A Healing Herb - Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm has calming properties and prized for its ability to reduce stress and anxiety, promote sleep and ease indigestion
Hi, I’m Sue and I write about the beauty and ingenuity of Nature, and how we can deepen our connection for our optimum health and wellbeing. Discover more Nature-inspired content on Spiral Leaf and my video Nature Channel.
A Healing Herb Guide
Lemon Balm is the fifth herb to feature in my new Healing Herb Guide.
Lemon balm is a bushy herbaceous perennial with wrinkled toothed leaves that are roughly heart-shaped or oval and borne in pairs along square stems. The leaves can be smooth covered with shoft downy hair.
Lemon Balm is a joy to grow as a powerhouse herb containing antiviral tannins and eugenol, which help to calm muscle spasms, numb tissues, kill bacteria, boost immunity and promote good sleep health.
In times past, Lemon Balm was strewn in churches as a sign of devotion and respect. Its association with wisdom, cleanliness and abundance has transcended time, making it a plant with profound symbolic value.
I hope you enjoy discovering the life-giving and healing benefits of Lemon Balm as part of a healthy diet for your good health and wellbeing.
Folklore
Lemon Balm appears in magical workings for uplifting the mood, healing and attracting love. It makes a gentle and compassionate partner as simply growing and tending Lemon Balm brings healing and love being placed under the rulership of Venus.
Lemon balm thrives in poor soil in both sun or shade. The whole plant is covered in a soft down and when the foliage is touched, even when it is just emerging in Spring, it bursts with an abundance of the sweet lemon fragrance it is famous for.
The flowers are a magnet for bees as reflected in its name, ‘Melissa OIfficinalis’ which comes from the Greek word ‘Melissa‘, which literally means ‘bee‘.
According to Nicholas Culpeper: It is an herb of Jupiter, and under Cancer, and strengthens Nature much in all its actions. Let a syrup made of the juice of it and sugar be kept in every gentlewoman’s house, to relieve the weak stomachs and sick bodies of their poor sickly neighbours: as also the herb kept dry in the house, that so with other convenient simples, you may make it into an electuary with honey.
Nutrition
Lemon balm helps countless health problems making a high contribution to almost every part of the body. It is extremely high in trace minerals such as boron, manganese, copper, chromium, molybdenum, selenium and iron with large amounts of the macromineral silica.
Lemon balm is a B12-conserving herb—which means it monitors stores of this vitamin and keeps your body from using it all up. It is anti-parasitic, antiviral and antibacterial throughout the body, helping to fight the Epstein-Barr virus, shingles and other herpetic bugs such as HHV-6, which are behind countless chronic illnesses, symptoms, and conditions. It is an amazing herb for tonsillitisn which is inflammation caused by strep bacteria.
Lemon balm detoxifies the liver, spleen and kidneys, and helps reduce bladder inflammation, which makes it a star for helping to alleviate interstitial cystitis and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
SOURCE: Medical Medium - Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm is a good source of vitamin C and contains smaller amounts of vitamins A, E, and K. It provides several minerals including calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium and zinc.
Lemon balm contains various phytochemicals including volatile oils such as citronellal, citral and geraniol which contribute to its characteristic aroma and general health benefits.
Remedies
Many people enjoy using Lemon Balm in herbal tea (see below), as an Essential Oil in a carrier such as Jojoba Oil and in aromatherapy to achieve a sense of calm.
Lemon Balm gently supports digestive health and is used to alleviate symptoms of indigestion, bloating, gas and stomach discomfort while gently stimulating the appetite and aiding digestion.
Lemon Balm has antiviral properties with certain compounds that have shown activity against viruses, particularly Herpes Simplex which is responsible for cold sores.
Infuse lemon balm in the home to lift the mood of those with psychological stress
Add lemon balm to floor washes to help cleanse rooms after illness or upheaval
Drink Lemon Balm tea during a sleepless night to bring on drowsiness
Ideal for children with insomnia in a herbal tea with a combined dose of Valerian and Lemon Balm
Recipes
LEMON BALM HERBAL TEA
Bring 1 pint of filtered water to the boil with Lemon Balm and infuse for fifteen minutes. Infuse one ounce of Lemon Balm for every pint of water.
Add raw honey and lemon peel (or juice), allow to cool, strain and to drink straight away or store in the fridge.
This simple herbal tea helps to relieve stress, lower anxiety, reduce nervousness and induce relaxation before sleep. Lemon Balm extract helps to lift the mood and increase attention when taken during the day.
SLEEP TIME HERBAL SYRUP
Place 1 x cup Lemon Balm leaves into a small pot and add enough filtered water to just cover the leaves.
Simmer gently until the liquid is reduced in half. Strain out and compost the leaves.
While still quite warm, measure out about 1/2 cup of the concentrated tea and stir 1/4 cup raw honey into it. Add more honey to taste, if you wish.
Store in the refrigerator for about 3 days.
Dose by the spoonful at night to help calm and relax. (Honey should not be used with children under 1 year old.)
Note: Make larger or smaller batches – keeping a ratio of about 2 parts lemon balm infusion to 1 part honey.
A growing collection
I hope you enjoyed the fifth in an ongoing series of posts about the healing powers and health benefits of herbs that can be grown in any sized garden - and in pots too!
Thank you for joining me on this journey of herbal delights and discovery. I hope it will become a helpful resource that you can rely on for well-researched and well-tested information - and as a starting point for further learning.
I look forward to seeing you again soon.
Other Herbs to explore …
A Healing Herb - Lemon Verbena
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I love Lemon Balm. One of my favorites. 🧚💚
One of my absolute favourites - especially at this time of year. And such a grower who loves being split to produce more 'babies'. Thanks for sharing.