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LEMON VERBENA ESSENTIAL OIL (ALOYSIA CITRIODORA) - ESSENTIAL OILS

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BASE / GENERAL DATA

Information submited: June 2, 2016 Modified: March 13, 2018 By: OperaDreamhouse
Botanical Name: Aloysia citriodora

Botanical Origin:
Western South America

Common Method of Extraction: Steam distillation

Part Typically Used:
Freshly harvested leaves

Color: Pale olive or yellow in color

Consistency: Thin

Perfumery Note: Top

Shelf Life:  3 - 4 years

Strength of Initial Aroma: Lemony, sweet fresh, green, citrus, floral, nuance of minty back note

Blends Well With: Neroli, Palmarosa, Olibanum (Frankincense),  Bergamot, Elemi, Frankincense Sacra, Geranium Africa, Lavender, Mandarin Petitgrain, Melissa, Myrrh, Orange Wild, Patchouli, Rose Otto, Sandalwood Mysore, Lemon and other Citrus essential oils.

Common name : Lemon Beebrush, Lemonscented Verbena, Herb Louisa.

Chemical strukture: The major isolates in lemon verbena oil are citral (30-35%), nerol and geraniol. The main chemical components of lemon verbena is borneol, geraniol, linalool, nerol, citral, dipentene, limonene, myrcene, verbenone, furocumarines and flavonoids.

Citral: Antibacterial, antihstaminic, fungicide, expectorant, anticancerous.
Linalol: Antibacterial, antiinflammatory, antiespasmodic, hepatoprotective.
Camphene: Antioxidant, expectorant.
Caryophyllene: antiinflammatory, antiasthmatic, antibacterial, antitumor.
Limone: Antibacterial, anticancerous, antiespasmodic, expectorant.

Notes: Lemon Verbena oil must not be mistaken with "Spanish Verbena", also referred to by some as "verbena oil", or with Verbena Officinalis, which refers to the herb Vervain.

Aloysia Citrodora is a species of flowering plant in the verbena family Verbenaceae. Native to South America - more specifically Argentina and Chile. Within a cultivated and semi-wild state it can be found across the Mediterranean region, as well as Kenya and China. Within temperate regions it can easily be picked up at garden centra and nurseries.

It was brought to Europe by the Spanish and the Portuguese in the 17th century and cultivated for its oil. This deciduous shrub was introduced into England in 1784.

Lemon Verbena
is a perennial shrub or subshrub growing to 2 - 3 m high. The 8-cm-long, glossy, pointed leaves are slightly rough to the touch and emit a powerful scent reminiscent of Lemon when bruised.

Sprays of tiny purple or white flowers appear in late spring or early summer. It is sensitive to cold, losing leaves at temperatures below 0 °C.

Native from South America, it can found cultivated in many gardens and orchards, because its Lemon - like scented leaves and flowers and because of its medicinal properties.

It is convenient to pick up the leaves before the plant bloom.  The leaves and stalks are steam distilled for the oil which is liquid, and a yellowish-green.

It has a fresh lemony smell which is hot and bitter at the same time, so subtle that it has proved difficult to reproduce synthetically.
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SPIRITUAL PRACTISES DATA

Information submited: June 2, 2016 Modified: March 13, 2018 By: OperaDreamhouse
Lemon Verbena essential oil brings the energy of a fresh, new day, full of promise and possibility. Helps to overcome apathy, and live more fully in the present. Assists us in accessing our higher self and creates a harmonization between body and spirit. Uplifting when depression sets in.

3rd Chakra - personal power, 4th Chakra - unconditional love, 6th Chakra - perspective, clarity, expansive, protective, purifying, uplifting.
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MEDICINE / HEALTH DATA

Information submited: June 2, 2016 Modified: March 13, 2018 By: OperaDreamhouse
Therapeutic Properties :

Antiseptic
Antispasmodic
Aphrodisiac
Digestive
Emollient
Febrifuge
Hepatic
Insecticide
Sedative
Stomachic
Tonic.

Contraindications :
There is not much safety data regarding Lemon Verbena oil, but since it has a high citral level it may cause sensitization and is phototoxic. The essential oil is a delightful but dangerously phototoxic oil - use with caution on the skin even when diluted, as allessential oils should be, but it is perfectly safe in burners or vapourisers or as a linen water.

Despite this generally positive portrayal of Lemon Verbena, some people do suffer from mild dermatitis as a mild allergic response. Also, if you suffer from kidney disease, Lemon Verbena’s active ingredients could potentially worsen the condition, so avoid use.

Pregnancy / Lactation :
.Not recommended for use during both pregnancy and lactation, a due to the constituent citral.

Children:  Avoid topical use on children under 7 years.

Lemon Verbena oil has traditionally been used to ease digestion, treat hangovers, clear acne, improve digestion, flush fats from the body, treat cirrhosis of the liver, decrease stress, lift depression, treat impotency and frigidity, decrease inflammation, treat sexually transmitted infections, reduce heart palpitations, and bring the body back into balance.

Lemon Verbena dates back to pre-Biblical times, when the Ancient Celts named the plant after its ability to treat kidney stones.

In traditional South American medicine, Lemon Verbena was trusted as a diaphoretic, meaning that it stimulated sweating, and was therefore used to break fevers and speed healing for those suffering from inflammatory illnesses.

The uses of Lemon Verbena are similar to those of mint, orange flowers, or Melissa, as a stomachic and antispasmodic in dyspepsia, indigestion and flatulence, stimulating skin and stomach.

Moderate antioxidant supplementation with Lemon Verbena extract protects neutrophils against oxidative damage, decreasing the signs of muscular damage in chronic running exercise without blocking the cellular adaptation to exercise.

This oil is a fantastic liver tonic and digestive aid that helps flush fats and toxins from the body. In addition to its sunny, uplifting scent, Lemon Verbena is infused with protective antioxidants said to protect the skin from aging. This luscious elixir is also used to prevent oxidative skin damage.

Packed with antioxidants, Lemon Verbena offers vivacious protection from cell-damage and helps tissue recover after exercise. It stimulates the entire digestive system, helping the body rid itself of toxins, poisons and fats.

Lemon Verbena oil
refreshes the body, stimulates brain function and increases concentration.

This oil parallels rose in its complexity. The clear effects of the antiviral and sedative citrals are complemented by one of the most impressive cocktails of high-impact secondary and trace components. Its activity and benefits fir the endocrine system are unsurpassed. Precious and expensive, Lemon Verbena brings equilibrium and communication between all major endocrine glands.” Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt, Medical Aromatherapy.
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BEAUTY / COSMETICS DATA

Information submited: June 2, 2016 Modified: March 13, 2018 By: OperaDreamhouse
The calming effect of Lemon Verbena is said to enhance sexual drive, particularly in women.

This sedative property also addresses heart palpitations and conditions related to high stress levels and anxiety. Depression can be addressed with this uplifting oil which, on top of so many varied benefits, is also a powerful anti-inflammatory suited to skincare and the reduction of puffiness.
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FOOD / COOKING DATA

Information submited: June 2, 2016 Modified: March 13, 2018 By: OperaDreamhouse
Use the leaves in anything that requires a Lemon flavour - chopped in stuffing’s for fish or chicken, in sausages, in salads, or in fruit jellies and sweets. Leaves can be used instead of Lemongrass in many South-East Asian recipes.

The Verbena oil and plant play quite a considerable part in the food and drink industry for a flavour of Lemon.
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