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Lemon mint. Melissa. Useful properties. Contraindications. Application

Lemon balm, or lemon balm, is a plant that has been used since ancient times to treat many diseases. This herb has a pleasant lemony smell, hence its name. The healing properties of lemon balm have been proven and recognized traditional medicine.

Mint: description of popular types

Mint is a designation for a large group of plants in the Lamiaceae family. In total, more than 25 species of mint and over 100 subspecies are known. The most famous are:

  • Field mint- the most common species in Russia. Inflorescences of mauve flowers are located at the base of elongated leaves. The plant reaches a height of 40-60 cm. Widely used in cooking and folk medicine, is the raw material for obtaining essential oil;
  • Peppermint- a cultivated plant grown in the south of Russia and in many European countries. It has a strong menthol taste and a pungent odor. Peppermint used in medicine and in cooking in the preparation of soft drinks;


  • Garden mint. Grows in the southwest and south of Russia. Does not have a strong menthol taste and unpleasant odor. The leaves of the plant are oblong, pointed at the ends, the stem height rarely exceeds 40 cm;
  • Water mint. It is found along the banks of forest reservoirs in the European part of Russia. It has a very strong menthol smell. The plant has a height of 30-80 cm, hallmark this species has spherical inflorescences located at the end of the stem;


  • Long leaf mint. Grows in central Russia and Western Siberia. The stem of the plant is tetrahedral, reaching a height of 80-120 cm. Small purple flowers are collected in racemose inflorescences. This type of mint has a gentle, non-irritating odor and is used in folk medicine as an analgesic and antiseptic;
  • Curly mint. This is a cultivated plant with a pleasant smell and delicate taste, no menthol taste. It is distinguished by curly and slightly pubescent leaves. Widely used in cooking, grown in many European countries;


  • Apple mint. It is found wild in the Caucasus and southern Europe. Reaches a height of 60 cm, has a straight stem and large, wide leaves. Used as a spice;
  • Flea mint. It grows wild in the North Caucasus and is cultivated in Turkmenistan. The name comes from the fact that in the past this plant was used to control fleas. This type of mint has small leaves round shape. Used in cooking;


  • Plectranthus, or indoor mint. Widely used for landscaping balconies and city apartments. The plant has drooping shoots and small flowers collected in racemes.

The healing properties of lemon balm (video)

Lemon balm: medicinal properties and contraindications

Lemon balm or lemon balm - medicinal plant from the Yasnotkov family, which is widely used in folk medicine. It is found wild in southern Russia and the Caucasus. Melissa can be grown on garden plots, since it is an unpretentious and cold-resistant plant.

Lemon balm is rich in vitamin C, as well as trace elements, necessary for the body human: magnesium, zinc, molybdenum, selenium, copper. Melissa improves immunity, has an antipyretic and diaphoretic effect, therefore it is used for complex treatment colds and flu.


The substances that make up lemon balm have many medicinal properties:

  1. Calm down nervous system, helping to get rid of stress and insomnia;
  2. Lower blood pressure;
  3. Have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the stomach and intestines;
  4. Normalize the functioning of the cardiovascular and endocrine systems;
  5. Removes toxins and harmful substances from the body;
  6. Help with complex therapy oncological diseases.

In cosmetology, lemon balm is used to combat inflammation and acne, since the substances contained in the plant improve the structure of the facial skin and help relieve inflammation.


Contraindications to the use of lemon balm are:

  1. Children under 3 years of age;
  2. Epilepsy and episyndrome;
  3. Chronically low blood pressure (hypotension);
  4. Allergy to this plant;
  5. Liver failure.

Because lemon balm has a calming effect, it is not recommended to be taken before situations that require concentration and fast response(driving a car, exam, etc.)

Varieties of mint (video)

Benefits of lemon balm for women and men

Melissa is especially useful for women. This plant helps overcome premenstrual syndrome and reduces pain during menstruation. Lemon balm improves muscle tone internal organs, therefore helps with prolapse of the uterus.

Many women believe that lemon balm cannot be used during pregnancy, but this is not true. On the contrary, this plant helps to cope with toxicosis and promotes better light current childbirth and separation of the placenta. But apply lemon balm during pregnancy it is necessary in moderate quantities.

During menopause, the use of lemon balm helps avoid depression, excessive irritability, malfunctions endocrine system. Besides, lemon balm accelerates weight loss while fighting obesity, but only in combination with proper nutrition and playing sports.


The benefits of lemon balm for men are questionable. The stronger sex is not recommended to take lemon balm before sexual intercourse, as the plant can cause a temporary decrease in male power. With prolonged use there is a risk of developing impotence. But if you take lemon balm in small doses and occasionally, then no undesirable consequences will occur.

Melissa: features and applications

In folk medicine, lemon balm is used to prepare tinctures, teas, decoctions and inhalations. The most popular remedies are easy to prepare yourself:

  • Pour 2 tablespoons of lemon balm into a glass of boiling water and let it brew for 50-60 minutes, then strain. Drink half a glass 2-3 times a day to relieve stress, combat insomnia and headaches;
  • Add crushed lemon balm to boiling water at the rate of 10 grams of herb per 1 glass of water. Keep on low heat for 10 minutes, then cool and strain. Take the resulting decoction 3 times a day, a teaspoon.


  • The product helps normalize the functioning of the stomach, reduces blood pressure and has a tonic effect;
  • For coughs, inhalations with lemon balm are used. To do this, 3-4 drops of lemon balm oil are mixed with a small amount of honey and diluted with boiling water. Then the patient is allowed to breathe in steam for 10-15 minutes;
  • A lemon balm compress is good for abrasions, bruises and rheumatism. To prepare it, pour 2 tablespoons of dry herb into a glass of boiling water, let it brew for 15-20 minutes, then soak a cotton cloth in the liquid and apply it to the skin;
  • To combat acne and inflammation of the facial skin, you can add a few drops of lemon balm oil to the main cream;
  • Melissa tea. The herb can be brewed with black or green tea, adding 1 teaspoon of mint to 1-2 liters of water. The drink has a calming effect, reduces irritability, helps get rid of depression and insomnia, but does not cause weakening of attention (unlike tinctures and decoctions).

When using lemon balm, it is important to remember that an overdose can have reverse effect or cause side effects (drowsiness, sluggishness, decreased potency in men). Therefore it is not possible for cooking folk remedies take large quantity herbs than indicated in the recipe.

How to make mint decoction (video)

Lemon balm is useful plant: its leaves and oils are used in cooking, folk medicine and cosmetology. Thanks to unique composition lemon balm has many medicinal properties. At the same time, there are contraindications for taking and side effects she has very little.

Melissa is one of the main honey plants in the garden. There are three versions of the origin of the name of the plant. One of them refers to the Greek words meli - "honey", and phyllon - "leaves", which were given to the plant because of its honey smell. The other is related to mythology. According to it, the nymph, the daughter of King Melisseus, fed Zeus with milk and honey and taught people how to get honey. The third version says that she was a beautiful young woman who claimed to become the mistress of the gods. But the goddesses did not like this, and they turned her into a bee.

However, lemon balm also has another name.

What does lemon balm look like?

Melissa, which is often called lemon balm, has a height of thirty to one hundred and fifty centimeters, a tetrahedral stem with heart-shaped, ovate petiolate leaves made of large teeth. Its flowers are small, pale pink, purple or white. Lemon mint (photo illustrates the flowers of the plant) blooms in July-August and has a pleasant smell at this time, which then disappears.

The plant originated in the Middle East and North Africa. In the Middle Ages it spread throughout Europe.

Today the plant is cultivated as a medicinal plant in many countries. It is specially grown in gardens, orchards and plantations.

Differences from mint

The leaves of both plants are similar, because they are representatives of the Lamiaceae family. However, there are also noticeable differences. Concerning appearance, then mint has a straight stem, while lemon balm has a branched stem. The flowers of one plant are collected in a spike, but lemon balm has the appearance of false rings. The photo demonstrates their external similarities and differences.

In addition, they can be easily distinguished by their smell. Mint gives off a menthol aroma, and lemon balm smells like lemon.

As for the application, both plants are used in cooking. But one is more like a flavoring, and the other is more like a seasoning.

Peppermint contains much more essential oils than lemon balm.

Beneficial features

However, thanks to the essential oils contained in the leaves, although not in large quantities, it can manifest itself as a therapeutic agent.

The plant has a sedative effect and helps relieve pain in many diseases.

In addition, lemon balm is used for insomnia, heart disease and low blood pressure. blood pressure, and as in independent use, and in combination with other herbs. It will help relieve general fatigue, calm the nervous system, relieve apathy and depressive state and will allow you to feel the taste for life again.

This plant, among other things, has an antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effect, will help with constipation and reduce elevated temperature, as it has a diaphoretic effect.

Lemon balm also reveals properties through the use of infusion, which alleviates the condition of heart diseases, normalizes blood pressure and relieves shortness of breath; has a beneficial effect on bronchial asthma, anemia, migraine and neuralgia.

Decoctions and infusions are taken internally and externally. In the latter case positive effect achieved for toothache and throat diseases. In this case, rinsing is indicated.

Compresses have an anti-inflammatory effect for gout and joint diseases. If you treat wounds and damage with a decoction, the skin will regenerate faster.

It will soothe headaches. Since ancient times, it has been used for fainting and hysterical attacks.

Contraindications

Has lemon balm beneficial features and contraindications. Much has already been said about the medicinal properties above. However, like any medicinal plant, lemon balm also has a number of contraindications.

For example, those people who have low blood pressure should try to use it very carefully, because due to its sedative effect on this problem, it can cause weakness.

If you abuse it during hypotension, you may experience dizziness and even fainting.

Among other things, individual intolerance may occur, manifested in the form muscle weakness, fatigue, drowsiness. Some may experience diarrhea. Others, on the contrary, have constipation, cramps and heartburn.

If a person is engaged in activities that require accuracy and speed of reaction, activity and attention, then it is better to refrain from consuming lemon balm.

Application

The plant uses leaves and stems, both fresh and dried. IN fresh they are often found in pickled and canned vegetables and fruits, thanks to which the preparations receive a pleasant aroma.

Lemon balm can be added to many meat sauces, fish dishes and various salads.

But its most famous use is, of course, tea, which will not only perfectly quench thirst, but will also help stimulate appetite and improve activity gastrointestinal tract.

Essential oils are made from it, which are successfully used in perfumery and cosmetology, as well as to improve the taste of dishes and flavor alcohol.

Tea

Excellent antibacterial and antiviral agent serves green tea with the addition of lemon balm to the tea leaves. It is advisable to drink it with honey.

Lemon balm is easy to grow right in your garden or garden. It is better if it grows in the shade. Already in May, you can collect leaves a little at a time to add to tea and prepare for the winter.

This tea will be useful, but it should be consumed in moderation. Two cups a day is a completely normal and acceptable dose.

This drink will not only calm you down nervous state and will invigorate depression, but will also have a general strengthening effect on the body, improving appetite and normalizing cardiac activity.

To prepare it, you must adhere to a number of rules:

  • this tea is brewed in porcelain or glass containers;
  • the water should be boiled, cooled to about eighty degrees;
  • green tea and lemon balm are taken in equal quantities: one teaspoon of ingredients per liter of water will be enough;
  • It is best to drink freshly brewed tea, and not already used or brewed for too long.

Cooking

Both fresh and dried, the herb is used as a seasoning for salads, game dishes, fish, soups and various drinks. It can be used instead of allspice or black pepper. Melissa is also added when salting cabbage and cucumbers.

Oil

The aroma from freshly brewed lemon balm immediately spreads everywhere. And this is natural, because it contains a considerable amount of essential oils. They are actively used in cosmetology, homeopathy and medicine.

Even in ancient times in Rome and Greece they used essential oil this plant as a medicinal remedy.

However, in addition to medical purposes, lemon balm is also actively used in cosmetology. For example, it has a beneficial effect on the condition of the lips. By regularly lubricating them with oil, the formation of crusts and cracks is prevented. At the same time, the border of the lips will again acquire its natural freshness and brightness, and the appearance as a whole will become even more attractive.

Melissa, which is popularly called lemongrass or mint, has been successfully grown in our country for a long time. This plant has a wide range useful application. Healing properties lemon balm allows it to be used in recipes for traditional medicine, cosmetology, and cooking. The crop is not actually mint. The plants are relatives of the Lamiaceae family, which is why they look so similar in the photo. Based on the opinions of experts and reviews from gardeners, the article contains a list of medicinal qualities and contraindications of lemon balm.

Description and biochemical composition of fragrant culture

This plant has many names: lemon balm, motherwort, honeypot, honey slipper. The Mediterranean is considered to be the birthplace of the herb. The culture has been known since times Ancient Greece. Over the centuries medicinal properties More than once they have become the subject of research by scientists.

It grows well in the wild in southern regions with mild climates. Despite this, lemon balm is cold-resistant enough to be grown in the central region and other less warm places. The perennial winters normally without additional protection at low subzero temperatures. It can survive spring return frosts, having several unfolded leaves.

Melissa is a natural pharmacological ingredient with wide range properties. In addition, the leaves of the plant are used as a seasoning, natural flavoring and base for cosmetics. Of course, everyone knows the soothing tea with lemon balm. It is better to use fresh herbs, but properly dried raw materials retain the bulk of the nutrients.

As in mint, the main portion valuable substances found in lemon balm essential oils. In the green mass herbaceous plant their share is large - about 0.8%. The substances that provide the characteristic aroma are terpenoids. They also determine the lion's share useful qualities honey cakes

  • rosemary;
  • lilac;
  • vanillin;
  • coffee shop;
  • salicylic;
  • ferulic, etc.

IN biochemical composition Honey cakes also include flavonoids, resins, tannins, saponins, tannins, vitamins A, B and C. Minerals in micro and macro quantities: calcium, potassium, iron, copper, zinc, manganese, etc.

Attention! Energy value mint - 44 kcal/100 g.

Useful properties of honey slipper

The key quality of lemon balm is its calming effect on the nervous system. In fact, this green is a natural antidepressant. Melissa will film headache, activates brain activity. With regular courses of herbal medicine, the herb is a preventive remedy for neuralgia and migraines.

Melissa has a positive effect on the human body systems

Other medicinal qualities of mint can be divided into categories:

  1. Gastrointestinal tract. Melissa will increase appetite, relieve spasms, improve digestive processes and gastric motility. IN long-term use will help in the fight against flatulence, constipation, and ulcers.
  2. Genitourinary system. Honeydew products are diuretics. This means that with their help you can remove it from the body. excess liquid and reduce swelling. An infusion of herbal leaves has a positive effect on the functioning of the genital organs.
  3. The cardiovascular system. The herb has a beneficial effect on heart health and helps prevent anemia and atherosclerosis.
  4. Injuries. Melissa is also used as an external remedy. Lotions made from it anesthetize insect bites.
  5. Skin diseases. Liquid products and mint-based lotions help with acne, fungal infections, eczema, shingles. Shampoos - for dandruff. Tinctures for rinsing the moat - for herpes, diseases oral cavity, toothache.
  6. Gout, rheumatism and similar ailments. In this case, compresses with lemon balm are used.
  7. Female body. Lemon grass strengthens the immune system and normalizes life processes in a woman’s body. She helps with menstrual pain, during toxicosis, increases lactation.

Lemon balm essential oil is a popular filler in aroma lamps. It has antibacterial and antiseptic effect. The ether not only smells great, but also cleanses the atmosphere of the room. A course of such aromatherapy is especially relevant if there is a sick person in the house.

Advice. Melissa essential oil also has an analgesic effect on internal organs. For joint pain and muscle inflammation, simply add a few drops of the product to a warm bath.

Contraindications of the plant. People's reviews about aromatic herbs

The main contraindication to the use of mint is allergic reaction body. Due to the large number of essential oils and strong aroma, this is not that uncommon. Also, lemon balm should not be consumed by people suffering from arterial hypotension. The rest of the harm of lemon balm lies in its improper external use. If herbal medicines are applied or applied to damaged, festering skin, then the healing effect will be exactly the opposite.

IN different sources also talks about negative impact lemon balm leaves male potency, however, this thesis has not been scientifically proven.

In the article we discuss lemon balm - medicinal properties and contraindications to the use of products based on it. You will learn the chemical composition of the plant and its use in folk medicine. By following our tips, you will learn how to brew tea, prepare infusions, decoctions and lemon balm oil.

Lemon balm or lemon balm is a species of perennial essential oil plants of the Lamiaceae family. Latin name—Melissa officinalis. Other names: honey mint, honey mint, lemon balm, swarmer, lemon grass. Melissa is often confused with due to its similar appearance.

Appearance (photo) of lemon balm

Lemon balm has a powerful branched rhizome. The tetrahedral, pubescent stems reach a height of 120 cm.

The leaves are opposite, ovate, located on short petioles. The leaf blades are covered with fluff.

The flowers are collected in ring-shaped inflorescences, which are located in the axils of the leaves. Melissa blooms from June to August.

The fruits consist of 4 black ovoid seeds. The plant bears fruit from August to September.

The homeland of lemon balm is the Mediterranean, Western Asia and the Black Sea coast. It grows wild in Europe, North America, Iran, and the Balkans. In Russia, lemon balm is cultivated in Krasnodar region, in the Caucasus and Samara region.

Melissa officinalis prefers sandy and loamy fertile soils. The optimal pH level is 4.5-7.8. In acidic and waterlogged areas, the plant becomes sick and dies. In the wild, lemon balm grows in forest ravines, on the edges and in shady gorges.

Chemical composition

Lemon balm contains:

  • essential oils;
  • stearins;
  • organic acids;
  • tannins;
  • resins;
  • flavonoids;
  • bitterness;
  • B vitamins;
  • vitamin C;
  • vitamin D;
  • saponins;
  • coumarins;
  • aldehydes;
  • alcohols;
  • magnesium;
  • copper;
  • zinc;
  • iron;
  • calcium.

Medicinal properties of lemon balm

Melissa is widely used in folk medicine. The medicinal properties of lemon balm lie in its rich chemical composition. Aldehydes have a pronounced sedative effect, alcohols - antispasmodic, organic acids - antiviral.

Melissa normalizes the functioning of the cardiovascular, nervous, immune, digestive, genitourinary and respiratory systems. Plant-based products have antimicrobial, disinfectant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Melissa strengthens the heart muscle, lowers blood pressure and calms the nervous system. Products based on it are used to treat neuroses, insomnia, coronary disease heart, arterial hypertension.

Lemon balm is good for the gastrointestinal tract. The plant normalizes its functioning, eliminates spasms and flatulence. Drugs based on it are used to treat acute and chronic diseases Gastrointestinal tract, dysbacteriosis, dyskinesia.

Melissa has strong antiviral activity. With its help, they strengthen the immune system and treat respiratory diseases.

Products based on lemon balm are used externally. They have anti-inflammatory, disinfectant and regenerating effects for dermatitis, eczema, and trophic ulcers.

The use of lemon balm in folk medicine

Tea is brewed with lemon balm, decoctions and infusions are made.

Leaves, shoots and flowers of lemon balm are used as medicinal raw materials.. Infusions, decoctions, and oils are prepared on their basis. These drugs are taken orally and used externally.

Drinks made from lemon balm are used to treat and prevent diseases of the heart, endocrine system, and disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. A decoction of the plant is used in gynecology for douching.

Melissa is used in dentistry. It effectively eliminates gum inflammation, has an analgesic effect and refreshes the smell of your mouth.

The plant is used externally to eliminate cosmetic defects and treatment of skin diseases. For this, lemon balm essential oil and plant infusion are used.

Soothing tea

Tea with lemon balm has a calming effect. It is drunk for depression, neuroses and increased irritability. To prepare the drink, use fresh or dried plant.

Ingredients:

  1. Melissa leaves - 1 teaspoon.
  2. Water - 200 ml.

How to cook: Pour boiling water over lemon balm, cover and let steep for 10-15 minutes.

How to use: Drink 1 glass up to 3 times a day. You can add honey for taste.

Result: Tea calms the nervous system and normalizes sleep. The drink improves digestion and relieves muscle spasms.

The healing properties of lemon balm are recognized by traditional medicine. Pharmaceuticals based on it can be found in pharmacies. For example, sedatives Persen, Novo-passit, Nervoflux.

Antispasmodic infusion

Melissa infusion effectively eliminates spasms of internal organs, relaxes muscles and has an analgesic effect. The drink is used to treat diseases of the cardiovascular, genitourinary and digestive systems.

Ingredients:

  1. Dry lemon balm leaves - 2 tablespoons.
  2. Water - 500 ml.

How to cook: Pour lemon balm leaves into a thermos, pour boiling water over them, close the lid tightly and leave to steep overnight. If you don’t have a thermos, you can use any container, insulating it with a towel. Strain the finished infusion through cheesecloth or a strainer.

How to use: Take ½ glass before meals, no more than 3 times a day.

Result: Melissa infusion reduces blood pressure, strengthens the heart muscle and has an antispasmodic effect.

Bath decoction

Melissa decoction is used for medicinal baths. They have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antispasmodic effects. They are used for treatment gynecological diseases and disorders of the genitourinary system.

Ingredients:

  1. Dried lemon balm - 5 tablespoons.
  2. Water - 1 liter.

How to cook: Fill the dried lemon balm with water and place it on water bath and simmer covered for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, let steep for 15-20 minutes, then strain.

How to use: Add the resulting decoction to a bath filled with water. The duration of the procedure is 15-20 minutes.

Result: A bath with lemon balm decoction relieves inflammation and pain.

Essential oil

Melissa essential oil is used externally

Melissa essential oil is obtained from the aerial parts of the plant by steam distillation. It has a viscous consistency, a pale yellow tint and a light lemon aroma.

Melissa oil is used in aromatherapy and for treatment skin diseases. To enhance therapeutic effect it is combined with oils of almond, jasmine, neroli, ginger, thyme and bergamot.

Ingredients:

  1. Almond oil - 10 ml.
  2. Melissa essential oil - 5 drops.

How to cook: Heat almond oil in a water bath to a temperature of 36 degrees, add lemon balm essential oil to it and stir.

How to use: Rub the resulting mixture of oils into damaged areas of the skin twice a day.

Result: The product relieves inflammation, discomfort and increases tissue regeneration.

You learned about the medicinal properties and uses of lemon balm. Like any medicinal plant, it has contraindications, which must be familiarized with before starting treatment.

Contraindications and possible harm

Despite the many beneficial properties, lemon balm has a number of contraindications and restrictions on use. Products based on it should be taken with caution by people whose work requires concentration and vigilance, since the plant has a powerful sedative effect, as well.

Contraindications to the use of lemon balm:

  • epilepsy;
  • low blood pressure;
  • renal failure;
  • children under 3 years of age;
  • individual intolerance.

For more information about Melissa, watch the video:

What to remember

  1. Lemon balm normalizes the functioning of the cardiovascular, nervous, immune, digestive, genitourinary and respiratory systems.
  2. Drinks based on the plant are taken orally, lemon balm essential oil is used externally to treat skin diseases.
  3. Lemon balm-based products should be taken with caution by men and people whose work requires concentration and vigilance, as the plant has a powerful sedative effect.

Lemon balm: beneficial properties and contraindications

Melissa is one of the main honey plants in the garden. There are three versions of the origin of the name of the plant. One of them refers to the Greek words meli - "honey", and phyllon - "leaves", which were given to the plant because of its honey smell. The other is related to mythology. According to it, the nymph, the daughter of King Melisseus, fed Zeus with milk and honey and taught people how to get honey. The third version says that she was a beautiful young woman who claimed to become the mistress of the gods. But the goddesses did not like this, and they turned her into a bee.

However, lemon balm also has another name.

What does lemon balm look like?

Melissa, which is often called lemon balm, has a height of thirty to one hundred and fifty centimeters, a tetrahedral stem with heart-shaped, ovate petiolate leaves made of large teeth. Its flowers are small, pale pink, purple or white. Lemon mint (photo illustrates the flowers of the plant) blooms in July-August and has a pleasant smell at this time, which then disappears.

The plant originated in the Middle East and North Africa. In the Middle Ages it spread throughout Europe.

Today the plant is cultivated as a medicinal plant in many countries. It is specially grown in gardens, orchards and plantations.

Differences from mint

The leaves of both plants are similar, because they are representatives of the Lamiaceae family. However, there are also noticeable differences. As for appearance, mint has a straight stem, while lemon balm has a branched stem. The flowers of one plant are collected in a spike, but lemon balm has the appearance of false rings. The photo demonstrates their external similarities and differences.

In addition, they can be easily distinguished by their smell. Mint gives off a menthol aroma, and lemon balm smells like lemon.

As for the application, both plants are used in cooking. But one is more like a flavoring, and the other is more like a seasoning.

Peppermint contains much more essential oils than lemon balm.

Beneficial features

However, thanks to the essential oils contained in the leaves, even if not in large quantities, it can manifest itself as a medicinal remedy.

The plant has a sedative effect and helps relieve pain in many diseases.

In addition, lemon balm is used for insomnia, heart disease and low blood pressure, both when used independently and in combination with other herbs. It will help relieve general fatigue, calm the nervous system, relieve apathy and depression and allow you to regain a taste for life.

This plant, among other things, has an antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effect, will help with constipation and reduce fever, as it has a diaphoretic effect.

Lemon balm also reveals properties through the use of infusion, which alleviates the condition of heart diseases, normalizes blood pressure and relieves shortness of breath; has a beneficial effect on bronchial asthma, anemia, migraine and neuralgia.

Decoctions and infusions are taken internally and externally. In the latter case, a positive effect is achieved for toothache and throat diseases. In this case, rinsing is indicated.

Compresses have an anti-inflammatory effect for gout and joint diseases. If you treat wounds and damage with a decoction, the skin will regenerate faster.

It will soothe headaches. Since ancient times, it has been used for fainting and hysterical attacks.

Contraindications

Lemon balm has beneficial properties and contraindications. Much has already been said about the medicinal properties above. However, like any medicinal plant, lemon balm also has a number of contraindications.

For example, those people who have low blood pressure should try to use it very carefully, because due to its sedative effect on this problem, it can cause weakness.

If you abuse it during hypotension, you may experience dizziness and even fainting.

Among other things, individual intolerance may occur, manifested in the form of muscle weakness, fatigue, and drowsiness. Some may experience diarrhea. Others, on the contrary, have constipation, cramps and heartburn.

If a person is engaged in activities that require accuracy and speed of reaction, activity and attention, then it is better to refrain from consuming lemon balm.

Application

The plant uses leaves and stems, both fresh and dried. When fresh, they are often found in pickled and canned vegetables and fruits, thanks to which the preparations receive a pleasant aroma.

Lemon balm can be added to many sauces for meat, fish dishes and various salads.

But its most famous use is, of course, tea, which will not only perfectly quench thirst, but will also help stimulate appetite and improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

Essential oils are made from it, which are successfully used in perfumery and cosmetology, as well as to improve the taste of dishes and flavor alcohol.

Tea

An excellent antibacterial and antiviral agent is green tea with the addition of lemon balm to the tea leaves. It is advisable to drink it with honey.

Lemon balm is easy to grow right in your garden or garden. It is better if it grows in the shade. Already in May, you can collect leaves a little at a time to add to tea and prepare for the winter.

This tea will be useful, but it should be consumed in moderation. Two cups a day is a completely normal and acceptable dose.

This drink will not only calm you down when you are nervous and invigorate you when you are depressed, but will also have a general strengthening effect on the body, improving appetite and normalizing cardiac activity.

To prepare it, you must adhere to a number of rules:

  • this tea is brewed in porcelain or glass containers;
  • the water should be boiled, cooled to about eighty degrees;
  • green tea and lemon balm are taken in equal quantities: one teaspoon of ingredients per liter of water will be enough;
  • It is best to drink freshly brewed tea, and not already used or brewed for too long.

Cooking

Both fresh and dried, the herb is used as a seasoning for salads, game dishes, fish, soups and various drinks. It can be used instead of allspice or black pepper. Melissa is also added when salting cabbage and cucumbers.

Oil

The aroma from freshly brewed lemon balm immediately spreads everywhere. And this is natural, because it contains a considerable amount of essential oils. They are actively used in cosmetology, homeopathy and medicine.

Even in ancient times, in Rome and Greece, the essential oil of this plant was used as a remedy.

However, in addition to medical purposes, lemon balm is also actively used in cosmetology. For example, it has a beneficial effect on the condition of the lips. By regularly lubricating them with oil, the formation of crusts and cracks is prevented. At the same time, the border of the lips will again acquire its natural freshness and brightness, and the appearance as a whole will become even more attractive.