The Other Lemon for a Hot Summer Day

            Lemon verbena, Lippia citriodora, is native to Chile and Argentina.  The lemon verbena family of plants includes 70 varieties and 800 species.  Besides Lippia citriodora, Verbena triphylla and Aloisia triphylla provide an uplifting essential oil with the most heavenly scent.  The aroma has no competition.  It reminds me of the fresh scent pervading the Costa Rican rain forest as day breaks.

            This delicate bush grows over six feet tall and three to four feet in width.  The branches are thin and bend to give the plant roundness.  Light green, lancet shaped leaves sprout from either side of the branches the leaves are rough, papery and, oh, so fragrant to the touch.  In tropical and subtropical locations, tiny, white blossoms appear at the tips of the branches.  Today, lemon verbena is cultivated in southern France, Morocco, Algeria, Italy and Tunisia for essential oil production.  Southern France is believed to produce the best oil.  Lemon verbena grows wild on the roadsides and rain forests of Costa Rica, Mexico and Central America.  Their location and the countries’ lack of accessible transportation make it difficult to produce a commercial product.  The fresh leaves make a delicious tea, enjoyed by the local Moreno's.

            Steam distillation of the leaves yields this elegant essential oil.  One hundred pounds of leaves produces several ounces of essential oil.  Pure oil contains up to forty percent citral, which produces the lemon scent of essential oils.  However, pure lemon verbena essential oil is not available or very, very rare.  Commercially available oil has lemon grass oil added, which is much less expensive and much more available.

            Whenever possible, cultivate lemon verbena in a pot or your garden.  It’s delightful to rub the leaves and experience the unique, intense odor on a summer morning.  During winter months, the plant loses its leaves, only to reappear in the spring in southern gardens.  Add crushed, fresh leaves to cold and hot drinks for a new taste sensation.

            The aroma of dilutions on a hot summer day is refreshing and cooling, relieving the lassitude from the summer heat.  

  Release a few drops into a room using an aroma lamp to enhance enthusiasm and joy.

In an aroma blend, lemon verbena is a heart/middle note added after the base essential oil.

Pregnant and nursing mothers should avoid lemon verbena. Keep away from children and pets.

Refrigerate after opening.

.