Plant Medicine Summary: Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm is part of the mint family and just tastes amazing for teas. But the medicinal qualities are out of this world...

Brief History (Also known as Melissa)

Lemon Balm is referred to in ancient Greek writings. During Medieval and Renaissance ages it is mentioned as well.  “In the ninth century, the first Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne thought Melissa (Lemon Balm) so beautiful and so valuable to the health of his subjects that he ordered it planted in all monastery gardens.  Benedictine monks later shipped the herb to other regions…” Arabians are thought to be the first to have introduced lemon balm’s many uses to the European countries…It was used for dressing wounds and as a general panacea or tonic, but the monks are more well known for using lemon balm to create perfumes and liquors which were very popular among the people of Medieval and early Renaissance periods.

Lemon balm was one of these herbs the colonists brought with them to the new world. “They used lemon balm for cooking & flavoring, for beverages such as teas and wines, medicine, cosmetic and house- hold uses such as cleaning and scenting….There are records of Thomas Jefferson growing lemon balm at

Monticello.http://www.herballegacy.com/Morrison_History.html
 
How Do I Use It?
Lemon Balm is used to help with anxiety, skin ailments, nausea, colds, sore throats, cold sores, blood pressure, helps improve indigestion, insect bites and painful periods.

Tea

• Make tea and drink several times a day to help give peace and relief from anxiety. Truly a remarkable herb! 1 teas dried herb to  cup water. Has a wonderful taste as well. 
• Combined with Valerian Root – it makes a great sleeping aid.

Tincture

• Tinctures are so great to use especially when you are on the go and don’t have time for a brew of the tea. You can put the tincture in your purse and have it with you, all the time. 

Salve

• Muscles and Nerves - Lemon Balm is a wonderful salve to help aching muscles or calm nerves.
• Cystic acne – see below under experiences.

Food

• You can use it to flavor any dishes that need a lemon seasoning.

Our Experience with it
We love this herb because it has helped us and our families so much. All of us grow lemon balm.

• Skin Ailments - used it for cold sores and skin rashes.
• Eczema - Takes about 10 days to clear it up.
• Cystic Acne -  (Paula) "Our youngest daughter had cystic acne. We tried doctors, medications, washes, if it is out there, we have tried it. We made some salve a couple of summers ago and we knew it was supposed to help with scaring. So she decided to experiment with it on her face. She kept her same routine except using this for her moisturizer. Within about 4 weeks, her face was clear without more cystic acne. Her skin is beautiful! I am so happy we found his wonderful herb to use in our salves."
• Tea - This is our "go-to" application for Lemon Balm. It makes a lovely tea. We use it to help especially during stress times. Sweeten it with honey.
• Can use the tea in a spray bottle for sunburns.
• It helps all kinds of nerve problems.
• Can also use it in making soap.

 
Properties of Lemon Balm

• Anodyne – Relieves or soothes pain
• Antibacterial
• Antidepressant 
• Antispasmodic – Reduce muscular spasm
• Anti Oxidant
• AntiViral – Defense against virus
• Diaphoretic – Causes sweating for body to detoxify
• Emmenagogue – Stimulate menstrual flow
• Febrifuge – Reduce fever
• Hypotensive – Lower Blood pressure
• Nervine- Acts upon the nervous system as a tonic
• Stomach – Stimulates stomach digestion

This list is from http://www.anniesremedy.com/

Lemon Balm Tea
Pour one cup boiling water on lemon balm leaves. Fresh or dried can be used. Fresh will be more potent. Let steep for 20 minutes with a plate on the cup. If it isn’t strong enough for you, add more leaves. Sweeten with honey or agave. Can also add cinnamon or other culinary spices you like.

Caution

• No side effects.
• Considered safe even for babies.

 
 NMM Mixes With Lemon Balm

Anxiety R&R - Special combination of herbs for those suffering from anxiety. Tonic for the nervous system.
Hand and Finger Repair - Unique blend of plant medicine in a salve, especially good for those with diabetes.
Powerhouse - Excellent and powerful blend of herbs to help after exercise, hard labor, heat stroke, getting energy, etc.