By: Ivana Dragica |
Lemon balm – a plant that restores the joy of life |
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French herbalist Maurice Messegue once said:
“For me, this plant is the queen of all stimulative herbs. I recommend this herb to clumsy lovers, restless man of the household, troubled women, desperate people and those that feel defeated in life because it rejuvenates organism, restores strength and the joy of life.”
This wonderful plant has a pleasant lemony scent and is a relative of lavender and sage.
The bees like it, which is why its name in Latin is Melissa officinalis.
Lemon balm is one the few herbs that simultaneously has healing properties, has a pleasant scent, can be used for decorations or as a spice, has aromatic properties, makes honey and has an industrial application.
This plant has been used in medicinal purposes since the dawn of time.
Pliny recommended it for healing the eyes, St. Hildegard for joy, Paracelsus called it “elixir of life” and there are some records that lemon balm was Shakespeare's favorite plant.
Healing effects
Many researches have been conducted on the effects of lemon balm on stress, insomnia and anxiety and all studies confirmed its effectiveness.
In combination with valerian it is equally effective as synthetic medicine triazole, but unlike the medicine, it has no side effects.
It is proven that lemon balm enhances concentration and our ability of solving textual and visual problems.
It is also considered that lemon balm, because of its oxidants that protect body cells from damages caused by oxidation, helps people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease to enhance their memory and concentration.
ESCOP (European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy) has officially approved oral usage of lemon balm for stress, anxiety and nervousness treatment.
Furthermore, ESCOP recommends lemon balm for treating digestive problems such as cramps and for local treatment of herpes on lips.
Lemon balm has strong anti-viral properties, shortens disease duration and reduces relapse possibility.
Lemon balm essential oil has similar effect as the plant itself. It is highly regarded and very expensive so you should be careful not to buy fake lemon balm essential oil. It is used for massages and for alleviating herpes simplex.
Healing effects of lemon balm:
- helps with depression and stress
- reduces headaches
- enhances sleep
- helps with excessive performance of the thyroid gland
- reduces increased temperature
- alleviates pregnancy sickness and menstrual cramps
- helps with herpes simplex
- increases creativity and concentration
Lemon balm tea
Lemon balm can be used in a form of a tea, decoction, tincture or integral solution of healing herbs (SIDF).
In order to make lemon balm tea, pour 2 dcl of water over one spoon of dried lemon balm.
During one research, one group of students drank lemon balm tea and the other group drank placebo for a period of six weeks.
First group experienced lower stress levels and had achieved significantly better results on a test and lemon balm effects lasted up to six hours after students drank it.
So, if you or your children are exposed to increased mental efforts - drink lemon balm tea.
Carmelite water
One of the most famous concoctions made of lemon balm is surely Carmelite water. Its recipe was created by Carmelite nuns during the Middle Ages.
Some believed that Carmelite water had miraculous properties, so we find records dating from the 17th century about people living a hundred or more years because they regularly consumed Carmelite water during breakfast.
It was and still is a medicine for treating depression, increased heart rate, migraine, tension, anxiety, fear and nervousness, impaired memory, fatigue, fainting and night chokes, and it can also be used for perfumes and massages.
Recipe
Ingredients
- one liter of alcohol (vodka, rum, brandy)
- 165 grams of dried lemon balm flower tops
- 40 grams of lemon peel (organic)
- 5 grams of angelica root
Leave the mixture in the shade for two weeks and then add:
- 65 grams of coriander
- 12.5 grams of Muscat nut
- 12.5 grams of cinnamon
- 1.5 gram of clove
Leave the mixture in a shade for another week and then filter the mixture into a shaded bottle. Drink one or two spoons a day.
Lemon balm in skin care
Lemon balm, due to its anti-viral properties, is very popular in cosmetics. It is used for making lotions, tonics, hydrolates, crèmes and similar products.
Tonic and steam bath are excellent for oily and problematic skin care and are also effective for combined skin since it hydrates and restores the balance.
For making your own refreshing tonic, mix one spoon of lemon balm and a cup of witch-hazel and leave the mixture for a week.
After that filter the mixture and use it once a day.
Cultivation and picking
Lemon balm is picked during the blossoming period - at the beginning of summer.
It is best to dry the entire plant and then remove leaves in order to preserve the precious oils.
You can easily plant it at home since it goes well with all types of soil. It is resistant to low temperatures and can be cultivated on all terrains that are up to 100 meters above the sea level.
Lemon balm can also be used as a spice in every dish in which you would put lemon. It is an irreplaceable ingredient in healing liquors such as Benedictine and Chartreuse.
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