Lemon Balm

Lemon balm -Melissa Officinalis is actually a member of the mint family. Originally coming from Europe, it is now grown all over the world. Growing some 2 feet or more in height, it is grown for use as a culinery herb and also commercially as a crop for use in the medicine and cosmetics industry.

Spring and summer, brings small, light yellow flowers among the deeply wrinkled, dark green, to yellowish green, leaves. When rubbed the leaves, smell tart and sweet, like a lemon.

Lemon Balm has been used in therapeutic practices since before the Middle Ages when it was used to relax people suffering from stress or anxiety and to promote sleep. This calming herb is also said to improve the appetite, ease indigestion including flatulence and bloating. Often steeped in wine, lemon balm was used to lift the spirits, help heal wounds, and treat venomous insect bites and stings. Nowadays, lemon balm is often combined with other herbs to increase it’s effects.

Lemon balm can be dried and used as a herbal tea, but it is also available in various shops in capsules, extracts, or tinctures and as an oil that may be used in aromatherapy.

Modern medicine has not really explored and tested all the possible uses for this versatile herb, but it is thought that it may have far reaching benefits in many fields, such as in the treatment of Alzheimer's, hyperactivity, hyperthyroidism, calming muscle spasms, and killing bacteria as well as having anti-HIV and anti oxidant properties.

No harmful side effects have ever been noted from the use of Lemon Balm, but as with many things it’s use is not to be recommended by pregnant women.

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