Did you know Lemon Balm/Melissa (Melissa officinalis) can relieve anxiety, improve memory and cognitive function, aid digestion, treat cold sores, improve PMS cramps, and help you sleep? The “volatile oils in lemon balm contain chemicals that relax muscles, particularly in the bladder, stomach, and uterus, thereby relieving cramps, gas, and nausea.”
Lemon balm paired with peppermint can sooth stomach aches. Lemon balm and valerian helps you sleep. You can seep the herbs to make a fresh tea or enjoy the herb in your lemonade. You can drink it up to 4 times a day.
Georgetown University Medical Center stated lemon balm can improve Alzheimer’s symptoms of anxiety and loss of memory. I read at herbwisdom.com that “In a study of lemon balm at Northumbria University in England students were tested for weeks while using either Lemon balm or a placebo. The students did significantly better on the tests after taking Lemon balm and continued to post improved scores for up to six hours after taking the herb. The students taking Lemon balm were noted to be calmer and less stressed during the tests. (From Prevention Magazine Sept. 2004)”
Lemon balm may interfere with sedatives and thyroid medications so ask your doctor if you are taking one of these. Some believe lemon balm can regulate your thyroid so maybe you can get off the medicine. I am all for natural remedies.
Lemon balm grows like a weed in full sun so you can easily incorporate this herb into your diet. It also grows well in pots. Make sure you water the plant when it begins to wilt. Then, you will have plenty of herb to enjoy through the summer.
I will post our favorite lemon balm recipes soon. We love it in sorbets, popsicles, teas and fruity lemonades. It is delicious. Please let me know if you have some recipes you would like to share or which ones you like best from our website.
References:
https://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-lemon-balm.html
https://www.livestrong.com/article/123817-benefits-lemon-balm-tea/
