Where does verbena come from?
From the Verbenaceae family, verbena is an aromatic herbaceous plant native to Peru, Chile and Argentina. Requiring sun and warmth to thrive, it can be found throughout the Mediterranean basin, as well as in Italy, Spain and the south of France. It comes in several fairly similar plant varieties. The best known are “common verbena” (verbena officinalis), also known as “Venus’s herb”, which has been credited with magical powers since Antiquity, such as attracting love. There is also “lemon verbena” (or lemon-scented verbena), reputed to be the most intoxicating, most often used in herbal infusions. It is a plant that is fairly easy to grow in gardens in temperate and tropical regions… if you want to give it a go!
Our tips for preparing a verbena infusion
Whether for its taste, its supposed effects on the body, or both (it is even better to combine flavour and benefits!), here is how to make a verbena leaf infusion.
To find out more: Herbal infusion: how to choose and prepare it?
What are the benefits of verbena?
Known for its many benefits, verbena, whether common or lemon verbena, is an essential plant in herbal medicine. The benefits of verbena are numerous:
1 - Soothing effects to help you sleep
Verbena is a wonderful plant renowned for its soothing properties, particularly beneficial for sleep. A verbena infusion, also known as verbena officinalis or verbena odorante, acts as a natural relaxant, helping to relieve stress and anxiety.
2 - Aids digestion
Verbena is a plant renowned for its digestive properties. Its soothing effect promotes relaxation of the stomach muscles, helping to relieve cramps, bloating and flatulence often associated with difficult digestion.
3 - A feeling of fullness, a daily slimming ally
Verbena is reputed for its beneficial effect on weight management. As an infusion, it promotes a feeling of fullness and can therefore reduce the tendency to snack between meals, a valuable asset when trying to lose weight.
4 - Reduces high blood pressure
Studies suggest that verbena infusion may help dilate blood vessels, promoting better circulation and contributing to a slight reduction in blood pressure. Verbena’s calming effect also helps relieve stress and anxiety, two factors that can affect hypertension.
5 - Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
Verbena is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making it a prized plant in herbal medicine. The flavonoids and essential oils it contains give this herb the ability to relieve various inflammations. Its antioxidant action helps neutralise free radicals, which are responsible for cellular ageing and numerous health issues.
What does verbena taste like?
The aromatic verbena leaf is prized for its pleasant lemony fragrance. Some may even detect a slight minty or even mandarin flavour. These flavours pair wonderfully with exotic dishes, fruit salads, ice creams, desserts or creams. Another idea: use verbena in a marinade, with other plants such as ginger or lemongrass, before marinating sea bass or sea bream in it. Give it a try!
What is the difference between an infusion and a verbena herbal tea?
Whether you choose an infusion or a verbena herbal tea, they are in fact the same thing and produce the same result. Originally, infusion referred to the preparation technique of pouring simmering water over leaves, flowers or fruit. Herbal tea, meanwhile, is the name given to the drink obtained after infusing natural plants. Over time, however, the term infusion has increasingly come to refer to the hot drink ready to enjoy.
How do you prepare a verbena infusion?
Nothing could be simpler: you will only need water and verbena leaves, fresh or dried. Bring the water to the boil, at a temperature of 100 degrees, then leave the verbena to infuse for 5 to 6 minutes. Depending on your taste, you can add other beneficial plants, such as mint, lemongrass, chamomile, ginger, and sweeten with honey.
When should you enjoy a verbena infusion?
Unlike tea, which can sometimes keep more sensitive people awake because of its theine content, herbal infusions have no stimulating effect. They can therefore be enjoyed throughout the day. Depending on the effects sought from the plants, you can drink an infusion after meals to aid digestion, or at different times of day to support a diet, for example. In the first case, choose a lemongrass infusion, reputed to soothe digestive discomfort. In the second, an infusion of liquorice or mint, which may promote fat burning. In the case of verbena, its potential anti-stress and sleep-supporting effects make it the ideal evening infusion !
Kusmi’s verbena infusions
If you do not have any verbena growing in your garden (or you do not have a garden, which is an even better excuse!), we recommend choosing a ready-to-infuse herbal blend. And to whet your appetite for hot water, here are the recipes created by Kusmi Tea experts.
Organic kusmi tea infusions, eco-responsible and packaged in France
Since 2020, Kusmi has chosen organic. All our ingredients come from organic farming, certified according to strict specifications and regularly checked. In addition, our entire range is based on French expertise. It is in Normandy, in Saint-Vigor d’Ymonville, near Le Havre, that all our organic teas and infusions are conceived, created, blended and packaged. Finally, our products are packaged in an eco-responsible way, using bio-based, biodegradable or recyclable materials. What more could you ask for?
Organic Be Cool infusion with mint, verbena, apple and liquorice
To be Cool or not to be ? You have four hours to write an essay on the subject. Or rather, five minutes of infusion time! Being cool means staying zen in every situation. It means letting life’s little worries “cool off” while savouring our organic Be Cool infusion. If you are interested in the benefits of verbena, try it with our organic BeCool herbal tea. Organic verbena and mint leaves, accompanied by apple and liquorice, are enough to offer you a moment of sweetness and serenity while helping you see the cup half full.
Sleep infusion with a touch of verbena
Verbena means relaxation and… a good night’s sleep. At least, that is what we hope! To accompany you in your quest for Morpheus, indulge in our evening infusion Sleep. A blend of mango rooibos, lemon balm and verbena to soothe you. Do not be surprised if you end up dancing with Morpheus after a cup of this organic infusion.
