Melissa officinalis is a herbaceous plant widely distributed in many regions of the Earth’s Northern Hemisphere. For more than two thousand years, people have been using it to treat many diseases. What are the indications and contraindications for the use of lemon balm medicinal? How to grow it in your garden? Read more about all the properties and characteristics of the plant in our article.
What is lemon balm?
Plants of the genus Melissa are perennial herbs that belong to the labiaceae family. In nature, they are found in places with a warm subtropical climate and do not tolerate the effect of cold air. They can grow in the temperate zone.
The native land of the plant is Western Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean. Now it is found in North America, North Africa, in the countries of Asia Minor, Central and Southern Europe. It is cultivated in Ukraine, Russia, the Baltic states and the Caucasus.
Melissa has many names. Because of its bright aroma with a lemon tint, it was called “lemon mint”, and because of the large number of essential oils that attract bees, it is called “honey” or “mother liquor”.
The most famous species of this genus is Melissa officinalis. The plant is valued not only as a honey plant, but also as a folk remedy for various diseases. This is a universal remedy that can be used for treatment, beauty, maintaining immunity, etc. In addition to medicinal properties, Melissa officinalis has other important qualities, due to which it is used in cooking and cosmetology.
Appearance and features
Melissa officinalis or lemon mint lives for several years. It grows from 30 centimeters to one and a half meters in height. In appearance, it can be confused with real mint, however, plants have characteristic differences. They differ in the shape of the bushes, the color of the leaves and flowers, as well as the aroma.
Mint leaves are elongated and sharp. The leaves of lemon balm, on the contrary, are oval and gradually taper towards the end. They are painted in a light green tint, and the touch is a little velvety.
Peppermint grows up to a meter high. It has smooth stems that end in purple inflorescences resembling spikelets in shape. In lemon balm, the stem is highly branched and covered with small hairs. Her small flowers are painted in white, pink or light lilac. They are collected in inflorescences false whorls and are located at the base of the petioles. Melissa begins to bloom in June, and already in August-September there are quite large black fruits of an elongated ovoid shape.
Chemical composition
The culinary and medicinal properties of lemon balm, for which it is valued, are determined by the presence in its composition of vitamins, minerals and other useful substances. It lacks dietary fiber and saturated fatty acids, but it contains proteins, carbohydrates, fats, as well as zinc, iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, manganese, sodium and copper.
In addition, the melissa officinalis contains: beta-carotene, vitamins C, B1, B2, B6, B9, PP, A. The plant contains substances flavonoids with antioxidant and antibacterial effects, coumarins with antispasmodic effect. Melissa also contains tannins and a variety of acids (coffee, salicylic, lilac) and ethers.
Indications for use
Melissa officinalis was studied back in ancient Rome. Already then there was talk that the grass helps with inflammation and insect bites, with various pains. In the Middle Ages, it was believed that it is able to heal the spleen and melancholy, relieves asthma, stomach ulcers and joint diseases.
Today, the herb Melissa officinalis is used in both official and traditional medicine. Indications for its use are cramping, headaches, diseases of the cardiovascular system and gastrointestinal tract. It is useful for inflammation, swelling, digestive problems and excretory system. In folk medicine, the herb is used against gout, joint diseases, in the treatment of hemorrhoids and constipation, to increase milk in nursing mothers, in case of menstruation.
Lemon mint has a calming effect on the body, so it is used for all kinds of nervous disorders - neurosis, sleep disturbance, stress, irritability and depression. Coumarins in its composition have antitumor and anticoagulant effects. Due to the high content of essential oils, lemon balm well eliminates inflammation, fights against herpes viruses, colds, measles.
Side effects and contraindications
The use of lemon balm medicinal, with all its advantages, can have negative consequences. Like other herbs, it can cause allergic reactions in case of personal intolerance. The main contraindication of lemon balm is chronic low blood pressure. It is not recommended to use it also during the use of sedatives.
Side effects from lemon balm occur when it is used too often or in unlimited doses. Possible consequences include diarrhea, dizziness, heartburn, muscle cramps, itching, and nausea.
In addition, the calming and relaxing effects of lemon mint can negatively affect performance. Grass causes drowsiness, can cause muscle weakness and fatigue. It should not be used before driving and other activities that require a quick reaction, high concentration of attention, active thought processes.
Melissa in cosmetology
Due to its rich composition and a wide range of properties, lemon balm is popular in cosmetology and pharmaceuticals. It perfectly tones the skin, stimulates the restoration of its cells and removes toxins from them. Melissa has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Lemon mint extract is added to various tonics, lotions, aromatic waters and creams. As part of cosmetics, it is able to not only give its own flavor, but also enhance the aroma of other components. It can often be found in combination with lavender, bergamot, jasmine, orange.
At home, lemon balm is used as masks and lotions for acne, inflammation, and swelling. Herbal tincture is used against peeling and dry skin, lotion - against oily and black spots. For hair and scalp, decoctions and masks are usually used. It is believed that lemon balm eliminates dandruff, nourishes the hair and promotes their growth. Fresh plant juice can be added to various shampoos, balms and other personal care products.
Melissa Recipes
In order for Melissa officinalis to benefit, you need to know in what proportions and with what ingredients it can be used. Here are some recipes with her:
- For pain in the stomach, asthma and respiratory diseases, a decoction is used that enhances sweating, and also acts as a laxative and diuretic. So, 20 grams of lemon balm is poured with two glasses of water and boiled for 10 minutes. Filter and drink a teaspoon three times a day.
- To relax and improve sleep, they drink lemon balm tea. For this, grass leaves are poured with boiling water and then boiled for 10-15 minutes.
- To prepare a hair mask, 2 tablespoons of dry grass is poured with a liter of boiling water and insisted for about 20 minutes. Then filter and pour on the head, gently rubbing the tincture into the skin.
- In case of bruises, abscesses or pains in joints, compresses are prepared from gauze soaked in lemon balm tincture.
- A mask of crushed leaves of fresh grass mixed with melted butter and honey helps against peeling and dryness of the skin of the face. It is applied to clean skin and kept for half an hour, and then washed off with warm water.
Melissa in cooking
The use of lemon balm is not limited to the medical field. In fresh or dried form, it has long been used in cooking. Thanks to its pleasant lemon aroma, it is an excellent spice. It is added to various sauces, salads, meat and fish dishes, soups and even drinks.
Melissa is added to milk, cottage cheese, yoghurts and other dairy products. Teas, compotes and beer are prepared with dry grass, and wine and broths are seasoned with it. Leaves and twigs of lemon balm add piquancy to lamb and veal, great for canning vegetables.
Fresh lemon mint is good to add to marinades. In hot dishes it is better to add it in a dry form. But it is advisable to do this at the very end of cooking, just a few minutes before removing from the stove. If you add seasoning too early, then its aroma will quickly disappear, without creating the desired effect.
Plantations of lemon mint
For the production of drugs, cosmetics and culinary products, Melissa officinalis is grown on plantations. It is propagated by seeds, layering or root cuttings. It grows best not in fresh land, but in areas where potatoes or crops were previously grown.
Melissa prefers soils mixed with sand and clay with an acidity level of 4.5 to 7.8. She loves the sun, but does not tolerate dryness, therefore, when growing on plantations, it requires constant regulation of humidity. An excess of water can also harm it and lead to the appearance of fungi.
Melissa may well grow in the shade. In nature, it is found not only in well-lit forest edges, but also in shady ravines and ravines. However, under such conditions, it becomes less fragrant and brings much less fruit. In various countries, it is grown both on the plains and on mountain hills up to one kilometer above sea level.
Melissa on the windowsill
If you want to engage in the cultivation of this wonderful grass yourself, it is not necessary to allocate hectares of land for it. Cultivation of lemon balm is possible on a small bed, and on the windowsill. To do this, you need to choose high-quality seeds and a non-acidic substrate.
Plant seeds do not need to be stratified or prepared in advance. It is quite simple to lower them into the soil substrate to a depth of about 0.5 cm. The main thing is not to select seeds older than 2-3 years, by this time they will already lose their germination.
The pot for planting should not be too small, but a huge box for this is also not necessary. A container with a diameter of 20-30 centimeters and about the same depth is quite suitable. Melissa is usually planted in March, when there is enough natural light and heat for the plant to sprout without much effort. The best temperature for this is 20-24 degrees.
The first sprouts appear in a week or two. When they get stronger and extended, they can be periodically trimmed from above. In this case, the side shoots will appear more actively, and the lemon balm will be very magnificent. Tied buds can also be safely trimmed - so more greens will appear on the plant, and nutrients will not be spent on maintaining flowers.
In one pot, lemon balm lives quietly for 3-4 years, after which it should be transplanted into a container with new earth. On a well-lit window sill, the plant feels best, but will not die in the shade. In winter, lemon balm perfectly dispenses with additional illumination, only the leaves become less fragrant and lighter. It requires watering several times a week, but does not like stagnation of moisture. If you comply with the necessary conditions and monitor the lemon balm, the plant will regularly supply you with healthy herbs and delight with lemon aroma for more than one year.
