Lemon Verbena
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Lemon Verbena (Aloysia triphylla (Aloysia citrodora)) is a dietary supplement with 8 published peer-reviewed studies involving 206 participants, researched for Anti-inflammatory & Joint Health, Antioxidant, Weight & Sleep.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Anti-inflammatory & Joint Health
ModerateAntioxidant, Weight & Sleep
StrongResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Anti-inflammatory & Joint Health
Lemon verbena extract + fish oil omega-3 for joint management
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled
Purpose
Lemon verbena extract + fish oil omega-3 for joint management
Dose
400mg lemon verbena + 400mg omega-3 daily
Participants
45 adults with chronic joint pain
Duration
9 weeks
Results
Significantly reduced joint pain and stiffness. MMP-3 levels (joint degradation marker) reduced. Antioxidant status significantly improved versus placebo.
How They Measured It
Joint pain VAS, WOMAC, anti-inflammatory biomarkers, MMP-3
Antioxidant and anti-cancer properties of lemon verbena in vitro and in vivo
Study Type
Antioxidant and antiproliferative study
Purpose
Antioxidant and anti-cancer properties of lemon verbena in vitro and in vivo
Dose
Various concentrations
Participants
In vitro and animal model
Duration
4 weeks
Results
Potent antioxidant activity and significant antiproliferative effects against cancer cell lines. Verbascoside and luteolin primary bioactives.
How They Measured It
DPPH, FRAP, cell viability against cancer lines, animal antioxidant markers
Antioxidant, Weight & Sleep
Antioxidant activity of lemon verbena infusion and thermal stability
Study Type
Antioxidant study
Purpose
Antioxidant activity of lemon verbena infusion and thermal stability
Dose
Standard infusion (5g herb/250mL)
Participants
In vitro analytical study
Duration
N/A
Results
High antioxidant activity comparable to green tea. Thermally stable. Verbascoside identified as primary antioxidant compound.
How They Measured It
DPPH radical scavenging, Folin-Ciocalteu polyphenol content, thermal stability testing
Lemon verbena antioxidant effects on exercise-induced oxidative stress
Study Type
Exercise recovery study
Purpose
Lemon verbena antioxidant effects on exercise-induced oxidative stress
Dose
400mg lemon verbena extract daily
Participants
21 active volunteers
Duration
15 days
Results
Significantly reduced exercise-induced oxidative stress and muscle damage. Faster antioxidant recovery post-exercise. Supports application in athletes.
How They Measured It
MDA, GSH, catalase, SOD; CK, LDH muscle damage markers
Lemon verbena for satiety and weight management in overweight individuals
Study Type
Weight management trial
Purpose
Lemon verbena for satiety and weight management in overweight individuals
Dose
600mg lemon verbena extract daily
Participants
54 overweight adults
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Significantly improved satiety scores and reduced body weight versus placebo. GLP-1 and PYY satiety hormone enhancement proposed as mechanism.
How They Measured It
Body weight, BMI, satiety questionnaire, lipid profile
Lemon verbena effects on sleep quality in adults with mild insomnia
Study Type
Sleep quality trial
Purpose
Lemon verbena effects on sleep quality in adults with mild insomnia
Dose
400mg at bedtime
Participants
46 adults with mild insomnia
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Significantly improved PSQI scores, sleep onset latency, and subjective sleep quality. No dependency or daytime sedation observed.
How They Measured It
PSQI, sleep diary, morning alertness
Anti-inflammatory mechanisms of lemon verbena polyphenols
Study Type
Anti-inflammatory mechanism study
Purpose
Anti-inflammatory mechanisms of lemon verbena polyphenols
Dose
Verbascoside and luteolin concentrations
Participants
In vitro macrophage cells
Duration
N/A
Results
Polyphenols (verbascoside, luteolin, apigenin) significantly inhibited COX-2 and NF-kB with potency comparable to ibuprofen in COX-2 inhibition assays.
How They Measured It
COX-1/COX-2 inhibition, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, NF-kB activation
Lemon verbena effect on chronic fatigue and physical performance
Study Type
Antifatigue clinical study
Purpose
Lemon verbena effect on chronic fatigue and physical performance
Dose
400mg extract daily
Participants
40 adults with chronic fatigue
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Significantly reduced fatigue scores, improved grip strength, and enhanced sleep quality. Anti-fatigue effects via antioxidant and adaptogenic properties.
How They Measured It
Fatigue assessment scale, grip strength, VO2 max, sleep quality
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lemon Verbena research
There are currently 8 peer-reviewed studies on Lemon Verbena (Aloysia triphylla (Aloysia citrodora)), involving 206 total participants. Research covers Anti-inflammatory & joint health, Antioxidant, Weight management and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (5 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Lemon Verbena has been researched for: Anti-inflammatory & joint health, Antioxidant, Weight management, Digestive & sleep support. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 5 out of 8 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
