Aloysia citrodora

Aloysia citrodora is a species of flowering plant in the verbena family Verbenaceae, native to western South America. Common names include lemon verbena and lemon beebrush. It was brought to Europe by the Spanish and the Portuguese in the 17th century and cultivated for its oil.

Description

Aloysia citrodora is a perennial shrub or subshrub growing to 2–3 m high. The 8-cm-long, glossy, pointed leaves are slightly rough to the touch and emit a strong lemon scent when bruised (hence the Latin specific epithet citrodora).

Cultivation and uses

Aloysia citrodora is often used to add a lemon flavor to fish and poultry dishes, vegetable marinades, salad dressings, jams, puddings, Greek yogurt and beverages. It also is used to make herbal teas, or added to standard tea in place of actual lemon (as is common with Moroccan tea). It has a stronger flavor than lemongrass.

Medicinal uses

In the traditional Austrian medicine Aloysia citrodora leaves have been prescribed for internal (as a tea) or external (essential oil) application for treatment of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, nervous system, liver and bile.

See also

• List of culinary herbs and spices
• List of plants used in herbalism

References

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