What Is Lemon Verbena Essential Oil Anyway?
If you’ve ever walked past a fresh lemon verbena plant, you know exactly how intense that bright, zesty lemon scent is—like someone squeezed a whole bunch of lemons straight into a bush! This oil is made by steam-distilling the leaves and stems of the Aloysia citriodora Palau plant, which originally hails from South America but made its way over to Europe and the rest of the world back in the 1700s.
It’s a pale green, super fragrant oil that’s packed with all kinds of good stuff: antioxidants, lemonal, geraniol, eucalyptol, limonene, and linalool, just to name a few. These active ingredients are what make this oil such a popular pick for everything from self-care routines to household hacks. Let me tell you, it’s way more than just a pretty-smelling oil!
Top Lemon Verbena Essential Oil Benefits & Uses
Okay, let’s get into the good stuff—all the ways this oil can make your life better, both for your body and your home. I’ve been using this oil on and off for a few years now, and I swear it’s a total multitasker.
1. Eases Anxiety & Calms Your Nerves
Let’s start with the big one: its mood-boosting superpowers. A lot of people swear by lemon verbena essential oil for anxiety because that bright lemon scent is so instantly uplifting. I keep a diffuser running with this oil during busy workdays when I’m feeling totally overwhelmed, and it just takes the edge right off.
Studies back this up too! One 2020 study found that inhaling lemon verbena oil significantly reduced self-reported anxiety levels in participants who were dealing with work-related stress. It’s way gentler than some of the more heavy-duty essential oils, too—no harsh, medicinal smells here, just fresh, clean lemon vibes.
2. Reduces Pain & Inflammation
If you’ve got sore joints, muscle aches, or even a stubborn headache, this oil’s anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties can help. I like to mix a few drops with a carrier oil like jojoba or sweet almond oil and rub it into my temples when I’ve got a tension headache, or onto my knees after a long hike.
It also works great for minor skin irritations, like bug bites or small cuts, because it fights off bacteria and keeps the area from getting inflamed. Just make sure you always dilute it first—never put undiluted essential oil straight onto your skin, trust me, that’s a surefire way to get a nasty irritation!
3. Boosts Digestion
You can even drink this oil (in moderation, obviously!) to help with digestion. I make a quick tea by adding 1 or 2 drops of lemon verbena oil to a mug of warm water, plus a little honey for sweetness, when I’ve got a bloated stomach or indigestion. It helps relax the muscles in your digestive tract, which cuts down on gas and cramping.
Another fun fact: traditional herbalists have been using lemon verbena tea for centuries to settle upset stomachs, so this isn’t some new fad. It’s just a tried-and-true trick that’s finally getting the attention it deserves.
4. Fights Germs & Keeps Things Clean
Since it’s such a powerful antibacterial and antimicrobial oil, lemon verbena is perfect for cleaning your home. I add a few drops to my homemade all-purpose cleaner to cut through grease and leave my kitchen smelling fresh, no harsh chemical fumes required. It also works as a natural insect repellent! I spray a mix of oil and water around my windowsills to keep ants and flies away, and it works way better than I expected.
5. Relieves Respiratory Issues
If you’ve got a stuffy nose or a cough, adding lemon verbena oil to a hot bath or a steam inhaler can help clear things right up. The eucalyptol in the oil helps loosen mucus and soothe inflamed airways, so you can breathe easier. I’ve used this when I’ve had a cold, and it made such a difference in how quickly I felt better.
6. Soothes Hemorrhoid Symptoms
Okay, this is a slightly gross but super helpful use: diluted lemon verbena oil can help reduce the swelling and irritation caused by hemorrhoids. Just mix a tiny drop with a lot of carrier oil, and apply it directly to the affected area. It’s not a cure-all, but it takes the edge off the pain and itching way faster than just using plain water.
How to Use Lemon Verbena Essential Oil
There are so many ways to use this oil, depending on what you’re trying to do. Let’s break down the most common, easy ways to incorporate it into your routine:
- Diffuser: Add 3-5 drops to your diffuser for a fresh, uplifting scent that fills your whole room. Perfect for your home office or bedroom.
- Topical application: Always mix 2-3 drops of essential oil with 1 teaspoon of a carrier oil like jojoba, coconut, or sweet almond oil before rubbing it onto your skin. Great for massages or spot-treating aches and pains.
- Tea: Add 1-2 drops to a mug of warm water, stir in a little honey or lemon, and sip slowly for a calming digestive boost. Never drink undiluted essential oil!
- Household cleaner: Mix 10 drops of lemon verbena oil with a cup of water and a teaspoon of dish soap to make a natural all-purpose cleaner for your countertops, floors, or bathrooms.
- Insect repellent: Mix 15 drops of oil with 2 cups of water in a spray bottle, and spritz around doorways, windowsills, or your patio furniture to keep bugs away.
How to Make Homemade Lemon Verbena Essential Oil
Okay, let’s talk about making your own lemon verbena essential oil at home. Now, this isn’t the same as the steam-distilled professional stuff you buy from a health store—this is a homemade infused oil, which is super easy to make and works just as well for most everyday uses. Let’s walk through the steps:
Step-by-Step Homemade Infused Lemon Verbena Oil
- First, grab a bunch of fresh lemon verbena stems and leaves. You can grow your own plant (it’s super easy, by the way!) or buy a bunch from your local farmers’ market. Make sure you wash them really well and pat them completely dry—any moisture can make the oil go bad.
- Chop the leaves and stems into small pieces, then pack them tightly into a clean, glass jar. You want to fill the jar about halfway full with the plant material.
- Pour a carrier oil over the plant material, making sure it’s completely covered. Good options are olive oil or grapeseed oil, since they have a long shelf life and don’t overpower the lemon scent.
- Seal the jar tightly, then set it in a cool, dark place for 2-3 weeks. Every day or so, give the jar a little shake to make sure the plant material is fully soaking in the oil.
- After 2-3 weeks, strain out the plant material using a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth. You can use a coffee filter if you want it to be extra clear, but a regular sieve works just fine.
- Pour the finished oil into a clean, dark glass bottle, and store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. It should last for about 6 months to a year.
Pro tip: If you want a stronger scent, add more fresh lemon verbena when you infuse the oil, or let it soak for an extra week. I like to make a big batch every spring, so I have it on hand all summer long!
Lemon Verbena Essential Oil Side Effects & Safety Tips
Now, before you go dousing yourself in this oil, let’s talk about the important safety stuff. Like all essential oils, lemon verbena oil can cause side effects if you use it wrong, so it’s super important to be careful.
- Photosensitivity: This is the biggest one! Lemon verbena oil can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so if you apply it topically, avoid going out in the sun for at least 24 hours. I learned this the hard way once—put some oil on my arms, went to the beach, and ended up with a really bad sunburn. Don’t make my mistake!
- Nausea: If you inhale too much of the oil, or drink too strong of a tea, it can make you feel nauseous. Stick to the recommended doses, and if you start feeling queasy, step outside for some fresh air.
- Allergic reactions: Some people are allergic to plants in the verbena family, so always do a patch test before using the oil topically. Put a tiny drop of diluted oil on your inner elbow, wait 24 hours, and if there’s no redness or itching, it’s safe to use.
- Who should avoid it: Pregnant people and young children should not use lemon verbena essential oil internally, and should be extra careful with topical use, since it can be harmful to developing bodies. If you’re taking any medications—especially blood pressure meds, diabetes drugs, or antidepressants—talk to your doctor before using this oil, since it can interact with some prescriptions.
At the end of the day, as long as you use it responsibly, lemon verbena essential oil is a safe, amazing addition to your self-care routine. I can’t recommend it enough!
Final Thoughts on Lemon Verbena Essential Oil
Whether you’re looking for a natural way to calm your nerves, ease a sore muscle, clean your home, or just make your space smell like fresh lemons, lemon verbena essential oil is such a versatile product. I love that it’s easy to make at home, and even easier to use in so many different ways.
Just remember to always dilute it, do a patch test, and talk to your doctor if you’re unsure about using it. And if you’ve never tried it before, grab a small bottle (or make your own infused oil) and give it a go—you won’t be disappointed!
References
1. https://www.sid.ir/En/Journal/ViewPaper.aspx?ID=330022
2. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/225070004
3. http://www.sbpmed.org.br/download/issn064/8esp130135.pdf
4. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0972060X.2013.854494
5. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378874106004600
