Lemon Balm “Melissa officinalis” Lemon Balm has also been called balm, bee balm or sweet balm.
Lemon Balm is an herb that is sweet smelling and it has been widely used for its calming proprieties. Lemon balm is a member of the mint family.
Lemon balm can be used by anyone of any age.
Safety Note:
If your pregnant or lactating do not use this herb. Do not use lemon balm two weeks before scheduled sugary. This herb can increase the sedative effects of the anesthetic.
Lemon balm is a relaxant and nervine. It is a mild antidepressant and a mild antispasmodic and carminative.
History:
The use of lemon balm dates dates back to about two thousand years. The ancient Romans and Greeks used this herb medically. The Greek physician Dioscorides used it often. The earliest records of the use of this herb date to around three hundred B.C.E. It is thought that this herb was brought to Spain by the Moors in about the seventh century, by way of the Middle East. Carmelite Water was in high demand in the Renaissance. This water contains Lemon balm and was used to help cover the stench of unwashed bodies. The water also helped to cover the smell of the diseased of the dead and dying during times of plague. The water is still used today for different reasons.
Key Components:
Lemon Balm is high in flavonoids. Lemon balm has phytochemicals like phenolic acids. Lemon balm has terpenes and rosmarinic acids. It also has tannins in it and this helps with it’s astringent properties. There are about one hundred chemicals that are within lemon balm that are all organic compounds.
Healing & Other Uses:
Lemon balm can help with stress and help to boost mood. Lemon balm helps to relax the heart when your under stress.
Lemon balm has been used to combat the herpes simplex virus,“this is the virus that causes cold sores”.
Lemon balm has a long history of being used as an antibacterial, to protect against disease caused by harmful bacteria.
Lemon balm can be used to naturally fight infectious bacteria.
Lemon balm helps to balance thyroid function.
Lemon balm is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that can help fight free radical damage.
Because of Lemon balm’s relaxing propitiates it can be used to help with anxiety and mild depression.
Lemon balm can be used as a sleeping aid.
Lemon balm can be used to help treat toothaches.
Lemon balm can be used to help heal wounds and insect bites in a poultice.
Lemon Balm can be put into herbal teas, poultices, compresses and salves.