6 health benefits of lemon verbena
Lemon verbena is a very popular herb that is used for its citrusy aroma and flavor.
Apart from the appealing citrus aroma, lemon verbena has some really wonderful effects on our body. Read on to discover 6 of these amazing health benefits of using lemon verbena.
Lemon verbena is a very popular herb that is used for its citrusy aroma and flavor. There are various studies that report benefits of using this citrusy herb. Its chemical composition includes citral (it gives the citrusy taste and offers antibacterial property), verbascoside (it protects against UV rays and wilting), eucalyptol (soothes skin inflammation), geranial (offers antibacterial property), and sulcatone (used for flavoring).
Read on to know about some other amazing health benefits of using this herb.
Prevent oxidative stress. Tea prepared using lemon verbena herb can protect against oxidative stress, as per a study that was conducted on rats. In another study conducted on male athletes, lemon verbena herb extract reduced oxidative stress as it has antioxidant property to the level comparable to the green tea and a few sports drinks. It is advised that you prepare herb infusion using lemon verbena by soaking the leaves instead of boiling them.
Fights infection. It was studied that lemon verbena reduced the severity of skin wounds in the mice who were infected with Staphylococcus. In some other lab studies, it was reported that lemon verbena also prevented the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Helicobacter pylori, Candida albicans, and the parasite Trypanosome cruzi.
Fights inflammation. Verbascoside present in lemon verbena helps to inflammation and reduce the presence of oxidative species, which can lead to oxidative stress on the site of inflammation.
It alleviates muscular damage. Lemon verbena supplementation is known to reduce oxidative stress and thus protects against muscular damage. It also decreases and maintains the level of serum transaminases, which is an enzyme that breaks the proteins for energy storing purpose.
It reduces obesity. A study conducted on 54 over weight women showed that consuming lemon verbena with hibiscus sabdariffa led to weight loss, decreased blood pressure, and increased the feeling of fullness. It was also reported that polyphenols present in lemon verbena lowered the level of fat cells.
Helps to ease joint pain. In a study conducted on 45 participants, it was reported that a combination of fish oil and lemon verbena helped to lower the joint pain as it provided anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory benefits.
