*Remember to always consult a doctor if you plan to medicate with natural plants. Don't take any of this for granted, do your own research.
Wonder Plant #004 - Balm (Melissa Officinalis), an all-purpose soother
Often called lemon balm, bee balm, balm mint or garden balm, this plant is a perennial cultivated mostly as a culinary herb. The name balm comes from the Greek "balsamon" meaning "balsam", an oily, fragrant resin, but it does not exude a balsam. It can grow as much as 3 feet high and is often used in beekeeping as bees are attracted to it's fragrance. There are dozens of medicinal uses for this plant that is sometimes dubbed "cure-all". It's been used for it's properties for over 2000 years. It is also known to be used in herb pillows for it's aroma.
Flowering: July and August
Properties and uses:
- Antispasmodic: reduces spasm and convulsions.
- Calmative: sedative
- Carminative: expelling gas from the stomach or intestines so as to relieve flatulence or abdominal pain or distension
- Diaphoretic: when prepared as a warm infusion, balm can increase perspiration.
- Emmenagogue: an agent that promotes the menstrual discharge.
- Eases menstrual cramps: when prepares as a warm infusion.
- Insomnia
- Migraines: also helps with minor headaches.
- Toothaches: soothes minor toothaches and sensibility.
- Dizziness
- Heal minor wounds
- Ease digestion
- Relax nerves
- Repel insects
- Bug bite soother
Preparation and dosage: Collect leaves before and after flowering. Fresh leaves are more potent than dried ones.
- Infusion: use 2 tsp. of chopped leaves in 1 cup of boiling water.
- Cold Extract: use 2 tbsp. per cup of cold water and let infuse for 8 hours.
- Tincture: use 1/2 to 1 tsp.
Useful links:
An article about the benefits of Lemon Balm
University of Maryland's Alternative Medicine Guide
An article about the benefits, uses and side effects of Lemon Balm
An article about Lemon Balm and it's action on anxiety and viruses
Sources:
- All definitions were taken for the Merriam Webster website: https://www.merriam-webster.com
- Prevention Magazine Health Books. The Complete Book of Medicinal Cures. 1994. Berkley Health Reference. p. 288.
- Lust, John. The Herb Book. 1974. Bantham Books. p. 105.
Pictures (in order of appearance):
- neuhsa.org/lemon_balm__2_.jpg
- 3.bp.blogspot.com/-y48iw-n14L4/UZfjCPWejdI/AAAAAAAACf8/8URedTd43gg/s1600/LemonBalm2.jpg
Edits:
- 23/6/17 - picture sources, description
- 24/6/17 - tags