Lemon Balm’s Calming Qualities
Lemon balm, which is also called lemon mint, grows easily in much the same manner as regular mint. Lemon balm looks the same as a regular mint plant but, when you rub the leaf, you’ll smell a wonderful fragrance of lemon. It’s botanical name is Melissa officinalis but most people use the more common name of lemon balm.
You can easily start lemon balm from seed but keep in mind the location you choose since this plant needs some shade in the hot afternoon sun. Once you get some lemon balm growing well, you can start new plants from cuttings or separate out roots in the spring or fall to propagate a garden of lemon balm.
Lemon balm grows well in the eastern and central U.S. and will grow in almost any type of soil. There are many uses for lemon balm. It is wonderful for use in aromatherapy as it has a crisp, clean smell of natural lemons.
When used as an essential oil, aromatherapists usually call it by it’s botanical name, melissa. Even though lemon balm grows easily, the melissa essential oil is generally costly because it takes such a large quantity of lemon balm to make this product.
Lemon balm has many healing herbal uses because it has a calming effect. Lemon balm has long been used for the treatment of insomnia, nervousness, depression and headaches. This is because the oils in this plant that have a sedative property and when made as a tea can be a wonderful herbal remedy for anxiety and stress.
Lemon balm has an antiviral effect. For this reason, lemon balm has been used to ward off certain viruses such as herpes or mumps. Incorporating lemon balm into lip balms and salves is a good application for this purpose. Lemon balm is used in the treatment of colds and flu because of it’s antiviral properties.
Lemon balm has anti-spasmodic properties. It has often been used for the cramping associated with menstrual cycles with a high degree of success. Also, because of it’s anti-spasmodic action, lemon balm is an excellent herbal choice for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. It relieves the cramping, gas and spasms associated with this health issue.
There are no known side effects to lemon balm so it is one of the safest herbs. There is one word of caution, however, as it does make barbiturates more potent. If you are on a barbiturate medication, lemon balm should not be the herbal choice for you. Make sure that, if you do get the essential oil, melissa, that it is pure.
Lemon balm can be used simply for it’s wonderful taste to flavor chicken or fish. It is also tasty in a variety of teas, either alone, or in combination with other flavoring and healing herbs.