Lemon balm is an aromatic plant useful against anxiety, insomnia and digestive problems. Here’s how to use it.
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Lamaceae family. Thanks to the content of essential oil and flavonoids, it is used against anxiety and insomnia and in intestinal problems.
What is Melissa used for
Lemon balm has above all sedative, spasmolytic and digestive action and serves to treat:
- anxiety and agitation
- palpitations
- sleep disorders
- pains of nervous origin
- migraine
- menstrual pain
- difficult digestion
- meteorism and flatulence
The properties of lemon balm make this remedy particularly suitable to combat states of anxiety accompanied by irritability and restlessness and to relieve other symptoms often related to excessive agitation such as gastrointestinal disorders, headaches, muscle tension, insomnia and palpitations.
Thanks to the sedative, spasmolytic and anti-inflammatory action, moreover, it is an effective plant also for relieving the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.
Lemon balm essential oil also possesses antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant properties. It is used in the topical treatment of herpes simplexor cold sores and mycoses affecting the skin, mucous membranes and nails.
Composition of Melissa
Lemon balm is a small perennial herbaceous plant used in herbal medicine and herbal medicine. The drug of the plant is represented by the leaves rich in essential oil and flavonoids, as well as organic acids – including rosmarinoco acid – and tannins.
The active ingredients of lemon balm give this small aromatic plant sedative properties of the nervous system, spasmolytic, digestive and carminative.
In addition, the rosmarinic acid present in the leaves of lemon balm seems to regulate the production of thyroid hormones, so it can help in case of hyperthyroidism.
The essentialoil is also responsible for the aroma that characterizes the whole plant, and the pleasant taste of lemon balm, reminiscent of lemon, which is why lemon balm is also known as limoncina plant.
All uses of Melissa
Lemon balm is used to improve digestive processes, regulate intestinal motility and reduce abdominal swelling, promote relaxation and good mood.
Internally it can be taken alone or in combination with other plants with a similar action – such as lavender, passionflower, chamomile – in the form of an infusion or mother tincture or by resorting to a lemon balm supplement. The benefits of the plant can also be exploited by using essential oil and hydrosol, both for internal and external use.
Lemon balm considered a safe remedy with negligible side effects. Its use is not recommended in pregnancy, lactation and children, although in these cases it is always better to consult your doctor.
Taken internally, high dosages are to be avoided and for long periods, especially in people suffering from hypothyroidism because, as we have seen regarding the use of lemon balm and thyroid, this plant can reduce the production of thyroid hormones.
Infusion with lemon balm
Lemon balm herbal tea is prepared with 2-4 grams of lemon balm leaves left to infuse for 5 minutes in 150 milliliters of very hot but not boiling water. You can consume one to three cups a day.
Mother tincture of lemon balm
40 drops diluted in a little water one to three times a day after meals to promote digestion or before bedtime to facilitate sleep.
Lemon balm essential oil
Adrop diluted in 10 milliliters of sunflower oil or other vegetable oil for relaxing massages all over the body or localized to the belly for menstrual pain and intestinal problems.
Lemon balm hydrosol
Lemon balm hydrosol can be taken internally for digestive problems, nausea and abdominal pain, diluting two tablespoons in a liter of water, to be drunk during the day. For internal use it is necessary to choose food-grade lemon balm water.
In cosmetics, hydrosol is used for its purifying, refreshing, antioxidant and soothing effect.
