Lemon Balm
Scientific Name: Melissa Officinalis
Family: Lamiaceae
In most folk or older texts, it is referred to as “Balm”. Culpeper calls it “so common” that he doesn’t even offer a drawing of the plant.
Common medicinal properties: anodyne, antispasmodic, antiviral, aromatic, cardiac tonic cordial, diaphoretic, digestive, emmenagogue, febrifuge, hypotensive, nervine, sedative, stomachic, uterine tonic, vermifuge
Modern Research:
Melissa officinalis L: A Review Study With an Antioxidant Prospective This review article was aimed not only to introduce Melissa officinalis (its growth condition, its chemical compounds, and its traditional usages) but also to overview its antioxidant properties in detail.
Assessment of Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis L.) Hydrogels: Quality and Bioactivity in Skin Cells The aim of the study was to design gels with lemon balm extract, assess their quality, and investigate the effect of rosmarinic acid on skin cells in normal conditions and under oxidative stress.
Contraindications:
Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interact with Lemon Balm
Parts Used: Whole herb
Constituents: volatile oils (citral, citronellal, eugenol acetate, geraniol) polyphenols, tannin, flavonoids, rosmarinic acid, triterpenoids
Folk applications: Soaked in wine and shared with a prospect to induce love. Hang upon a blade that caused a wound to make the wound stop bleeding. Included in charms to ensure success.
Personal Observations:
Fresh:
Dried:
Water infusion from dried: Fruity smelling, slightly bitter, and a little soapy.
Alcohol infusion from dried: Amber brown like dark whiskey, grassy flavored with a mild camphor aftertaste.
Oil infusion:
Essential oil:
My Lemon Balm Reciepts
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