HERBS: LEMON BALM
Melissa officinalis
Action: Sedative, diaphoretic, antispasmodic, carminative.
Systems Affected: Nerves, circulation.
Preparation and Dosage (thrice daily): Dried leaves, dose 2-5 grams by infusion.
Lemon Balm is native to the Mediterranean region and has been cultivated in the area for over 2000 years. For almost half this period, however, it was used primarily as a bee plant. The Arabs introduced it as a medicinal plant, extolling its merits in treating anxiety and depression (Avicenna said that ‘it makes the heart merry, and strengthens the vital spirits’), and it has been used as a sedative or tonic tea ever since.
Lemon Balm is used mainly for treating nervous conditions such as anxiety and depression. As the American herbalist Michael Tierra states: ‘This herb is widely used to cure melancholy and diseases that are the result of finding ourselves in places and life situations we are not ready to accept.’
The infusion is recommended for poor digestion, flatulent dyspepsia, colic, dizziness and buzzing in the ears, palpitations, insomnia, headaches and many of the various disorders (even nightmares) common to nervous states of mind.
It is particularly recommended (up to 5 cups of the infusion per day) for premenstrual tension and period pain. It is an excellent-tasting diaphoretic or anti-fever tea, and is useful at the first signs of a cold, flu or fever. It is a safe and effective herb for treating infants and young children. The plant is used as a poultice or ointment to dress open wounds and the fresh leaf is soothing when rubbed on insect bites.
Lemon Balm possesses a pungent oil from which the Arabs make a perfume. It is a common monastery herb in Europe and monks and nuns prepare from it fragrant colognes and healing salves. In France it is the main ingredient of the well-known Carmelite tonic waters. It is an important constituent of several liqueurs, including Benedictine and Chartreuse, and is used for its aromatic properties in potpourris. It may be used for culinary purposes where a delicate lemon flavour is required.
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Tags: Herbal