Lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in Europe and South America, for its calming and soothing properties. Traditionally, it has been consumed as a tea or infusion to help alleviate symptoms of nervousness, mild anxiety, and difficulty sleeping—conditions often associated with “worry.” Folk medicine practices have regarded lemon verbena as a gentle relaxant and a remedy to settle the nerves, likely due to its pleasant aroma and mild flavor.

However, scientific research specifically investigating lemon verbena’s effects on anxiety, worry, or related mood disorders is very limited. Most contemporary studies on lemon verbena focus on its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, or muscle recovery properties, rather than its impact on psychological states. Only a handful of small studies and animal research have looked at potential anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) effects, and these are not conclusive. Therefore, the evidence supporting lemon verbena’s use for worry or anxiety is primarily based on traditional usage rather than robust scientific validation.

In summary, while lemon verbena is traditionally used as a calming herb for worry, there is insufficient scientific evidence to strongly support its efficacy for this purpose.