Lemon Balm (Melissa) Herb

Lemon balm, or “Melissa officinalis,” is an herb belonging to the mint family that’s been used for centuries to treat anxiety, sleep disorders, indigestion and wounds.  It was dedicated to the goddess Diana, and used medicinally by the Greeks some 2,000 years ago. 

As a medicinal plant, lemon balm has traditionally been employed against bronchial inflammation, earache, fever, flatulence, headaches, high blood pressure, influenza, mood disorders, palpitations, toothache and vomiting. A tea made from Lemon balm leaves is said to soothe menstrual cramps and helps relieve PMS. 

Lemon Balm (Melissa) is an aromatic herb with cooling and sedative properties, lowering fever, improving digestion, relaxing spasms and improving peripheral blood vessels. It is used to treat nervous disorders, indigestion and excitability developing from nervous disorders, hyperthyroidism and depression, anxiety and tension headaches. 

You can make lemon balm tea by steeping 1/4 to 1 tsp. of dried herb in hot water. You can drink the tea up to four times daily. You can also make topical applications of the tea for treating certain skin problems by steeping 2 to 4 tsp. of crushed lemon balm leaves in one cup of boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes. Then, apply the tea to your skin using cotton balls.