home Folk remedies Why lemon balm is useful for the human body - its use in folk medicine, cooking and cosmetology. Melissa officinalis - affordable herbal medicine in your garden

Why lemon balm is useful for the human body - its use in folk medicine, cooking and cosmetology. Melissa officinalis - affordable herbal medicine in your garden

Melissa - herbaceous plant, which is also often called lemon balm. Since this herb is widespread and has therapeutic effect on the body, it has been used in medicine for more than a millennium. Most often, tea is made from it. In the article we will tell you what benefits a lemon balm drink brings, whether there are contraindications to its use, and how to brew it correctly.

Benefits of lemon balm tea

Important! Doctors don't mind daily use warm and cold drinks with the addition of lemon balm, but it is recommended to limit yourself to three cups per day.

For children

The calming property of lemon balm decoction works well when consumed by hyperactive children, as well as those who have neuroses. It calms, improves concentration and thought processes.
The tea is prepared as follows:

Grind the lemon balm.
Boil 250 ml of water.
Pour a teaspoon of chopped herbs with slightly cooled - up to 90 degrees - boiling water. For young children, a less concentrated drink should be made.
Leave for 10-15 minutes.
Before use, add honey or sugar to taste.

It is better for children to give the drink warm in small portions throughout the day.

For pregnant

Melissa tea will be useful, since it is at this time that a woman suffers from mood swings and emotional instability. She is often upset and in nervous excitement. All these conditions negatively affect the health and development of the fetus, and sometimes lead to threats of termination of pregnancy. Herbal decoction as a light sedative able to relieve unwanted manifestations nervous system, normalize sleep, tone up, eliminate headaches.
Also lemon balm hot drink Gynecologists often recommend pregnant women in the first months of pregnancy, since its antiemetic effect has been noticed. On later it will help cope with edema and the accumulation of fluid in the body, which also threatens pregnancy complications.

Another trouble with which herbal decoction helps pregnant women cope with constipation.

Important! Despite the fact that pregnancy is not included in the list of contraindications for drinking lemon balm tea, before drinking it regularly, you should consult a gynecologist. You should also clarify the dosage and the maximum number of cups per day that a pregnant woman can drink.

In addition to brewing just lemon balm, it can be mixed with other tea - or green. To do this you need to pre-brew regular tea. Then take a couple of lemon balm leaves, place them in a teapot, pour over freshly brewed tea and leave for 10 minutes.
Pregnant women should drink a warm drink in small portions throughout the day. When consumed late in the evening With the addition of honey you can achieve good sleep.

For women who are breastfeeding

It is important for women to drink lemon balm drink, as there is evidence that it improves lactation. In this case, just one cup a day is enough.

When drinking such a drink, the mother should carefully monitor the condition, skin, and stool of the baby in order to notice an allergic reaction in time and stop taking the tea.

If you don’t have fresh herbs on hand, you can buy dried herbs at the pharmacy.

Tea is prepared from dry leaves as follows:

Boil 200 ml of water and cool to a temperature of 90 degrees.
Pour boiling water over a tablespoon of raw materials.
Leave for 20 minutes.
Strain before use.

By the way, you can drink lemon balm not only brewed. It can be added to fresh in salads, desserts, first and second courses.

Nursing mothers can drink not only pure lemon balm drink, but also brewed mixtures of herbs and fruits. It is allowed to add fruits, lemon slices, flowers, caraway seeds, anise. However, each of these ingredients should be introduced separately and gradually, noting the reaction of the baby’s body.

For taste, you can add honey or condensed milk to a warm drink.

You need to drink tea until lactation is restored, after which you need to take a break of one and a half to two months.

To normalize blood pressure

Hypertensive patients should also pay attention to such a harmless, but at the same time effective remedy to lower blood pressure, like lemon balm tea. How much to drink and in what doses will depend on what numbers the tonometer usually shows when measuring everyone’s blood pressure individual person. In addition, it is important not to self-medicate, but to consult about complementary therapy in the form of drinking an herbal drink from a doctor. . You can add pieces and various berries.

Boil three liters of water.

Place herbs, leaves, fruits, berries in boiling water. Close the container with a lid and wrap it in a blanket, thick towel or something else to keep it warm longer.

Leave for 10 minutes.

Thus, lemon balm tea is a healthy, accessible and inexpensive drink that allows you to quench your thirst, get rid of some health problems and generally strengthen the body. It is better to collect raw materials for tea before flowering, usually in August. This will make the aroma of the herb more intense. If it is not possible to make your own preparations, then it is better to purchase the herb at the pharmacy.

The healing properties of lemon balm have been known for a long time. This plant resembles a branched bush, the leaves of which have a pleasant smell. The plant is used in beekeeping to protect beekeepers from insect bites when collecting honey. Melissa has a whole range of beneficial properties, and thanks to its strong and pleasant aroma, it is used for making tea and in cooking. The herb has a rich composition, so it is used for treatment various diseases. IN folk medicine All parts of the bush are used, but the leaves and roots of the plant are of particular value. Summer residents always grow mint bushes in their local area, because fresh leaves They give a special lemon flavor and mint smell and are especially appreciated by lovers of natural teas.

Chemical composition of lemon balm

Melissa or, as it is also called lemon balm, has a rich chemical composition. Essential oils are of particular value in the plant, thanks to which lemon balm has such a strong but pleasant lemon smell. The medicinal herb is rich in:

Lemon balm also contains medicinal bitters that are rarely found in plants. Melissa officinalis is a treasure trove useful substances, which provide positive impact on the body and are effective in combating various pathologies.

What are the benefits of lemon balm?

Medicinal lemon balm is a universal plant that has great benefit on the body. Lemon Balm known for its sedative properties, which have a calming effect on the central nervous system and is a natural antidepressant. Medicinal lemon balm copes well with insomnia, migraines and improves mood. The uniqueness of the plant is also that, in combination with other plants, lemon balm, on the contrary, gives vigor and strength. Medicinal lemon balm has a relaxing and calming effect, so the herb is used as active component for many medicines, but in folk medicine positive properties lemon balm is especially appreciated. Lemon balm contains a powerful dose of vitamin C, so the herb is very effective in combating colds, and also use lemon balm decoction as a prevention of autoimmune diseases.

Melissa – perennial with a branched root system and stem height from 20 to 75 cm. Its leaves contain 0.05% essential oils, characterized by a thin citrus aroma and spicy taste. The plant also has a high concentration of vitamin C, flavonoids and organic acids. Due to this, it is widely used in official and folk medicine. How is lemon balm useful for our body, and in what cases should it not be used?

Features of the collection and preparation of lemon balm

To get the maximum benefit from a plant, it must be properly collected and subsequently stored. IN medicinal purposes For lemon balm, only shoots and young leaves are used until it begins to bloom. Therefore, the optimal time to collect it is during June. At this time, the plant is literally filled with juices and has highest concentration phytoncides and healing components. Melissa grows on the edges of mountain forests, on the banks of rivers and clean waters. If possible, it can be easily planted on your own personal plot, since it can easily overwinter in open ground.

As for storage, experts recommend adhering to the following rules:

during drying, lemon balm should not be mixed with other medicinal herbs;
It is better to store it in a tin can or clothes bag.

Beneficial properties of lemon balm

In aroma and vaguely in taste, lemon balm resembles mint. It has a pleasant lemon aroma, which even in the composition herbal collection often dominates. Melissa leaves contain a large number of saponins and tannins. B vitamins, vitamin C, selenium, manganese, iron and potassium are just small part microelements present in the plant.

Most often, lemon balm is used as a natural sedative. This is the main area of its application, since the plant has a pronounced relaxing effect on the body. Therefore, lemon balm tea is especially effective for neuroses, chronic stress, nervous fatigue. Pediatricians recommend giving children fresh tea from lemon balm leaves at night. The permitted children's brewing ratio is 1 tsp. dry raw materials per 250 ml of water.

Melissa flowers are useful for colic, poor digestion and unstable gastrointestinal tract function. Its systematic use helps to normalize the activity of the intestines, liver, gall and pancreas. An infusion based on it is useful for irregular bowel movements and stomach cramps, increased gas formation and gastritis.

Melissa has proven its effectiveness as a good antiviral agent. Brewed according to the classical scheme, it enhances the immune response and strengthens the body while fighting the disease. For these purposes, lemon balm leaf tea goes well with blueberry, cranberry or lingonberry juice.

It can be brewed with high blood pressure, asthma, dizziness, skin diseases.

Melissa oil

In pharmacology, essential oil extract from lemon balm is widely used. It is used as a base for ointments for rheumatic pain and in female medications to stabilize hormonal levels during menopause. For those who suffer from insomnia, doctors recommend dropping lemon balm oil into an aroma lamp and inhaling its aroma. This guarantees sound and healthy sleep.

You can resort to natural oil lemon balm and for cosmetic purposes. It relieves redness and effectively fights acne. It is used both in pure form, lubricating a cotton pad, or in combination with other oils. Girls suffering from oily hair, can solve this problem by enriching their shampoo with a few drops of lemon balm oil. It will improve performance sebaceous glands, will make hair manageable and add natural, natural shine.

Tea made from lemon balm leaves is an excellent immune stimulant. Its effectiveness in the fight against seasonal colds and bronchial diseases has been proven. It needs to be brewed in the same proportion as almost any other herb: one teaspoon to one glass of boiling water. For achievement best effect lemon balm is best combined with green tea(in equal proportions), linden and honey. If you don’t want the extra hassle of straining the tea, you can immediately buy the bagged version.

Melissa contraindications

Because this medicinal herb, then it also has certain restrictions on its use. It should not be drunk by people suffering arterial hypotension (low blood pressure). Before use, it is also worth monitoring whether there is an individual allergic reaction on the components that make up lemon balm. Therefore, you need to start with small volumes.

Technologies for brewing lemon balm based on purpose

Depending on the problem, lemon balm can be used in the following ways:

For problems falling asleep and increased excitability it is necessary to make a steam based on young lemon balm leaves. For 1 liter of boiling water you need to take 15-20 g of dry raw materials, mix and leave to steep for 20 minutes. It is advisable to drink the resulting infusion at night, 1 glass. If desired, you can add a spoonful of honey to it.
In case of migraine, the following proportion is used: 1 tbsp. pour dry and crushed lemon balm leaves into a standard glass hot water(up to 95°C). Leave the infusion for 1 hour. The optimal dosage is ½ glass before each meal.
To treat bruises and rheumatism at home, you can use the following recipe: 2 tbsp. lemon balm leaves, pour 250 ml of boiling water, cover the container with a lid, remove and leave to infuse for 45 minutes. The resulting steam must be filtered and used for compresses on problem areas.
For gum disease and toothache, an infusion of lemon balm leaves and tops is used. It is enough to take 1 tbsp. all components of the plant and pour boiling water over them (250 ml is enough). Leave to infuse, covered, for 1 hour, then strain. Rinse your mouth with the resulting product several times a day.
From unstable menstrual cycle naturopaths recommend the following infusion option. 15 g of dry and crushed herbs need to be poured with 180 g of strong boiling water. Maximum time infusion - 1 hour. This steam can be used in the form of tea or warm baths.

Another area in which this medicinal herb has proven itself successfully is proper nutrition. It is low-calorie - only 45 kcal per 100 g. Tea or infusion of lemon balm in combination with healthy food will help in the fight against extra pounds, because it “accelerates” metabolism. It also helps to gently cleanse the intestines, preventing constipation. And due to the fact that lemon balm has a sedative effect on the nervous system, people do not break down by overeating junk food.

How to prepare an infusion of lemon balm specifically for the purpose of losing weight? Take 10 g of chopped herb and pour 1 glass of boiling water over it. Brew for an hour and strain. You need to drink the drink half an hour before meals, 70-100 ml (approximately half a glass). It is advisable not to prepare tea for future use throughout the day.

You can enhance the effect of the drink by adding honey, ginger or mint to it.

Another option for using lemon balm on a diet is a nutritional shake. To prepare it you will need two fresh cucumber, cut into small cubes, and a bunch of chopped lemon balm leaves. Mix the ingredients and fill them with 500 ml of low-fat yogurt. This is a great alternative for a snack or light summer dinner.

A tonic drink based on lemon balm leaves will appeal to those who are looking for an affordable and safe remedy to increase performance. Mix 10 g of thyme, lemon balm and blackberry leaves, 3-5 rose hips and a handful of calendula. Take 20 g of the resulting mixture and pour 300 ml of boiling water over it. Let it sit for at least one hour. Nutritionists recommend drinking up to 70-100 ml of infusion 2-3 times a day.

External use of lemon balm leaves

The unique effect of lemon balm on the body is not limited to its use in the form of steam. It is also effective in combating skin rashes, inflammation of tissues and muscles. For these purposes, it must be brewed in the following proportion: 4 tbsp. dried herbs per 1 liter of boiling water. The spray should sit for an hour, after which it can be soaked into a bandage or gauze and applied to the problem area. It works very well in combating irritations on the face. It is better to use cotton pads only for treating small areas.

In case of skin ulcers, polyarthritis or joint pain, you need to grind the lemon balm leaves to a fine crumb. Pour boiling water over them (for 20 g of leaves - a glass of water), leave to infuse, cool and apply the pulp to the body.

The effectiveness of lemon balm and ordinary alcohol are greatly enhanced. This tincture is used for rubbing or as an immune stimulant. To prepare such a universal remedy, you will need 50 g of fresh lemon balm leaves and 250 ml of alcohol or vodka. Dry raw materials need to be crushed in a blender or ground in a mortar, folded into glass jar, pour alcohol and cover with a lid. Then put it in a dark place for 3 weeks. Alcohol tincture is consumed 15 drops before each full meal.

Melissa can be grown on windowsills, planted in the garden or collected from organic foxes. Well, or just buy it at the pharmacy. It has been found that people who love lemon balm tea have a fresh complexion and can better cope with daily psychological stress. They have stronger immunity and everyone works more harmoniously digestive tract. Melissa is especially useful for older people and hyperactive children.

Video: beneficial properties of lemon balm

Melissa, medicinal properties and the contraindications of which are described below, is a plant with a delicate, delicate aroma. Many people grow lemon balm in their garden to add it to tea leaves and use it as a spice. However, not everyone knows that lemon balm has unsurpassed medicinal properties. If you don't know how to use lemon balm to get fitter... healthy person, then this article is for you.

Melissa is one of the most valuable medicinal plants

Properties of lemon balm

Melissa, or as she is also called, lemon grass- a real source of vitamins and valuable substances. Do not confuse lemon balm with mint. Peppermint has a more pronounced odor, reminiscent of menthol. In addition, plants differ from each other appearance: in the photo it is noticeable that lemon balm has characteristic pointed leaves that look slightly silky.

Melissa leaves contain:

essential oils and resins. Surprisingly, lemon balm contains more than two hundred aromatic compounds that give it its characteristic pleasant aroma. By the way, it is precisely this characteristic of lemon balm that makes it so popular among gardeners and gardeners;
tannins that accelerate the regeneration of wounds on mucous membranes and skin;
bioflavonoids having antiseptic properties and normalizing metabolism in the body;
bitterness, which helps improve the functioning of the digestive system;
vitamins and microelements necessary for normal operation almost all body systems.

The beneficial properties of lemon balm can be listed endlessly, but we must not forget about the existing contraindications. If used incorrectly, it can cause harm. Therefore, before you start taking this herb in any form, you should consult your doctor.

This is interesting! Melissa is one of the best honey plants. , collected from its inflorescences, is rightfully considered not only the most delicious, but also healthy. It is very useful to use during seasonal epidemics to strengthen your own health. Of course, we must not forget that people suffering from allergic reactions should introduce honey into their diet with great caution: healing properties side effects of this product may be minimized.

Use in cosmetology

It is worth saying a few words about the use of lemon balm for cosmetic purposes. The essential oil of this plant, added to shampoo or hair conditioner, will help make strands more silky and voluminous. In addition, the curls will acquire a unique aroma. However, we must not forget that essential oils can provoke a severe allergic reaction, so before using lemon balm in for cosmetic purposes, a sensitivity test should be performed.

A few drops of essential oil can be added to massage oil. This will help to combine a massage session with aromatherapy. The smell of lemon balm calms, helps relieve stress and improves your mood. Besides, medicinal properties lemon balm will help restore skin smoothness and elasticity.

Advice! Melissa can be used not only for medicinal purposes: this herb makes an excellent seasoning. It can be added to salads; lemon balm goes well with mushroom dishes. Melissa will make the taste of tea or compote more refined and unusual. Well, in order for the pickles to turn into a culinary masterpiece, you can add a few fresh lemon balm leaves to the marinade.

What diseases can lemon balm help with?

In medicine, lemon balm is used to treat many pathologies:

for diseases of the nervous system Melissa can return peace of mind. In addition, it helps cope with headaches and insomnia. To cook sedative collection, you should take mint and lemon balm leaves in equal proportions. The properties of mint to relieve tension and restore peace of mind will make this drink an elixir that can relieve any stress;
for intestinal diseases lemon balm should be consumed to stimulate the glands internal secretion. Decoctions and infusions of lemon balm remove inflammatory processes gastrointestinal tract, normalize stool and have an aseptic effect, helping to restore the normal balance of intestinal microflora;
It is worth paying attention to lemon balm and people suffering from diseases of cardio-vascular system . This plant helps reduce arterial blood pressure, which is why it is recommended for hypertension hearts. In addition, lemon balm can normalize blood cholesterol levels and slightly dilate blood vessels;
for diseases of the female urogenital area lemon balm can help with its anti-inflammatory effect. It is also recommended to relieve symptoms when expressed during pregnancy, as well as;
during seasonal epidemics Melissa improves immune status, significantly reducing the risk of getting ARVI or influenza.

It is also worth noting that lemon balm can help with skin diseases, such as eczema.

This is interesting! The aroma of lemon balm will help avoid bee stings: just rub open areas skin with fresh leaves of this plant.

Does lemon balm have any contraindications?

Many people mistakenly believe that natural medicines absolutely harmless and medicinal plant cannot worsen a person's condition. However, it is not. Hippocrates also argued that any remedy can turn into poison if used incorrectly. This also applies to lemon balm. This plant is in large quantities may cause drowsiness and slow down the rate of psychomotor reactions. Men should not forget that lemon balm decoction can cause problems in the sexual sphere and difficulties in achieving an erection. If you have a pustular rash, you should not take baths with lemon balm decoction. Despite the fact that lemon balm can have a healing effect for skin diseases, you should consult your doctor before using it.

You should avoid lemon balm (or use it with great caution) in the following cases:

presence of hypotension. Since lemon balm lowers blood pressure, in case of hypotension its use can provoke a worsening of the condition;
: lemon balm herb can provoke an epileptic seizure;
exacerbation of stomach ulcers and duodenum. Melissa contains essential oils and resins, which can worsen the patient's condition due to irritation of the walls of the stomach and intestines;
lemon balm decoctions for men can cause sexual dysfunction. For men, mint, which has less pronounced sedative functions, is more suitable as an additive to tea;
individual intolerance. If after consuming lemon balm a rash appears on your skin, you feel unwell, for example, dizzy or dizzy, or have any other symptoms unpleasant symptoms, the use of this plant for health purposes should be abandoned;
Under no circumstances should lemon balm be used for severe pain. If you have mild degree renal failure, before consuming lemon balm, you should consult your doctor.

Advice! If you are bitten by a bee, simply rub the wound with a pulp of lemon balm leaves. This will help relieve itching and pain.

Tea made from lemon balm leaves will help with many diseases.

How to use lemon balm?

You can use lemon balm in several ways:

Melissa leaves and essential oil, the properties and uses of which are described in the article, should be in every home: this is practically universal remedies, which will help to cope with a number of problems.

Advice! In no case should you drink lemon balm tea more than three times a day. The leaves should be brewed with water whose temperature does not exceed 80 degrees. This will help to fully preserve valuable properties medicinal plant. If you want to make your tea more aromatic, you will need linden: a small amount of dry leaves will give the drink a light honey aroma. The leaves can be replaced with linden flowers. The linden leaf contains many useful substances.

Use herbal infusions, which contain lemon balm, can help cope with many health problems. Of course, it is important to consider that this plant can cause harm. Therefore, you should consult your doctor before using it. You can learn more about the properties and uses of lemon balm from this video: