
Lemon balm | Melissa officinalis
general characteristics
general characteristics
Common names include lemon balm, bee balm, melissa, hearts delight, sweet balm. cure all.
The given Latin name Melissa comes from the Greek word mélissa meaning 'bee' which in turn comes from meli meaning 'honey'.
Organic lemon balm tincture and dried herb are available to buy in our herbal shop.
harvesting and preparation
harvesting and preparation
Fresh lemon balm leaves retain their volatile oils much more than dried so grow some in the garden if at all possible. A terracotta pot will do just as well (if you have no access to earth) or sprinkle a few seeds in your local park/green space for a continuous supply.
Lemon balm is very easy to grow in the garden in a suitable spot, not too wet, well drained and sunny if possible. If allowed to flower it self seeds easily.
Cut regularly (once a month or so) to encourage fresh new growth for future harvest and use. When the plant flowers, the leaves loose their fresh zingy taste and colour and tend to develop white grey patches on the leaves. Regular cropping will delay flowering until later in the summer and allows for a much longer season in which to harvest the vibrant fresh leaves.
Lay the leaves (or whole stalks with leaves still on) out on a tray or paper to dry, place in a warm place such as an airing cupboard and check regularly for spoilage. Store in a jar in a cool dark place. The herb does not retain its intense lemon smell when dried so use fresh if you want the essential oils to breeze through your nostrils.
therapeutic actions and uses
therapeutic actions and uses
dosage and cautions
dosage and cautions
Lemon balm is generally considered to be a very safe and gentle herb suitable for regular use and for use in children.
* Some sources state to avoid in cases of hypothyroidism due to its lowering of TSH. Many herbalists however observe that it has more of a balancing effect on thyroid hormones. To muddy the water further, some suggest to avoid in all cases of thyroid imbalance. Use caution and common sense if using for any thyroid disorder and start slowly and gently, noting any changes. Discontinue immediately if symptoms worsen.
* Use with caution if taking prescribed medicines such as sedatives, barbiturates, thyroid treatments, SSRI's, glaucoma medicines.
* May increase intraocular pressure so be careful of usage and dose if you have glaucoma.
Tincture: 0.25ml , half a teaspoon in water up to 3 times daily
Dried leaf in tea form: 1 teaspoon of leaves per cup, up to 3 times daily. For insomnia, up to 3 teaspoons of dried herb in a cup an hour or so before bed to induce sleep.
Fresh herb in tea form: use a teaspoon of chopped freah herb per cup, up to 3 times daily.
Children
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