We delve into the enchanting world of Lemon balm, also known as Melissa officinalis. This versatile herb is perfect for summertime relaxation and offers a plethora of health benefits, making it an essential herbal remedy for any season.
Fresh Lemon Balm Tea: A Summertime Delight
Lemon balm is renowned for its calming properties, and nothing compares to a cup of freshly brewed lemon balm tea. When freshly picked from your garden, windowsill planter, or patio pot, the leaves retain their volatile oils, such as citral, carophyllene oxide, linalool, and citronella.
- Pick a handful of fresh Lemon balm leaves.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Place in a teapot or mug with a lid.
- Pour boiling water over the leaves.
- Let it steep for 5-10 minutes.
- Enjoy your aromatic, calming tea!
These oils are potent and can soothe the digestive system and calm the nerves. For the best experience, always use a teapot or mug with a lid to preserve these precious aromatic compounds. Not only will you feel serene, but the delightful aroma will elevate your spirits.
Growing Lemon Balm: A Gardener’s Joy
Growing Lemon balm is a joy for both novice and experienced gardeners. This herb is not fussy and flourishes in full sun or partial shade, thriving in moist, well-drained soil.
Whether you choose to start from seed, root cutting, or simply buy a plant from a garden centre, Lemon balm is easy to cultivate.
A gardener’s tip: ensure you water it well before and after planting and maintain regular watering throughout the summer. Bees also adore Lemon balm, making it an excellent choice for a bee-friendly garden and earning it the traditional name “bee balm.”
Health Benefits: From Anxiety Relief to Antiviral Properties
Lemon balm is incredibly versatile with numerous health benefits. It’s a carminative, nervine, and febrifuge, best known for reducing anxiety, improving mood, and soothing agitation.
It’s also antiviral and particularly effective against the herpes virus, making it beneficial for cold sore sufferers. Lemon balm is a soothing herb that helps with various forms of agitation, be it an upset tummy, restless sleep, anxiety, heart palpitations, or troubled skin.
Research indicates that Lemon balm aids in anxiety reduction and memory recall without impairing psychomotor skills at lower doses. Its febrifuge properties make it useful for combating colds and flus by slightly raising body temperature, thereby bolstering the immune response.
An Aphrodisiac and Menopause Support
One of the fascinating aspects of Lemon balm is its potential as a natural aphrodisiac and a supportive herb for perimenopausal symptoms. Research involving 89 perimenopausal women with reduced sexual desire revealed that taking 1 gram of Lemon balm daily resulted in increased arousal, better lubrication, more orgasms, and reduced pain during intercourse when compared to a placebo. With such promising findings, Lemon balm stands out as an excellent herbal choice for enhancing intimacy and well-being during perimenopause.
Additionally, Lemon balm balances neurotransmitters like GABA, dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin, promoting overall mental well-being during menopausal transition.
It’s soothing qualities not only benefit the nervous system but also encourage rest, making it an invaluable ally during challenging times.
How to Enjoy Lemon Balm
For optimal benefits, fresh Lemon balm is highly recommended. However, if you prefer tablets or tinctures, make sure your supplier uses a manufacturing process that retains those valuable volatile oils. A tincture, where the herb is steeped in a combination of alcohol and water for 6 to 8 weeks, can be an effective option. Fresh Lemon balm tea remains a favourite.
Incorporate Lemon balm into your daily life to experience its wide-ranging benefits. Whether you’re seeking relaxation, enhanced mood, or support during menopausal transitions, Lemon balm is your perfect herbal ally.
The fresh, zesty flavour combined with its calming effects is unbeatable.
While incorporating Lemon balm into your daily routine can yield numerous benefits, it’s crucial to consult with a medical herbalist if you have underlying health conditions, are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, lactating, or taking other medications. Remember, even natural remedies can have potent effects. 🌿