John Myers
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The health effects of lemon balm have been known for thousands of years. Lemon balm has made a name for itself not only as a medicinal herb but also as a kitchen spice. In addition, the plant is easy to care for and an important food source for insects.
Lemon balm – this is how the medicinal plant works
The Melissa officinalis, as the medicinal herb is called by botanists, has not only been appreciated by humans since primeval times. Melissa means bee and it is not for nothing that our ancestors derived the name of the plant from the term.
- Bees also really appreciate the nectar of the mint family. If you keep bees, the animals will be happy about the lemon balm plants, which are around 90 centimeters high, and will be all the more eager to produce honey.
- Homemade honey that harmonizes perfectly with your homemade lemon balm tea. A cup of melissa tea has been served to calm the nerves for many years.
- But lemon balm is also a tried and tested household remedy for gastrointestinal problems. Charlemagne already knew about the healing powers of lemon balm and decreed that the medicinal plant must be grown in every monastery garden.
- The medicinal plant, originally from the Mediterranean region, flowers from June to August and also grows easily in our home gardens.
- In particular, the essential oils and flavonoids as well as the tannins and bitter substances in lemon balm have a positive effect on health.
- The lemon balm, as the plant is often called, is characterized by a pleasant aroma and a pleasant scent. For this reason, lemon balm is often used as a kitchen spice.
- Rub the lemon balm leaves and take in the intense lemon scent of the medicinal plant. The fragrance results from the main active ingredients of the essential oils, citronellal, and citral.
Lemon balm – this is how you use the medicinal herb
If you are stressed and/or having trouble sleeping, try two to three cups of lemon balm tea before you go to bed. You can increase the calming effect of lemon balm if you add a little valerian root.
- The lemon balm leaves are harvested between June and August. Dry the leaves immediately after harvesting in a dry, sunny place, in the oven, or in a dehydrator.
- Note: Do not store the dried lemon balm leaves in metal cans; porcelain containers, for example, can be used instead.
- For the lemon balm tea, just like for the green tea, you do not use boiling water, just hot water. Let the crushed lemon balm leaves steep for about 15 to 20 minutes before drinking the tea.
- If you suffer from gastrointestinal problems, mix fennel and aniseed into the lemon balm tea. A mixture that not only has a calming effect but also tastes delicious.
- By the way: Lemon balm poultices, which you can easily create using lemon balm tea, provide relief for minor injuries or insect bites.
- You can also achieve a calming and soothing effect with lemon balm oil, for example with herpes. If you’re nervous, a soothing lemon balm bath before going to bed can work wonders.
