SUANNUTRA Brings Lemon Verbena Cultivation to Home Soil
Local cultivation of lemon verbena in Valencia delivers a more resilient supply chain ensuring standardized quality, full traceability and greater transparency.
SUANNUTRA SA is developing local cultivation of lemon verbena extract in Valencia, Spain, creating a more integrated approach to botanical sourcing while strengthening control over cultivation, processing and quality.
The wellbeing solutions developer says the project provides a locally sourced, reliable and standardized botanical extract, while reinforcing the connection between the botanical and the company's branded ingredients.
From Andes to Valencia
Lemon verbena is an aromatic plant native to South America. Its pleasant lemon fragrance has made it a candidate for culinary applications and home remedies, with traditional use dating back to the ancient Inca culture.
According to SUANNUTRA, healers in the Andes valued the plant as a digestive aid and antispasmodic remedy for bronchitis. Scientific investigations have identified a profile of bioactive compounds including flavonoids, essential oils and triterpenes, as well as vitamins and minerals.
After arriving in Europe, the plant became known as Aloysia, a name given in honour of Queen María Luisa of Parma. From royal gardens and perfumery traditions to herbal culture, lemon verbena developed a distinctive botanical identity.
“This project opens a new chapter in growing and cultivating lemon verbena.”
Overcome Climate Challenges
Climate adaptation was considered from the beginning of the project. SUANNUTRA says Spain offers strong potential for lemon verbena cultivation, but that the right agricultural model is essential for resilience.
Cultivation has been diversified across different farms and microclimates within the Valencia region. The approach is designed to reduce reliance on a single location and provide greater flexibility across growing seasons.
Agronomic practices including drip irrigation and soil-covering techniques are being used to support water efficiency and help preserve soil moisture. SUANNUTRA also collaborates with specialized nurseries to ensure plants arrive in the field in optimal condition.
Fruitful Partnerships
The collaborative project brings together local growers, agronomists, specialized nurseries and SUANNUTRA's technical and quality teams. The nurseries support plant propagation and plant quality, agronomists guide cultivation practices, and farmers manage the fields.
SUANNUTRA's internal teams oversee the process from technical, quality and ingredient-development perspectives.
“This multidisciplinary approach is what makes the project stronger.”
From Farm to Shelf
Lemon verbena is cultivated in Spain under SUANNUTRA's direct supervision. The plant is grown according to defined agricultural protocols and harvested at the right moment to help preserve its botanical profile.
After harvesting, the leaves are carefully dried and handled under controlled conditions before moving into extraction and standardization of the active compounds. SUANNUTRA says the processing is designed to preserve phytochemical integrity.
The resulting extract is tested to ensure it meets the specifications required for use in SUANNUTRA's premium, science-based ingredients.
The company describes the integration of cultivation, technical supervision, extraction, standardization and quality control as a coordinated model intended to give customers greater confidence in the ingredient's controlled origin, defined process and consistent quality profile.
SUANNUTRA is also a patron of the American Botanical Council's Adopt an Herb program, supporting access to current information on the botanical through the HerbMedPro platform.
The company will showcase its ingredients and related research at SupplySide Global in Las Vegas, where Monteloeder by SuanNutra is scheduled to exhibit at booth #6241 from October 26–30. Its programme includes Visible Radiance™, Elissara® research supporting scalp wellness and radiant hair, and preliminary Nutroxsun® 365 clinical findings.
About SUANNUTRA
SUANNUTRA is a global nutraceutical ingredient group combining sourcing, distribution and science-driven innovation. Through Gonmisol and Monteloeder, the group connects reliable ingredient supply with clinically supported branded solutions.
Its innovation portfolio is structured through the Visible Health Platform, translating science into tangible benefits across Visible Metabolic Health, Visible Balance and Visible Radiance.
