Lemon balm, which stands out for its relaxing properties, is beneficial for insomnia and headaches, antidepressant and is effective against mumps, chicken pox and cold sores.
We talk about the properties of lemon balm , how to use it to your advantage, how to grow it and how to prepare two simple remedies to lift your spirits and relax. Are you going to miss it?
Lemon balm is a medicinal plant native to Europe, it is exactly native to the Mediterranean basin. Its botanical name comes from the Greek word for “honey bee” and was considered as healing and healing as honey itself.
It is also known as lemon balm and it is relaxing and invigorating at the same time of the nervous system, it is used for anxiety , depression, nervous tension and the digestive discomforts that they generate.
Lemon balm has relaxing properties , it is beneficial for insomnia and headaches, antidepressant, it is effective against mumps, chicken pox and cold sores . It is used in aromatherapy thanks to its intense lemon scent, as well as being an ideal mosquito repellent for children.
Melissa sheet
- Common name: Melissa
- Scientific name: Melissa Officinalis
- Parts used: Aerial parts and essential oil.
- Main components: Volatile oils (citronella, linalool and citral), polyphenols, tannins, bitter principles, flavonoids and rosmarinic acid.
- Actions: Sedative, antidepressant, digestive stimulant, peripheral vasodilator, diaphoretic, restorative and relaxing of the nervous system, antiviral and antibacterial.
As for the leaves of the lemon balm , it should be noted that it is easy to confuse its leaves with those of other species of the mint family, but its dominant aroma of lemon clearly distinguishes it.
The flowers of the lemon balm , for their part, which appear in summer, are highly appreciated by bees, and it is said that by rubbing the hive with the plant, the bees are prevented from moving away.
How to use it
Infusion
Take 1 cup of infusion of the green or dried leaves 3 times daily for depression , nervous exhaustion, digestion or nausea. Use a diluted infusion for children with chickenpox.
cream or ointment
Apply on sores, fevers, wounds that do not heal or insect bites.
Lotion
Add 1 ml (20 drops) of essential oil to 100 ml of water and you will have a lotion to be sprayed on the skin as an insect repellant .
Tincture
Take 10-20 drops in water 3-5 times daily for depression, tension headaches and anxiety . It is preferable to make it with green leaves.
Massage oil
Add 5-6 drops of essential oil to 15 ml of coconut oil and apply by massaging for depression, tension, asthma or bronchitis; or with soft touches on the sores as soon as they appear.
How to grow it
Culture
Lemon balm prefers moist, well-drained soils, but it also thrives in poor soils and tolerates both sun and shade. Grow lemon balm seeds in a cold-bed seedbed in spring and transplant them when they have established, or divide the roots in spring when growth begins for fall emergence.
It reproduces by spontaneous germination and can be colonizing. An alternative is variegated or less vigorous crops.
Location
It grows in the partially shady weedy areas of Europe, or as cultivated plants by spontaneous germination.
Harvest
Collect the aerial parts just before they open in summer, and the leaves throughout the growing season.
Natural remedies with Melissa
Lemon balm and honey to sweeten and relax
Lemon balm and honey concentrate is ideal for sweetening and has relaxing properties. To prepare it, the green and tender leaves of the lemon balm are used and, normally, it is prepared in late spring, before the plant becomes woody and its leaves are less woody.
It is a good sweetener for other herbal teas or summer cocktails, and can be served hot or cold by adding two teaspoons of extract to hot or iced water.
To prepare 125 grams of this lemon balm and honey concentrate we will need the following ingredients:
- 20g fresh lemon balm leaves
- 100g liquid honey
- Juice of half a lemon
We will prepare it as follows: Put the lemon balm leaves in the blender, add the honey and lemon juice and grind the mixture until you obtain a light green puree. Dilute in water and drink it. The concentrate lasts 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Lemon balm and rose infusion to lift your spirits
This herbal infusion combines the fortifying yet relaxing elements of lemon balm and the mood lift of sensuous rose petals making it an excellent refreshing drink. It can be taken cold or hot, and it is preferable that it is slightly bitter.
For optimal results, use green lemon balm leaves and the scented petals of rosa damascena or French rose.
The ingredients that we are going to use to prepare the lemon balm and rose infusion are:
- 16 green lemon balm leaves or 1 tablespoon dried citronella
- 2 capsules of rose petals without petals or 2 tablespoons of dried rose petals
To prepare this infusion, the first thing we have to do is put the green lemon balm leaves and the rose petals in a teapot. If you use dried plants, add the necessary tablespoons directly.
Bring 500 ml of water to a boil, let it cool for 5 minutes and transfer it to the kettle. Let infuse for 5 minutes and serve. If desired, you can add more water and re-infuse the leaves and petals of the roses.
