wild verbena

[Guest guest]

I know that Lemon Verbena is a very popular scent amongst natural

perfumers.... but does anyone else use Wild Verbena? " Lippia Javanica "

When I ordered this some time ago I was under the impression that I

was ordering Lemon Verbena. I was startled by the scent, and it sat

unused for almost a year. I've gotten it back out again, and have

discovered it's lovely creamy herbal scent. I would like to use it in

a men's perfume blend. Any suggestions for a good partner for this oil?

Rose

[Guest guest]

> When I ordered this some time ago I was under the impression

> that I was ordering Lemon Verbena. I was startled by the

> scent, and it sat unused for almost a year. I've gotten it

> back out again, and have discovered it's lovely creamy herbal

> scent. I would like to use it in a men's perfume blend. Any

> suggestions for a good partner for this oil?

>

> Rose

>

Hi Rose,

There are several Lippia species used in perfumery. Lippia alba (White

verbena oil) comes from Paraguay, is rather terpenic in odor with a hint of

wood. Dry out is smoky/woody, kind of like Guiacwood. Lippia citriodora

(lemon verbena) is steam distilled and made into an absolute. The plant for

the absolute (called Vervain - However, note: true Vervain is obtained from

Verbena officinalis an herbaceous plant commonly found in Europe and usually

steam distilled) has been transplanted to France from S. Africa for

cultivation and processed into concrete/absolute for perfumery. I do not

have a great deal of experience with this myself, however, I know that IFRA

recommends its use at .2% in final product. Beware of Verbena/Vervain oils

as they are often adulterated by co-distillation w/ lemon oil. The

authentic verbena essential oil has a thymelike top note and the strong

lemon odor is slightly linalolic. Real verbena will also have a soapy note

on drydown. A lot of herbaceous distillations do not have a long shelf

life, and true verbena steam distilled certainly would be oxidized by now if

you have had it over a year. Lemon verbena itself is very expensive, so

depending on what you paid for this, price could be another clue. IFRA

doesn't ban the use of verbena oil, however, they strongly suggest it not be

used as a perfume ingredient because of the sensitization and phototoxic

aspects.

There is also Lippia graveolens aka Mexican Sage Oil and finally, the lemon

verbena you most likely have, and as indicated by the Latin binomial

provided you. Lippia javanica (syn. Lippia asperifolia) aka Greendog Oil is

from S. Africa, steam distilled from the flowering tops of plants that grow

on rocky soil and the oil is yellow to deep yellow-orange, fruity and

tagetes-like. Some samples I've received have been agrestic (even dirty

smelling) and strongly reminiscent of Litsea cubeba. Dryout appears woody

and flat, but there is a 'creamy' aspect.

Hope this helps.

Be well,

Marcia Elston

Samara Botane/Nature Intelligence, est. 1988

http://www.wingedseed.com Online 3/95

http://www.aromaconnection.org Group Blog 2/07

" Historically, the most terrible things - war, genocide and slavery - have

resulted from obedience, not disobedience. "

Zinn

[Guest guest]

Thanks for all of the wonderful information. I am very careful in purchasing my

materials,

and all of my suppliers I trust to provide me with only genuine therapeutic

grade essential

oils. I am also meticulous about storage, and I have found that many oils

actually improve

with age. It's possible that the verbena I have has deteriorated, but since I

am not very

familiar with it, I don't truly know what it ought to smell like. Thanks again

for your help.

Rose