lemon verbena

n. An aromatic shrub (Aloysia triphylla syn. Lippia citriodora) native to South America, cultivated for its fragrant foliage and flowers.

lemon verbena

n (Plants) a tropical American verbenaceous shrub, Lippia citriodora, with slender lemon-scented leaves yielding an oil used in perfumery

lem′on verbe′na

n. a South American plant, Aloysia triphylla, having long, slender leaves with a lemonlike fragrance.

Translations

EisenkrautZitronenstrauchcedrónhierba luisaverbena de Indias

lemon verbena

Very small cream colored flowers have lemony citrus scent.- great for teas and desserts. Leaves and flowers can be used for tea, and used to flavor custards and flans. Used for nausea, digestive upset, gas.

Lemon Verbena

(Lippia citriodora), or South American lippia, a semishrub of the family Verbenaceae that produces volatile oil. Native to South America.

The plant’s stalk reaches 2 m and is straight and bare, with whorls of pointed, lancelike solid-edged leaves. Its flowers are small, with a white corolla that has a purple interior. The fruit is a dry dicotyledonous stone, covered by a calyx. The leaves and flowers contain a volatile oil (containing more than 30 percent citral) that has a pleasant smell and is used in the perfume and food industries. In the USSR lemon verbena can be cultivated in Tadzhikistan and Azerbaijan. Under cultivation lemon verbena multiplies basically by grafts. In the fall grassy shoots 5-8 cm long are planted in hothouses and are replanted into a nursery in the spring. (They are mulched for warmth in the winter.) In the spring the shoots are replanted in the ground, 100 cm apart, with 150 cm between rows. Care for the plantings consists of weeding, harrowing, periodic irrigation, and feeding with nitric and phosphorous fertilizer. In the fall the cuttings are mulched. In spring of the following year they are uncovered, and winter-damaged shoots are pruned. Thereafter the stalks are cut every fall to a height of 30 cm and are mulched. The crop can be harvested in the third year after planting. The first cutting of greens is during blooming (in August), and the second is in October.

A. A. KHOTIN

lemon verbena

Aloysia triphylla

(trade name),

herb louisa

(trade name),

louisa

(trade name),

Verveine citronelle

(trade name)

Classification

Therapeutic: antianxiety agents
Digestive disorders (diarrhea, dyspepsia, constipation), agitation and insomnia; flavoring agent

Action

Essential oil may contain bactericidal and irritant compounds.

Therapeutic effects

Digestive regularity.Relief of anxiety.Sedation.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Unknown.Distribution: Unknown.Metabolism and Excretion: Unknown.Half-life: Unknown.

Time/action profile

ROUTE	ONSET	PEAK	DURATION
PO	unknown	unknown	unknown

Contraindications/Precautions

Contraindicated in: None.Use Cautiously in: Pregnancy and lactation (insufficient information).

Adverse Reactions/Side Effects

Dermatologic

contact dermatitis (topical)

Genitourinary

kidney irritation from volatile oil excretion

Interactions

None known.Oral (Adults) 1 cup tea 2–5 times daily. Tea is made by steeping 5–29 g leaf in 1 L of boiling water for 10–15 min then straining.

Availability

Bulk leaf: ^OTC

Nursing implications

Nursing assessment

Assess patient for epigastric or abdominal pain, frank or occult blood in the stool that may be indicative of an ulcer. Evaluate frequency and consistency of stool and amount of herb that is consumed.
Assess degree and manifestations of anxiety and response and quantity of herb consumed.

Potential Nursing Diagnoses

Diarrhea (Indications)
Anxiety (Indications)
Deficient knowledge, related to medication regimen (Patient/Family Teaching)

Implementation

Steep leaves, strain and drink as a tea.

Patient/Family Teaching

Avoid contact with skin (may cause irritation). If this does occur promptly wash the area with free running water.
GI: Encourage patients to use other forms of bowel regulation, such as increasing bulk in diet, increasing fluid intake, and increasing mobility. Normal bowel habits are individualized and may vary from 3 times/day to 3 times a week. Warn patients that chronic use of laxatives may create dependence so that having a bowel movement without assistanc may become more difficult.
Inform patients to report chronic diarrhea or persistent epigastric pain that does not improve or the need for consistent use of this herb to their health care provider.
GU: Warn patients that this herb may affect the kidneys. Consistent, excessive use should be reported to the health care provider so kidney function may be assessed.
Anxiety/Hypnotic: Inform patients that the need for consistent use to manage anxiety or to induce sleep should be reported to their health care provider. Encourage patients to manage anxiety and difficulty sleeping with other natural therapies such as relaxation techniques inclusive of meditation.

Evaluation/Desired Outcomes

Normalization of bowel regimen.
Elimination of epigastric discomfort.
Reduction in anxiety.
Restful sleep.