“Let food be
thy medicine and medicine be thy food” - Hippocrates
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
Lemon
balm is an easy to grow herb related to the mint family.
It doesn't
establish well in small pots, it's better to plant it in large pots, or
better still into the garden where it will grow 2 or 3 feet tall.
It's quite
hardy and established plants will survive the winter outdoors, but don't
cut back the growth until after the last spring frost, as this insulates
the plant.
If you run
your fingers through the leaves it releases a beautiful lemony aroma.
The leaves
can be used in salads, dressings, herbal teas or juiced into green
drinks.
Links
"Taking
lemon balm can boost memory as well as improve mood, researchers have
found."
"The leaves
and young flowering shoots are antibacterial, antispasmodic, antiviral,
carminative, diaphoretic, digestive, emmenagogue, febrifuge, sedative, and
tonic"
"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"
"Melissa is
renowned among herbalists for its soothing, calming and anti-stress
properties. This accounts for its long history of use as a mild sedative
for tension and for promoting sleep. It's also an effective anti-infective
agent."
