Lippia javanica

Common names: fever tea, lemon bush (English); koorsbossie, beukesbossie, lemoenbossie (Afrikaans); mutswane, umsutane (Swati); inzinziniba (Xhosa); umsuzwane, umswazi (Zulu); musukudu, bokhukhwane (Tswana)

African Lemon Verbena (Lippia javanica)

Is a high woody shrub growing up to 2 meters. It is widespread throughout large parts of South Africa and tropical Africa including Botswana, Swaziland, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, Tanzania, and Kenya.

Lemon-like fragrance

Studies on L. javanica oil shown that it hold positive effect such as anticancer, antidiabetic, antimalarial, antimicrobial and antioxidant.

Used in traditional medicine and as a general tonic, The leaves, twigs and roots are used as a general health tonic in tea. and steamed to help with coughs and bronchial infections.

Soothe rashes and scratches, treats lice and scabies.

This plant contains a volatile oil with a lemon-like scent that naturally repels insects and rodents. Grown in South Africa for essential oil production, it has been used to create a mosquito-repellent candle (developed by CSIR based on traditional knowledge).

• The leaves have aromatic oil glands and release a strong fragrance when rubbed.
• The essential oil is extracted via steam distillation from leaves and flowers.
• The flavor varies (lemony, cinnamon, eucalyptus, or mint) even within the same species.
• For mosquito repellents, manufacturers often blend it with lemongrass or other oils to achieve a consistent scent.