Lemon Verbena Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 4 min read| 1,006 found this helpful

Aloysia triphylla

Lemon Verbena is confirmed toxic to cats, dogs, and horses per ASPCA data

Its core toxic component is naturally occurring essential oils

Small quantities used for cooking or flavoring pose no toxicity risk

FAQ

Is Lemon Verbena toxic to Humans?

No documented toxicity from typical exposure; small culinary amounts are completely safe (Non-toxic)

Is Lemon Verbena toxic to Cats?

Stomach upset, colic (Low)

Is Lemon Verbena toxic to Dogs?

Stomach upset, colic (Low)

Is Lemon Verbena toxic to Horses?

Stomach upset, colic (Low)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Non-toxic

No documented toxicity from typical exposure; small culinary amounts are completely safe

Cats

Low

Stomach upset, colic

Dogs

Low

Stomach upset, colic

Horses

Low

Stomach upset, colic

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsAerial parts (leaves, stems) containing concentrated essential oils

Exposure RouteIngestion of large quantities of raw plant material; dermal exposure to concentrated essential oil extracts

Toxic CompoundsEssential oils

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Remove any remaining Lemon Verbena from the exposed animal's mouth and immediate environment
• Rinse the animal's mouth with cool clean water to wash off residual plant residue
• Do not induce vomiting unless explicitly instructed to do so by a licensed veterinarian

Contact Vet Immediately

• The animal ingested more than a tiny taste of raw Lemon Verbena plant
• The animal shows signs of abdominal pain, vomiting, or colic after exposure
• The animal was exposed to concentrated Lemon Verbena essential oil products

Prevention

• Keep potted Lemon Verbena out of reach of cats, dogs, and grazing horses
• Store concentrated Lemon Verbena essential oil products securely away from pets and livestock
• Clear wild-growing Lemon Verbena from pastures used for horse grazing

Treatment & Prognosis

• Administer veterinary-prescribed gastrointestinal protectants to reduce stomach irritation
• Provide symptomatic pain management for colic symptoms under veterinary supervision
• Monitor gastrointestinal function until all adverse symptoms fully resolve

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameAloysia triphylla

AliasesLemon Beebrush

Toxicity Grade

HumansNon-toxic

CatsLow

DogsLow

HorsesLow

Target Organs

Gastrointestinal tract

Mechanism of Action

• Concentrated essential oil compounds irritate the gastrointestinal tract mucosa, triggering inflammatory response and abdominal discomfort

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Cattle: Potential mild gastrointestinal irritation if large quantities are consumed during grazing

Sheep: No severe toxicity reported, though mild oral and gastric irritation may occur with high intake

Small mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs): Mild stomach upset expected if large amounts of raw plant material are ingested

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Lemon Balm Melissa officinalis

Confusable due to shared bright green serrated leaves and lemon scent; key difference: Lemon Balm belongs to the Lamiaceae family, has rounder leaves, and is non-toxic to all listed species

Lemon Mint Monarda citriodora

Confusable due to shared lemon-scented foliage common in herb gardens; key difference: Lemon Mint produces distinctive purple clustered flower heads and is non-toxic to most domestic animals

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Related Toxic Plants

Common Lantana

Lantana camara

High toxicity

Texas Lantana

Lantana urticoides

Moderate toxicity

Bleeding Heart Vine

Clerodendrum thomsoniae

Low to Moderate toxicity

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Data Sources

1. ASPCA Animal Poison Control

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.

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