Lippia in Herbalist: Property of Lippia

Scientific name

Lippia citriodora

Family

Verbenaceae

Origin

Europe

Synonyms

Verbena odorosa, Lemon verbena, Cedrina

Used Parts

Drug consisting of leaves

Chemical constituents

Essential oil (citral);
Flavonoids;
Iridoids.

Lippia in Herbalist: Property of Lippia

Lippia is used as a digestive (not to be confused with Verbena officinalis ) against flatulence and meteorism, but also against dystonic disorders of children and adults, including sleep disorders (lack of efficacy and safety tests).

Biological activity

Lippia is a plant with antispasmodic, sedative and febrifugal properties, mainly due to the essential oil contained in it.

The sedative activity of lippia essential oil has been confirmed by some animal studies. However, adequate clinical studies lacking the ability to confirm that this activity is also exercised in humans are lacking.

Another study carried out on animals has instead highlighted the potential anti-parasitic properties of lippia essential oil. More specifically, this oil has proved particularly useful in combating trypanosoma cruzi infestation in mice.

However, the use of the lippia has not obtained official approval for any type of therapeutic indication.

Nevertheless, it is not uncommon for the plant to be used to prepare infusions used in case of digestive disorders, meteorism, digestive hypotonia and anorexia (for more information on this, see the article on "Limoncina nelle Tisane").

Lippia in folk medicine and in homeopathy

In folk medicine, lippia is used to treat a wide variety of disorders of different origins and nature, such as digestive disorders, states of agitation, insomnia, haemorrhoids, varicose veins, constipation and skin diseases.

As far as homeopathic medicine is concerned, on the other hand, at the moment the lippia does not find significant uses in this field.