White Verbena Essential Oil (Lippia alba)

Overview

White Verbena may also be referred to as bushy lippia, bushy matgrass, licorice verbena, lippia, marguerite, marguerite blanche, marguerite des jardins, melisse. It is typically processed using steam or hydro distillation as a method for extracting oil from the stem and leaves.

Summary

Lippia alba from which White Verbena Essential Oil is distilled is a native of Texas, Mexico Central and South America and now, more recently, the Caribbean. It has also been introduced in more recent times to India and some parts of Australia where, in particular, it is grown as a fragrant ornamental garden plant. It is also sometimes known by its colloquial names such as Bushy Matgrass, Bushy Lippia, Hierba Negra or Pitiona.

Essential Facts

  • Aroma Description:

    Astringent Citrus Slightly floral

  • Common Name(s): bushy lippia, bushy matgrass, licorice verbena, lippia, marguerite, marguerite blanche, marguerite des jardins, melisse
  • Botanical Family: Verbenaceae
  • Botanical Genus: Lippia
  • Major Compounds: piperitone, geranial, neral, carophyllene, camphor, eucalyptol, limonene, carvone, germacrene, α-guaine, β-ocimene, linalool and myrcene
  • Perfumery Note: Top
  • Consistency: Medium
  • Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium
  • Color: Yellow to light brown
  • Indigenous Country: South America
  • Processing Methods: Steam or Hydro Distillation
  • Part Typically Used: Stem and Leaves
  • Vegan Vegan

Essential Details

Benefits & Uses

Therapeutic Benefits of White Verbena:

Anti-cancer

Other Uses for White Verbena:

The leaves of the plant can be used to add flavor in cooking.

Cautions & Safety

Contraindications of White Verbena:

May cause Photosensitivity in some.

Botany

Botanical Description of White Verbena:

It is quite a bushy shrub growing to about 1.5 metres in height with an abundance of white or pink flowers along its stems. It has very aromatic foliage and flowers for which it is highly prized.