Lemon Verbena: calming & healing

 We recently made a stop at our local family-owned organic store. It’s a bit like stepping back into the nineteenth century with a rough wooden floor, a wooden counter, and shelves full of jars of various kinds of flour, collagen, walnuts, dried mushroom, and dozens of ground spices and herbs, which can be measured out in whatever quantity you want, into small tubs or ziploc bags.

Some of these I’m already growing myself but have not necessarily been able to harvest yet. Having just planted more horehound this morning, I chose some of that, along with licorice root, lemon verbena, and angelica root. Today I focus on Lemon Verbena.

Medicinal & Health Benefits

1. Antioxidant, reducing free radical damage and supporting cellular health

2. Anti-Inflammatory, beneficial for joints and muscle recovery

3. Muscle recovery & exercise support: it can reduce loss of muscle strength, soreness, and damage after intense exercise.

4. Improved sleep: it is calming and a mild sedative

5. Digestive Aid: soothes stomach, relieves indigestion, bloating, cramps and gas

6. Potential Weight Management: May help reduce body fat and modultae appetite, when combined with other herbs, especially hibiscus but also green tea, ginger, lemon balm, chamomile or sage.

7. Other possible benefits: reduces stress and anxiety, possible fever-reducing, possible neuroprotective and antibacterial. Emerging research suggests benefits for mood, cognitiion, and mild ADHD.

How to Use

1. As herbal tea

2. Infused into syrups, sugars, vinegars, oils, salad dressings, and marinades.

3. Added to desserts and main dishes.

4. In beverages and cocktails.

5. As an essential oil in a diffuser.

6. Added to homemade soaps, lotions, potpourri, or candles.

7. Add directly to bath water or use as a poultice.

8. Put sprigs in drawers or with clothing as a perfume or insect repellent.

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