"The other option for MSers is to simply take lemon verbena without any real data to support it efficacy in MS. This is the usual route of nutriceuticals. Please note that nutriceuticals are not without problems. They may for example contain toxic substances or metabolites that in small doses are not a problem, but as soon as you start using them in pharmacological doses side effects appear. Nutriceuticals can also interact with other medications and cause problems. This is why we can't recommend them to our patients; evidence-based medicine is brutally blunt."
Mauriz et al. EFFECTS OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENTATION WITH LEMON VERBENA EXTRACTS ON SERUM INFLAMMATORY MARKERS OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS PATIENTS. Nutr Hosp. 2014;31(n02):764-77
Introduction: Inflammation is one of the main contributory factors to the etiopathogenesis of MS. Dietary interventions with Lipia citriadora (lemon verbena) extracts have been proved to be effective in the prevention of inflammatory diseases.
Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of lemon verbena supplementation in pro- and anti- inflammatory serum biomarkers of MSers with different clinical sub-types of MS.
Methods: The effect of lemon verbena supplementation (10% w/w verbascoside) was evaluated in a randomized, double-blinded placebo-controlled study with 30 participants classified in relapsing-remitting (n=10), primary progressive (n=5) and secondary progressive (n=15) MS presentations. Serum cytokine and C reactive protein levels were assessed in intervention and control groups for each MS clinical subtype after 28 days of dietary supplementation.
Results: Serum levels of C reactive protein and 8 cytokines/ inflammatory (IFN-G, IL-12, IL-23, IL-6, TNF, TGF, IL-4 and IL-10) markers were studied. Secondary progressive MS-supplemented MSers showed C reactive protein concentrations significantly lower compared to the placebo group (p<0.005). IFN-γ levels decreased for all MS-treated groups whereas IL-12 diminished levels were observed for relapsing-remitting type (p<0.05). Anti-inflammatory cytokine concentrations of IL-4 (difference 2.98 ± 2.99 pg/mL) and IL-10 (difference 1.78 ± 5.54 pg/mL) increased in secondary progressive MSers (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The variation of several pro- and anti-inflammatory markers after supplementation suggests that lemon verbena extracts may affect cytokine profiles in multiple sclerosis. Further investigation on dietary components with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may contribute to understand MS pathogenesis and ameliorate MS symptoms.