Vervena officinalis
Other names: Aloysia citriodora, Verveine Citronelle or Odorante, Herb Louisa, Lemonscented Verbena, Verbena Triphylla, Lippia Triphylla.
Family: Verbenaceae

Description
The leaves are very fragrant, lanceolate, arranged in threes, 3 to 4 inches long, with smooth margins, pale green in colour, having parallel veins at right-angles to the mid-rib and flat bristles along the edges. The many small flowers are pale purple, blooming during August in slim, terminal panicles. The leaves, which have been suggested to replace tea, will retain their odour for years and are used in perfumery. They should be gathered at flowering time.

Parts used
Leaves, flowering tops.

Usage
Febrifuge, sedative. Louisa is believed to have a stimulative effect on the digestive tract; thus, the belief that it aids in slimming. It is also used to aid in digestion, and is believed to have a calming effect on the nerves.

Decoction: Leave 1-2 tea spoonfuls in a cup of hot water for 10-12 minutes, strain and drink 1-3 cups daily for insomnia (straight or with warm milk), nervous fatigue, colic, lactating women, slimming (a cool cup every night before sleep).

Infusion: Put 1 table spoonful of leaves in a teapot, pour in 250ml boiling water, and steep for 10 minutes. Drink for stomach aches, enteric pains, diabetes.

External use: With the infusion, we treat on aching eye, haemorrhoids, for colpitis, wounds, ulcers.

* The information here should not be considered medical advice, and you should always consult a physician before beginning any herbal therapy.