Herb of the Month: Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm)
Welcome to month #3 of my Herb of the Month blog. Today, I didn’t flick through one of my herb books and land on a herb to write about, instead I am choosing to write about Melissa officinalis, commonly known as Lemon Balm. I have old school Lykke Li playing in the background also, so that you can get a sense of my current environment, mind and heart. I think I am in need of Lemon Balm myself.
Melissa officinalis, small, white flowers blooming.
Lemon Balm is one of my top five favourite herbs. I remember learning about Lemon Balm back during my studies. My lecturer, Lis Conlon, said “…think of Lemon Balm as your friend. Her name is Melissa, she is caring and gentle in nature, listens attentively and supports your mind and emotions and will lift your spirits”. We can all rely on Melissa in times of need, and in return grow and nurture her if we have the space to grow herbs.
Lemon Balm is in the mint family, Lamiaceae. The leaves are very similar to peppermint, however Lemon Balm has large, heart-shaped leaves and a little rough, compared to the mint leaves. Lemon Balm is native to Central and South Europe, expanding to Iran and Central Asia in the earlier days and now we can find Lemon Balm across the globe.
I use this plant for its properties in soothing tense digestion and easing an anxious mind, especially in cases where nervousness and tension impact digestion. Lemon Balm contains volatile oils, triterpenes, phenolic acid and flavonoids, which together work by interacting with the nervous system and the gastro-intestinal tract to balance neurotransmitters and have an anxiolytic, anti-depressant, anti-inflammatory, cardio-protective, antioxidant, anti-viral, anti-pyretic, anti-fungal, and antibacterial effect on the body.
DID YOU KNOW? That Lemon Balm has a historic use in attracting honeybees. Research shows that Lemon contains compounds, specifically, citral and geraniol, which are found in the worker honeybee’s Nasonov gland, which helps bees communicate about food sources and hive location. The honeybee’s pheromone contains nerolic acid, which is similar to the nerol found in Melissa officinalis.
Culpeper (English botanist, herbalist and physician in mid 17th century) associated Lemon Balm with the planet Jupiter and the astrological constellation Cancer. Lemon balm was described by Culpepper as a herb that ‘causes the mind and heart to become merry and reviveth the heart’.“When feeling downhearted, heavy-hearted, or depressed, Jupiter’s uplifting and radiant influence on consciousness parallels Lemon Balm’s effects on the spirit. Paracelsus held Lemon Balm in high regard, placing it under the rulership of Jupiter as well. In regards to the elements, I associate Lemon Balm with the Air Element, primarily due to its profound impact on the nervous system and its capacity to relax tension, constriction, and spasms. Moreover, its rich aromatic nature aligns with the Air Element’s properties. These are some ways I perceive this remarkable plant in an esoteric context.” ~ Sajah Popham, Herbalist, Medical Astrology, founder of the School of Evolutionary Herbalism.
If you find yourself experiencing consistent bouts of nervousness, irritability, anxiety, melancholy, sleeplessness, fear of failure, low self-esteem, chronic stress or even digestive upset then this herb is for you! I have had profound results using Lemon Balm for all of these cases. I always create individualised herbal tonics for my clients, but Lemon Balm is always in the mix. I highly recommend Lemon Balm to any one including babies and children! Unless you are on thyroid medication for hypothyroidism as research does suggests Lemon Balm supports hyperthyroidism, not hypothyroidism.
Lemon Balm can treat melancholia, depression, nervousness, hysteria, anxiety, restlessness, irritability, insomnia, digestive discomfort, dogestive disturbances, colicky or teething children, hyperthyroidism; colds, flus, and fever.
Energetics: Cool, sour, spicy, affects lungs and liver in TCM
Parts Used: Leaf (predominantly) and flower
Action: Cooling, carminative, diaphoretic, calmative, antipyretic, antispasmodic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory.
Preparation: Infusion: 1-2 teaspoons of the dried leaves in 1 cup of water. Let gently simmer for 5-10minutes. 1 cup every 2 hours until fever or cold breaks. To treat anxiety, melancholy, nervousness ~ to tranquilize the nervous system ~ drink 3 cups/daily of the infusion, and can be combined with chamomile for a stronger therapeutics affect.
Safe for babys, children (yummy, lemony taste) and pregnancy.
Caution: Hypothyroidism
You can also get a liquid herbal tonic from your Herbalist.
