I Heart Herbs-Lemon Balm

*Please note - The information provided is collected from my various herbal books, classes, and personal research. I am not a doctor. Always, always, always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider before beginning any new treatment. Do your own research and think for yourself. Don't believe everything you read. Questions are good!

Lemon Balm

Latin Name: Melissa officinalis

Plant Family: Lamiaceae

Character: cold, dry, slightly bitter, sour 

Constituents: bitter, flavonoids, polyphenols, rosmarinic acid, tannins, volatile oil

Actions: antibacterial, anti-depressant, antispasmodic, antiviral, carminative, diaphoretic, digestive stimulant, nervine, relaxes peripheral blood vessels, sedative

Parts used for medicine: leaves, fresh leaves, dried leaves, fresh aerial parts 

Harvest before flowering. 

Melissa comes from the Greek word for "honey bee". 

Lemon Balm has the same healing and tonic properties as 

honey and royal jelly. 

Lemon Balm Knowledge

Lemon Balm was a favorite in medieval times for it was considered to be an elixir of youth.

The leaves are great for depression and for anyone suffering from anxious digestive upsets.

Lemon Balm leaves are good for feverish colds.

It makes a refreshing lemon tea in the summer.

Check out this refreshing recipe.

I plan on drinking it on a warm summer day.

Make an infusion for nausea, indigestion, nervous exhaustion, depression, and the early stages of a cold. Use fresh leaves if possible.

The tincture has similar actions to the infusion but stronger. Small doses are usually more effective, dosage 5-10 drops.

Make a compress using a pad soaked in the infusion to relieve any painful swellings, like gout.

Use the ointment for sores, insect bites and as a bug repellent.

For depression, tension, asthma, and bronchitis use hot infused oil as a gentle massage oil.

The essential oil can be used in an ointment base to treat and prevent insect bites.

Just a few drops of lemon balm essential oil creates an excellent antidote for depression.

Make a massage oil with the essential oil in a carrier oil of almond or olive oil and use for tension or chest complaints. 

Lemon Balm Plant Spirit Prayer 

"Fly, little fairy, as fast as you can, 
and bring magic to each lemon balm with the stroke of your hand. 
Using your wand, filled with God's grace, 
make nectar of its leaves for the entire human race."

from "Plant Spirit Journey"

by Laura Silvana

The spirit of lemon balm gives you 
courage, emotional and mental strength. 

Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
 The Magick Muse

Amy Riddle, C.C., Holistic Alchemist and Manifestor of Dreams is a life coach,
reverend, creatress, teacher, writer, herbalist, tapping enthusiast, and all out muse.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Alternative Medicine with an emphasis on herbs. 

She is a certified professional life coach with the Life Coach Institute of Orange County. 

Amy craves to inspire others to be healthy and whole in body, mind, and spirit. 

She has an affinity for striped socks, stinging nettle, and all things faery.