Medicinal Properties Of Lemon Balm

Everyone knows this herb for its pleasant delicate aroma. It is most often used for relaxation and is not without reason compared to mint. Meet lemon balm! Why is lemon balm so useful, what are the medicinal and healing properties of this miraculous herb, and does it have any contraindications? Let’s find out!

The composition of lemon balm

The plant is characterized by a pleasant odor and beneficial properties due to its rich composition.

Melissa leaves contain essential oils; tannins; organic acids; vitamins C, and B vitamins; iron; calcium; potassium; zinc; magnesium; selenium.

Lemon balm seeds contain 20% fatty oil. Caloric Content: 0.03 kcal. Energy value: carbohydrates – 0.30 g; proteins – 0 g; fats – 0 g.

Useful and medicinal properties of lemon balm

The benefits of lemon balm lie in its ability to

• improve appetite and digestion,
• relieve inflammation of the liver and pancreas,
• treat gastritis,
• relieve gallbladder spasms,
• reduce gas formation in the intestine, eliminate signs of flatulence,
• act as a diuretic and laxative,
• stop vomiting in case of pregnant women’s toxicosis,
• Anesthetize – used externally with a compress for joint pain, abscesses, injuries,
  calm the nervous system, improve sleep, relieve shortness of breath, and eliminate heart pain,
• lower blood pressure, reduce pulse rate,
• a good diaphoretic,
• is used in the case of menstrual disorders.
• stabilizes metabolism in the body.
• helps with diseases of the genitourinary system, including urethritis, cystitis,
• prostatitis, female inflammation.

Lemon balm is used in the following decoctions:

Alcohol infusion is recommended for compresses for gout and rheumatism. 1 full tablespoon of raw materials, previously crushed, should be steamed with 200 ml of boiling water. Insist until it cools down. Drink in 3-4 doses per day to relieve pain in the heart and get rid of shortness of breath. This broth is also used for douching to relieve female inflammation.

The dried leaves and tops of the shoots are brewed and drunk as tea. When hot, it is a good diaphoretic, and when cold, it is a sedative. Valerian and motherwort are added to enhance the effect. To prepare a soothing decoction, all herbs are combined in equal proportions. 1 full tablespoon of the mixture is steamed with a glass of boiling water, cooked for 10 minutes over low heat, and then add boiling water to 200 ml. After 4 hours, you can start taking it. Drink a tablespoon 4 times a day (the last time before bedtime).

Contraindications to the use of lemon balm

Lemon balm has a very active effect on the body. Therefore, in order not to harm health, it is necessary to take into account all its properties.

The high content of essential oils in the leaves makes the plant potentially allergenic. Therefore, drink teas and infusions with caution. If you have concerns, you should first consult your doctor. Also, before the first aromatherapy procedure, you need to rub a drop of essential oil into your forearm. If there is no redness or burning sensation within 5-10 minutes, the body tolerates it normally. Hot inhalation (inhalation) can cause especially serious harm without prior sensitivity testing.

In some cases, the strong sedative properties of lemon balm can be harmful. After taking a sedative drink, the reaction decreases, and the speed of movement slows down, so it is not recommended to drive or take exams, etc.

The plant can harm male potency, but after stopping taking decoctions, virility returns again. The herb has a similar effect on the female body, reducing sexual desire.

The herb is slightly toxic, so it can be harmful to a child’s body. Given this feature, it is not recommended for children under 14 years of age.

Lemon balm in dietetics

Lemon balm tea helps to fight extra centimeters. You can brew ordinary green tea by adding a tablespoon of dry or fresh lemon balm to it, or buy a ready-made product at the pharmacy.

It is recommended to drink three or more cups of aromatic, tasty, and healthy drinks. The plant improves metabolism, removes toxins and toxins, cleansing the body.

It is known that obesity is often caused by stressful situations. Drinking lemon balm tea helps to get rid of stress and depression. This means that the desire to abuse food intake no longer arises.

Losing weight with lemon balm is possible, but only using an integrated approach. To do this, include dietary products in the menu, and drink tea throughout the day.

Lemon balm in cooking

Lemon balm is a spice with a delicate, refreshing flavor and a fairly strong lemon aroma.

Its leaves and stems are used in cooking both fresh and dried. The scope of its application in food production is very extensive. Fresh, whole, or finely chopped, it is added to the flavor, improves taste, and is enriched with vitamins in summer salads, soups (especially mushroom, fish, pea, and fruit soups), as well as in vegetable main dishes. Dried lemon balm greens are added to winter (meat, fish, and vegetable) salads.

Fresh and dried, it goes well with meat (veal, pork, lamb), poultry, fish, and seafood. In the cuisine of European countries, it serves as a flavoring agent in various types of sauces. The spice is also used as a seasoning in dishes made of rice, cheese, and eggs.

Dried lemon balm is brewed and drunk instead of tea or added to milk to improve its flavor. In canning, lemon balm leaves are used for pickling tomatoes and cucumbers, and in powder form for sauerkraut.

This spice is widely used (both fresh and dried) in various homemade drinks: kvass, compotes, compotes, beer, and wine.

Since lemon balm loses its flavor quite quickly, especially during heat treatment, it is usually added at the very end of cooking for 1-3 minutes, or added to already prepared dishes.

Well, we have seen that lemon balm can be of great benefit to our body, but we should not forget about contraindications to its use. Lemon balm, like any food product, should be consumed wisely and be careful in portions. Be careful and healthy!