Lippia Alba, Oaxaca lemon verbena, or “Juanilama” as it’s known in Costa Rica has been medicinally used for thousands of years by indigenous peoples in Central/South America. It’s known for its digestive soothing effects as well as somatic, sedative, antidepressant, and analgesic properties. We’re currently cultivating 2 types on the property: “Juanilama con el sabor de menta” and “Juanilama con el sabor de limon”. (In English, one mint flavored and one lemon flavored.) It grows like bush, not getting much more than 1.5 meters tall and makes a series of unorganized crisscrossing off shoots.Lippia Alba is found throughout Mexico and Central and South America. It a member of the prolific verbena family. Following suit with many of its sister plants, it high in essential oils. I believe these essential oils are the reason it’s applied externally as an arthritis remedy in an alcohol concoction.
