Have you ever heard of Lemon Verbena Tea? You might know it as verbena or vervaine. No matter the name, this powerful herbal tea has long been praised for its numerous health benefits and delicate flavor. In today's post, we'll dive into the intriguing history of this lesser-known tea, learn how to prepare and serve it, and discuss several delicious combinations with other ingredients. Join me as we discover the wonders of Lemon Verbena Tea.
The History of Lemon Verbena Tea
Lemon Verbena, scientifically known as Aloysia citrodora, originates from South America - primarily Argentina, Chile, and Peru. It was brought to Europe by Spanish explorers in the 17th century, where it quickly gained fame as a decorative plant and culinary herb. Its unique lemony scent and taste made it a popular addition to various dishes and beverages, including the aromatic Lemon Verbena Tea. Lemon Verbena Tea first made its way to France at the end of the 18th century. The popularity of lemon verbena tea was boosted when French botanist Philibert Commerson noticed the plant during his botanical circumnavigation of Buenos Aires in 1767.
Later, Joseph Dombey's importation of the plant from Lima to Cadiz unfortunately ended with it being seized at customs and left to rot - yet amazingly Lemon Verbena survived despite these dire circumstances! In time, Charles Louis L'Héritier de Brutelle published it as Verbena triphylla in his Stirpes Novae publication of 1785, cementing its place among European herbal teas. Afterwards, lemon verbena quickly became popular and was used in various dishes as well as for medicinal purposes.
Different names and properties of Lemon Verbena Tea
Verbena or Vervaine Depending on where you're from or what traditions you follow, you might know Lemon Verbena Tea by different monikers. In France, for instance, it's often called Vervaine, while in Spanish-speaking countries, you'll find it referred to as Verbena. Regardless of the name, the tea carries the same enticing aroma and fantastic health benefits. Lemon verbena has many botanical properties that make it unique from other plants. Its leaves are thin, lanceolate-shaped with serrated edges and have a strong citrus scent. The flowers are white or pale pink in color and grow in small clusters on the tips of branches. The woody stems are square shaped and can reach up to two meters tall when mature. Lemon verbena also produces an essential oil which contains citral, geraniol, nerol, limonene, citronellal among other compounds which contribute to its signature lemony aroma. Additionally, its leaves contain flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol which give lemon verbena antioxidant properties that may help boost immunity and reduce inflammation in the body. All these factors combined make lemon verbena one of nature’s most powerful healing herbs!
Health Benefits of Lemon Verbena Tea
Lemon Verbena Tea is a veritable treasure trove of health benefits, which include: -
Digestive Aid: Lemon Verbena has properties that help alleviate abdominal cramps, bloating, and other digestive issues.
Stress Relief: The calming aroma and mild sedative properties of Lemon Verbena Tea make it an excellent natural remedy for stress and anxiety.
Immune Support: This herbal tea is packed with antioxidants that boost your immune system and help fight off illnesses.
Anti-Inflammatory: Lemon Verbena Tea may reduce inflammation, providing relief for arthritis and other similar conditions.
What Other Ingredients to Mix with Lemon Verbena Tea
You can enjoy Lemon Verbena Tea on its own or create delightful combinations with other ingredients. Some popular pairings are:
Ginger, for added warmth and digestive benefits
Lavender, to enhance relaxation and stress relief
Peppermint, for a refreshing zing and a soothing effect on the stomach
Green tea, to supplement the antioxidant properties and create a more robust flavor profile
Lemon Verbena Tea is can it be enjoyed on its own, but you can also mix it with other ingredients to create unique flavor combinations. Whether you prefer hot or cold tea, there are countless recipes for Lemon Verbena Tea that will tantalize your taste buds.
Here are four of the most popular recipes for Lemon Verbena Tea:
Relaxing Lavender and Lemon Verbena Iced Tea
This is is a delicious and refreshing beverage to enjoy in warm weather. This herbal tea is packed with antioxidants and calming ingredients that promote relaxation while supporting your immune system. To make this soothing iced tea, you will need fresh or dried lavender flowers, dried lemon verbena leaves, boiling water, and sweetener of choice. To begin, bring one cup of water to a boil in a small saucepan on the stove. Once the water begins to simmer, turn off the heat and add one teaspoon of dried lavender flowers (or two tablespoons if using fresh). Allow the lavender to steep for five minutes before turning off the heat completely.
Next, add one teaspoon of dried lemon verbena leaves (or two tablespoons if using fresh) to an infuser and place it in a teacup. Pour the hot lavender-infused water over the infuser, cover with a lid or plate and steep for another five minutes. Finally, remove the infuser from the cup and let cool for several minutes. Add sweetener as desired—such as honey or sugar—and pour over ice cubes in glasses. The addition of lemon verbena to lavender boosts its antioxidant properties while adding flavor; its strong citrus scent can help boost moods and provide relief from stress. Together with sweetener such as honey or sugar, this blend makes a delicious beverage that you can enjoy hot or cold throughout the year!
Refreshing Mint and Lemon Verbena Iced Tea
This is the perfect summer beverage! This herbal tea combines the light, lemony flavor of lemon verbena with fresh mint for a refreshingly cool drink. The combination of these two herbs provides several health benefits ranging from digestive support to improved immunity and alertness. Here’s how you can make this delicious iced tea at home: You will need dried or fresh lemon verbena leaves, fresh mint leaves, boiling water, and sweetener (such as honey or sugar) to taste. Start by bringing one cup of water to a boil in a small saucepan on the stove. Once it begins to simmer, turn off the heat and add one teaspoon of dried lemon verbena leaves (or two tablespoons if using fresh). Allow the herbs to steep for five minutes before turning off the heat completely.
Next, add one teaspoon of chopped fresh mint leaves (or two tablespoons if using dried) to an infuser and place it in a teacup. Pour the hot lemon verbena-infused water over the infuser, cover with a lid or plate and steep for another five minutes. Finally, remove the infuser from the cup and let cool for several minutes before adding sweetener as desired—such as honey or sugar—and pouring over ice cubes in glasses.
This beverage contains essential oils such as citral, geraniol and nerol which give it its signature lemony aroma. It also contains flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol that give lemon verbena antioxidant properties that help boost immunity and reduce inflammation in your body. Mint is known to provide digestive relief while also acting as an antispasmodic agent that relaxes muscles in your digestive system; it’s also known to improve mental clarity and alertness due to its menthol content.
Ginger and Lemon Verbena Herbal Infusion
This is a delicious and refreshing beverage. The combination of ginger and lemon verbena creates a unique flavor profile that is both sweet and tangy, with subtle herbal notes. This infusion provides anti-inflammatory properties thanks to the ginger root, while also providing antioxidants from lemon verbena. Additionally, this blend helps boost immunity while offering digestive support and promoting relaxation. Here’s how you can make this tasty tea at home: You will need one teaspoon of dried or fresh ginger root powder, one teaspoon of dried or fresh lemon verbena leaves, one cup of boiling water, and honey or sugar as desired. Begin by bringing one cup of water to a boil in a small saucepan on the stove. Once it begins to simmer, turn off the heat and add one teaspoon of dried ginger root powder (or two tablespoons if using fresh). Allow the herbs to steep for five minutes before turning off the heat completely.
Next, add one teaspoon of dried lemon verbena leaves (or two tablespoons if using fresh) to an infuser and place it in a teacup. Pour the hot ginger-infused water over the infuser, cover with a lid or plate and steep for another five minutes. Finally, remove the infuser from the cup and let cool for several minutes before adding sweetener as desired—such as honey or sugar—and pouring over ice cubes in glasses. Enjoy! Ginger has long been used in traditional herbal medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties which help reduce pain and swelling in your joints; it also helps promote digestion while boosting immunity due to its high content of vitamins A & C. Lemon verbena contains flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol which give it antioxidant properties that can help reduce inflammation in your body while also helping boost your immune system; its signature lemony aroma adds brightness to the infusion while providing relief from stress. Together they create an energizing yet calming herbal blend, which you can serve hot, or as an iced tea.
How to Prepare Lemon Verbena Tea
If you do not fancy venturing out into the flavoured varieties of the tea, then preparing Lemon Verbena Tea is a simple process:
1. Boil water and let it cool slightly. You want water that's around 200°F (93°C) to avoid scalding the delicate leaves.
2. Add one teaspoon of dried Lemon Verbena leaves (or one tablespoon of fresh leaves) to a tea infuser.
3. Place the infuser in a teacup and pour the hot water over it.
4. Steep the tea for 5-10 minutes, depending on your desired strength.
5. Remove the infuser and let the tea cool for a few moments before enjoying!
6. How to Serve Lemon Verbena Tea Lemon Verbena Tea is delicious both hot and cold. You can serve it plain or with a drizzle of honey. You can serve it plain, sweetened with honey, or spiced up with cinnamon and other spices.
Other uses of Lemon Verbena Tea
Aside from teas, the young and tender leaves can be finely sliced and used raw in pestos, salsa, vinaigrettes, and marinades for meats, or they can be tossed into salads, stirred into soups, or infused as flavoring into ceviche. Larger, more mature leaves should be reserved for cooked preparations and are often used whole as a flavoring. Lemon Verbena leaves can also be used to flavor drinks such as iced tea, spritzers, lemonade, and mixed drinks. Fresh Lemon Verbena leaves should be used immediately for the best quality and flavor and will keep up for two days when stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator. The leaves can also be dried for extended use and kept in a cool and dark place away from direct sunlight.