Aloysia citriodora Palau

Abstract

Aloysia citriodora Palau, cedron or lemon verbena, is a South American aromatic species, widespread in North America, Eurasia, and Africa. It is appreciated because of its therapeutic and food (condiment, flavoring) uses. It is also valued for its ornamental, insect repellent properties and sometimes in perfumery. Its popular culinary and medicinal uses have been expanded from Latin America to the rest of the Western world. Its main active constituents are essential oils to which its lemon like aroma and flavor can be attributed. Farther constituents include flavonoids, verbascosides, iridoids heterosides. In folk medicine it is most frequently used to treat gastrointestinal disorders (digestive, antispasmodic, carminative, antidiarrheal), or used as a mild sedative, cardiotonic, febrifuge, analgesic, and antiseptic. Various experimental studies validate different effects, as eupeptic, spasmolytic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, hypotensive, among others. Its sedative/anxiolytic activity requires further studies. Of particular interest are its cancer-related effects (antimutagenic, antigenotoxic, and antiangiogenic), and its antioxidant activity linked in various ways to our health