Everything about Lemon Balm totally explained
Lemon balm (
Melissa officinalis), not to be confused with
bee balm,
Monarda species, is a
perennial herb in the
mint family
Lamiaceae, native to southern
Europe and the
Mediterranean region.
It grows to 70-150 cm tall. The
leaves have a gentle
lemon scent, related to mint. At the end of the summer, little white
flowers full of nectar appear. These attract
bees, hence the genus name
Melissa (
Greek for 'honey bee'). Its
flavour comes from the
terpenes
citronellal,
citronellol,
citral, and
geraniol.
Cultivation and use
Cultivation
This herb can be easy to cultivate in
United States Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 4 to 9. In zone 4, it needs winter mulch and a well-drained sandy soil to survive. In zone 7, it can be harvested at least until the end of November. It is moderately shade-tolerant, much more so than most herbs. In dry climates, it grows best in partial shade.
Lemon Balm grows in clumps and spreads vegetatively as well as by seed. In mild
temperate zones, the stems of the plant die off at the start of the
winter, but shoot up again in
spring. It can be easily grown from stem cuttings rooted in water, or from seeds. Under ideal conditions, it'll seed itself prolifically and can become a nuisance in gardens.
Food and drink
Lemon balm is often used as a flavouring in
ice cream and
herbal teas, both hot and
iced, often in combination with other
herbs such as
spearmint. It is also frequently paired with fruit dishes or
candies.
Medicinal uses
The crushed leaves, when rubbed on the skin, are used as a repellant for
mosquitos.
Lemon Balm is also used medicinally as a herbal tea, or in extract form. It is claimed to have antibacterial, antiviral properties, and it's also used as a mild sedative or calming agent. At least one study has found it to be effective at reducing stress, although the study's authors call for further research. Its antibacterial properties have also been demonstrated scientifically, although they're markedly weaker than those from a number of other plants studied.
Lemon balm
essential oil is very popular in
aromatherapy. The essential oil is commonly co-distilled with lemon oil,
citronella oil, or other oils.
Contraindications
Lemon balm should be avoided by those on thyroid medication (such as thyroxine) as it's believed that the herb inhibits the absorption of this medicine.
Gallery
Image:Melissa1.jpg
Image:Melissa officinalis01.jpg|Leaves
Image:Melissa officinalis1.jpg|Leaves
Image:Melissa officinalis2.JPG|Leaves
Image:Melissa officinalis3.JPG|Plant
Further Information
Get more info on 'Lemon Balm'.
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