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Lemon
Balm herb
(Melissa officinalis)
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Medicinally
Lemon balm is known for its calming and soothing
properties. Lemon balm has sedative properties and
is used to treat sleeping problems, stimulation of
the appetite and nervous stomach ailments. .
Lemon balm has antiviral effects, which is
believed to be caused by the inhibition of protein
synthesis.
The polyphenols in lemon balm explain the
antioxidant activity.
The tea is taken to treat colds and flu, lower
blood pressure and for insomnia and indigestion.
Balm is an excellent carminative herb that
relieves spasms in the digestive tract, and is
used in cases of flatulent dyspepsia. Because of
its mild anti-depressive properties, it is
primarily indicated where there is dyspepsia
associated with anxiety or depression, as the
gently sedative oils relieve tension & stress
reactions, thus acting to lighten depression.
Primary chemical constituents of this herb include
essential oil (citral, linalool, eugenol,
citronellal, geraniol), tannins, bitter
principle, resin, tannins, polyphenols, flavonoids,
succinic acid, and rosmarinic acid. The volatile
oils appear to act between the digestive tract and
nervous system. It may be used effectively in
conditions of migraine that are associated with
tension, neuralgia, anxiety induced palpitations,
and/or insomnia. Lemon balm has a tonic effect on
the heart and circulatory system causing mild
vasodilation of the peripheral vessels, thus
lowering blood pressure. It can be used in
feverish conditions such as influenza. Hot water
extracts have anti-viral properties, possibly due
in part to rosmarinic acid and other polyphenolics
constituents. A lotion-based extract may be used
for skin lesions of herpes simplex, the anti-viral
activity having been confirmed in both laboratory
and clinical trial. It also inhibits the receptor
binding and biological activity of immunoglobulins
in the blood of patients with Graves disease, a
condition which results in hyperthyroidism. German
studies show that the essential oil of Lemon Balm
acts upon the part of the brain governing the
autonomic nervous system and protect the cerbrum
from excessive external stimuli. This is a safe
herb for children, and it tastes very good.
Fresh leaves can be used to sooth insect bites,
and a liniment made with lemon balm will help heal
cold sores
History
The
word Balm is an abbreviation of Balsam, the chief
of sweet-smelling oils. It is so called from its
honeyed sweetness It was highly esteemed by
Paracelsus, who believed it would completely
revivify a man. It was formerly esteemed of great
use in all complaints supposed to proceed from a
disordered state of the nervous system. The London
Dispensary (1696) says: 'An essence of Balm, given
in Canary wine, every morning will renew youth,
strengthen the brain, relieve languishing nature
and prevent baldness.' John Evelyn wrote: 'Balm is
sovereign for the brain, strengthening the memory
and powerfully chasing away melancholy.' Balm
steeped in wine we are told again, 'comforts the
heart and driveth away melancholy and sadness.'
Formerly a spirit of Balm, combined with
lemon-peel, nutmeg and angelica root, enjoyed a
great reputation under the name of Carmelite
water, being deemed highly useful against nervous
headache and neuralgic affections.
Many
virtues were formerly ascribed to this plant.
Gerard says: 'It is profitably planted where bees
are kept. The hives of bees being rubbed with the
leaves of bawme, causeth the bees to keep
together, and causeth others to come with them.'
And again quoting Pliny, 'When they are strayed
away, they do find their way home by it.' Pliny
says: 'It is of so great virtue that though it be
but tied to his sword that hath given the wound it
stauncheth the blood.' Gerard also tells us: 'The
juice of Balm glueth together greene wounds,' and
gives the opinion of Pliny and Dioscorides that
'Balm, being leaves steeped in wine, and the wine
drunk, and the leaves applied externally, were
considered to be a certain cure for the bites of
venomous beasts and the stings of scorpions. It is
now recognized as a scientific fact that the
balsamic oils of aromatic plants make excellent
surgical dressings: they give off ozone and thus
exercise anti-putrescent effects. Being chemical
hydrocarbons, they contain so little oxygen that
in wounds dressed with the fixed balsamic herbal
oils, the atomic germs of disease are starved out,
and the resinous parts of these balsamic oils, as
they dry upon the sore or wound, seal it up and
effectually exclude all noxious air.
The
Arabs introduced Lemon Balm as medicinal herb, a
tea that was taken for anxiety and depression.
Melissa tea is still known in France today as a
remedy for fatigue and headaches. Melissa derives
its name from the Greek for honeybee. The leaves
were rubbed onto beehives to prevent swarming and
to encourage the bees to return to the hives. The
Greek physician Dioscorides wrote about it being
used for scorpions stings and insect and dog
bites.
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Lemon
Balm herb C/O
(Melissa officinalis)
Origin
Bulgaria 
Lemon
Balm soothes the nerves and is a spirit
lifter. Lemon Balm also is beneficial to
the female reproductive system relieving menstrual
pain, irritability and
depression associated with PMS
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For
educational purposes only This information
has not been evaluated by the Food and
Drug Administration.
This information is not intended to
diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any
disease. |
