Recently while watching the Hallmark Movie Christmas in the Bayou (big thumbs up!), a particular scene caught my attention. One of the main characters, Lilly played by Markie Post was working in her backyard garden when her daughter Katherine played by Hilarie Burton approached her, reached down and ran her fingers through some plants and asked Lilly – “What are these? They smell amazing.” Her answer was, Lemon Verbena. She went on to explain that she dried the leaves and put them in small pouches and sold them at the town’s country store.
That got me thinking, besides smelling amazing when mixed with jasmine and soft musk in our 6.5oz signature scented soap bars, or in a potpourri, what else is it used for? As it turns out, quite a bit!
But first, what exactly is lemon verbena? Lemon verbena is a flowering perennial shrub native to South America although it is now grown in the North America, Australia, Europe and Asia. It’s long rough leaves emit a refreshing sweet lemon scent when crushed. Since lemon verbena is a tropical plant it can be grown in many frost free areas around the world. It loves loose, well drained soil with plenty of organic matter and can grow up to 8 feet tall. It is often called by its other name lemon beebrush.
Here are just some of the other great uses for Lemon Verbena!
Culinary Uses as a flavoring in:
- Chicken and other poultry
- Fish
- Herbal teas
- Vegetable dishes
- Marinades
- Salad dressings
- Jams
- Syrups
- Sorbets
- Infused vegetable oils and vinegars
Recipes using Lemon Verbena (Thanks Yummly.com)
- “I Heart Summer” Strawberry Lemon Verbena Pie
- Lemon Verbena Ice Cream
- Lemon Verbena Granita
- Apricot and Lemon Verbena Pops
- Lemon Verbena Scented Strawberry Peach Conserves
- Lemon Verbena Vinegar
- Pineapple Chicken Soup with Lemon Verbena
- Lemon Verbena-Walnut Loaf Cake
- Charred Green Beans with Lemon Verbena Pesto
- Cantaloupe Sorbet with Lemon Verbena
- Lemon Verbena Goat Cheese Ice Cream with Blackberry
- Blueberry, Peach & Lemon Verbena Upside Down Cake
- Lemon Verbena Iced Tea
- Lemon Custards with Lemon Verbena
For more recipes with Lemon Verbena visit Yummly!
More uses for lemon verbena include:
Beauty, cosmetic and skin care products like:
- Bar Soaps
- Liquid soaps
- Skin lotions
- Moisturizers
- Shampoos
- Creams
- Perfumes
Used as a medicinal remedy for :
- Insomnia
- Colds
- Fever
- Asthma
- Digestive Issues
- Joint Pain
- Anxiety
- Dry skin
- Rashes
Lemon verbena turns out to be quite a versatile plant with lots of great uses.. Why not give it a try in your garden this year. Live in a colder climate, try growing it potted indoors!
