Lemon Balm was growing in my yard when I first moved into this property. My first experience with it was it's lovely scent. Definitely lemony. In addition it was quite beautiful!
At first I studied it's use. I found out that it is antiviral. This was attractive to me raising four kids. However, I wasn't fond of it's flavor. It didn't taste as much like lemon as it smelled.
Nevertheless, over the years, Lemon Balm has grown on me, and lavishly in my yard! This is mainly because, as I used it, I realized it was more than antiviral!
For me, and many others, Lemon Balm is a mood enhancer. It lifts the spirits, and brightens the heart. Lemon Balm is wonderful as a warming cup of tea on days when one needs a lift. For one thing it's scent alone is comforting!
This lift of spirits is more than casual! In fact, I soon noticed that when I had anxiety, which I am prone to, a cup of Lemon Balm tea would calm my frayed nerves, and restore balance.
In 2006 I was struck with Peri-partum Cardiomyopathy, or pregnancy related heart failure. I also lost the baby due to a knot in her umbilical cord. Needless to say I was broken hearted in more than one way.
In the following years, even though my heart healed in both ways over time, I endure much anxiety, and heart palpitations. Lemon Balm came to my rescue, calming not only the anxiety, but also relieving my palpitations. Now I rarely get palpitations, and my cure, when I do, grows in my back yard!
Even more advantageous, was after awhile I determined that I needed to go off my blood pressure medication, and Lemon Balm eased my transition to weaning off of it, and distinctly lowers my BP, which has always responded unfavorably to my emotional state!
Shortly stated Lemon Balm has been a life saver for me! I will never be without it again! I cut it, and dry it for winter, when it assists the winter doldrums very well! A dose of summer in a cup! I drink it a couple times a week, which seems sufficient for me, except when I get upset or stressed.
Today, I had a family meeting which I was stressing some over, so I took a cup with me to help sooth my mind. Lemon Balm is great for stressful situations, or to soothe someone else who is grieving, or anxious.
Lemon Balm is also good for repelling mosquitoes, either by rubbing it on the skin, or burning in the fire to fend the little blood suckers away from your yard! It can also be baked into a cake for muffins.
It should be noted that in normal doses it is beneficial to heart function, but in excessively high doses it has been shown to have the opposite reaction. This makes sense homeopathically! So be sensible if you use it! Be sensible if you use water too!!!
So, in short, grow Lemon Balm, and brighten your garden, and your life!!! You will be thankful that you did!
