Because of its lemony smell, the plant is usually called “lemon balm“. But other folk names such as Nervenkräutel, Frauenwohl, Herztrost also point to the multifaceted use in the past and present. As a gentle medicine for body and soul, lemon balm is good for laymen to use.
Health effects of lemon balm
Melissa has a decongestant, sedative, antibacterial and virustatic effect. Wherever rhythmic processes are disturbed, this medicinal plant is used, for example, in:
- Heart trouble
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Menstrual cramps
- Sleep disorders
- Restlessness
In recent scientific research in the UK, lemon balm has been found to boost brain power, which is likely to provide support for dementia sufferers.
Application of lemon balm
Melissa tea – used externally – can eliminate skin blemishes. A steam bath is effective against oily skin. In addition, this medicinal plant is an effective alternative to synthetic virustatics against cold sores. This is mainly due to the tannin-like rosmarinic acid present in the plant.
The essential oil obtained by steam distillation is used in various medicinal preparations, but also in liqueur factories, perfumeries and natural cosmetics companies. Anyone who wants to use high-quality melissa oil of natural origin for aromatherapy at home should consult a pharmacy or an aromatherapist for advice.
Melissa as a culinary herb
Lemon balm is also popular in the kitchen. It can enhance the taste and appearance of desserts and drinks, and is a refreshing herb for salads.
History of lemon balm
Like many other medicinal plants, lemon balm immigrated from southern areas. During ancient times, lemon balm was valued not only as a medicinal plant for heart disease, animal bites and spleen ailments, but also as bee food:
- Pliny (24-79) wrote 2,000 years ago, “No flowers are dearer to bees than lemon balm.”
- Charlemagne (747-814) ordered lemon balm to be grown in the state estates.
- Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) wrote: “Lemon balm is warm. A person who eats it likes to laugh, because its warmth affects the spleen and therefore the heart is pleased.”
- Paracelsus (1493-1541) also applied the plant in the sense of the doctrine of signatures because of its heart-shaped leaves in heart disease: “Melissa is of all things that the earth produces the best herb for the heart.” He also used lemon balm to cure “contractures and paralysis,” against podagra, leprosy, asthma, and to “renew the powers of the body.”
Things to know about the plant
Belonging to the labiates family, lemon balm grows up to 80 centimeters in height and loves sunny places sheltered from the wind. The fairly undemanding plant can be easily planted in your own garden.
The medicinally active components of lemon balm are found mainly in the leaves, which have fine hairs on the upper side. Therefore, they should be harvested before the flowering period, which usually extends from July to August.
