Quick Summary

Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citrodora) is a medicinal plant traditionally used for various purposes, including neuropsychiatric and sleep disorders. Recent clinical research has primarily focused on its effects on sleep quality, with some evidence supporting improvements in sleep parameters. However, evidence gaps remain as most studies rely on preclinical or ethnopharmacological data, and limited information is available regarding its safety, drug interactions, or contraindications in humans.

What is it?

Lemon Verbena is a woody shrub native to South America, particularly known for its lemon-scented leaves. It belongs to the Verbenaceae family and is used in traditional medicine and as an herbal remedy. The plant’s leaves are commonly prepared as teas, extracts, or supplements.

Traditional Uses

  • Management of sleep disturbances and insomnia
  • Support for neuropsychiatric health, including anxiety and cognitive function
  • General calming and sedative effects in Indigenous and folk medicinal systems, especially in Colombia and other parts of Latin America

Active Compounds

Lemon Verbena contains various bioactive components, including volatile oils (such as citral), flavonoids, and phenolic compounds. These constituents are thought to contribute to its aroma and potential therapeutic properties, particularly in neuropharmacological effects and modulation of sleep-related pathways.

Potential Benefits with Evidence Levels

  • Improvement in sleep quality in healthy adults with sleep disturbances (Moderate evidence): A randomized, double-blind controlled clinical trial involving 71 healthy subjects found that dietary supplementation with an extract of Aloysia citrodora for 90 days improved subjective sleep quality (measured by visual analogue scale and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), objective sleep variables assessed by actigraphy, and increased plasma nocturnal melatonin levels compared to placebo (PMID: 38794761).
  • Potential neuropharmacological effects (Preclinical and ethnobotanical evidence): Ethnopharmacological reviews from Colombian medicinal flora report common traditional use of Lemon Verbena in indigenous health systems for neuropsychiatric disorders, though clinical evidence remains limited (PMID: 41890900).
  • Possible anxiolytic, sedative, or cognitive effects (Insufficient clinical evidence): Related botanical reviews and traditional use suggest multi-target effects relevant for insomnia and neuroprotection, but direct clinical evidence specific to Lemon Verbena is lacking (PMID: 41613780, PMID: 41890900).

Side Effects

Existing clinical trials report no significant adverse effects related to Lemon Verbena supplementation. The single identified randomized controlled trial reported no serious or significant side effects (PMID: 38794761). However, broader safety data, including studies on long-term use and toxicity, are lacking.

Drug Interactions

There is no specific clinical evidence documenting drug interactions with Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citrodora). Due to limited human data, potential interactions with medications remain unknown; caution is advised when combining with other drugs.

Who Should Avoid It

  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women, due to the absence of safety data in these populations.
  • Individuals with known allergies to plants in the Verbenaceae family.
  • Persons taking medications with narrow therapeutic indices until more information on interactions is available.
  • Special populations such as children or people with serious medical conditions should consult healthcare providers before use.

Evidence Limitations

  • Most evidence is limited to a single randomized controlled trial focused on sleep quality in a modest sample size.
  • Significant gaps exist regarding safety, pharmacokinetics, standardization of extracts, and drug interactions in humans.
  • Lack of registered clinical trials assessing effects beyond sleep or neuropsychiatric health.
  • Preclinical and ethnopharmacological evidence do not replace the need for well-designed clinical studies.
  • No clinical data on use during pregnancy, lactation, or in pediatric populations.

References

  1. Pérez-Piñero S et al. Dietary Supplementation with an Extract of Aloysia citrodora (Lemon verbena) Improves Sleep Quality in Healthy Subjects: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Study. Nutrients. 2024; PMID: 38794761. DOI: 10.3390/nu16101523
  2. Brache K, Diazgranados M. Exploring Colombian medicinal flora used in indigenous and campesino health systems for neuropsychiatric disorders and neuropharmacological potential: an ethnopharmacological review. Front Pharmacol. 2026; PMID: 41890900. DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2026.1729887
  3. Ma D et al. Multi-target regulatory mechanisms and clinical assessment of natural products for insomnia: a review. Front Pharmacol. 2026; PMID: 41613780. DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2026.1681709

Last Reviewed

April 2024

Informational Disclaimer: This page is for educational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new supplement or herbal treatment, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have underlying health conditions, or are taking prescription medications.