Monteloeder joins La Vera Campo Arañuelo Hub agronomical research campaign to advance lemon verbena growing techniques

Lemon verbena. Image courtesy of Monteloeder SL

Monteloeder SL (Madrid, Spain), a subsidiary of Suannutra, has announced its participation in Le Vera Campo Arañuelo Hub, which will bring the cultivation and production of its flagship lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora) extract to Cáceres, Spain. Monteloeder is one of seven companies participating in the La Vera Campo Arañuelo Hub agronomical research campaign, which allocated 4 acres of land previously used to grow tobacco. Under the program, Monteloeder will try new agricultural techniques such as precision agriculture to optimize cultivation practices as well as deepen understanding of agronomical and environmental conditions most conducive to maximizing yields. They will also identify parameters that impact lead active content to develop strategies that ensure maximum potency of its lemon verbena extracts.

“This project is designed to both revitalize this strip of Spanish countryside and to foster the transition from cultivating tobacco to more functional medicinal plants,” said Fran Cremades, technical and operations director of Monteloeder, in a press release. “It also will boost the surrounding communities by driving economic and rural development. We will work closely with the local farmers and share our specialized methods for sustainably cultivating organic verbena.”

As part of the initiative, Monteloeder will also adopt environmentally responsible practices such as foregoing the use of fertilizers and pesticides, optimizing water usage, as well as enhancing soil health by recovering carbon and mineral content.

“We have garnered more than twenty years of experience in nurturing lemon verbena to tease out its myriad benefits for personal well-being and determine the optimal methods for extracting its goodness and crafting novel applications,” added Cremades. “Lemon verbena is a central ingredient in most of our branded, science-backed nutrients. Its bright, citrusy notes also elevate the sensory experience of the supplements, making them more enjoyable to consume. This project will solidify our position as a leading force in bringing the best of this extolled botanical to our customers, and in the most sustainable way.”