, anorexia, dysmenorrhea, headache, indigestion, and stomach aches heavy, being all very used in folk medicine.

ADMINISTRATION

Infusion. Fifteen grams are added to the plant flowers and leaves of lemon verbena on a liter of water than we previously boiled and removed from the fire, leaving it in contact for fifteen minutes, then filtered, thus obtaining a liquid to be taken by morning (fasting), mid-afternoon and before bed-always preferably on an empty stomach, thus relieving stomach pains, vomiting, heavy digestions and inappetence. It may take more than three cups a day.
Fluid extract. It is in the market. It can be administered by drops, with the appropriate dose fifteen drops in half glass of water after the two main meals.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Verbenaceae
HABITAT: South America
FLOWERING: Summer
PART USED: Leaves, flowering plant
CASTILIAN: Hierba luisa, verbena olorosa
CATALAN: Marialluïsa

USES

Fort difficult digestion, Moderate Dysmenorrheas, Mild headaches.