Lemon balm has long been used in folk medicine, and now in official medicine. It is also widely used in cooking as a spice with a refreshing lemon flavor.
In cooking, the leaves and shoots of the plant are cut before flowering begins. They are added in dried form to fish and meat dishes, mushrooms and salad. In some European countries, this herb is used for preserving meat. You can brew delicious tea with lemon balm, which, in addition to its excellent taste, also has a calming effect. To make tea, take one spoonful of dried herbs and one glass of boiling water, brewed for 15 minutes. If you wish, you can add lemon and honey, in this case you get a delicious tonic drink. Melissa can also be mixed with black or green tea, it will relieve colds, relieve muscle tension and spasms of internal organs, and strengthen the cardiovascular system.
To preserve the aromatic bouquet when making tea, lemon balm is not recommended to be boiled.
Melissa is also used in the form of decoctions and infusions; it owes its healing properties to the essential oils contained in it in large quantities. It includes B vitamins, ascorbic acid, calcium, magnesium, iron, selenium and many other trace elements. To prepare the infusion, you need to take 2 tbsp. l. dry herb leaves and pour two glasses of boiling water. The container must be tightly closed with a lid and wrapped, infused for several hours in a dark place. Then strain and take half a glass before meals, you can add a spoonful of honey for taste. This infusion helps with pain in the heart, reduces shortness of breath, lowers blood pressure, increases appetite and blood hemoglobin levels.
Lemon balm infusion relieves bad breath, helps with gum disease, toothache and sore throat.
To prepare the broth, lemon balm is taken at the rate of 1 tbsp. l. dry herbs in a glass of boiling water and cooked in a water bath for 10-15 minutes. Then it needs to be cooled, filtered and taken on a spoon before meals. The broth relieves colic in the gastrointestinal tract, and with increased nervous excitement and insomnia, it should be taken in a glass before bedtime. It is also widely used for headaches, fainting conditions.
For bruises, minor abrasions and scratches, compresses are made from lemon balm. They will also help with joint inflammation (arthritis), gout, furunculosis and many skin problems. To prepare the compress, take dried leaves, scalded with boiling water, wrapped in gauze folded in several layers, and then applied to the sore spot. The essential oil obtained from lemon balm is used in the treatment of gynecological problems and the normalization of metabolism.
Melissa is a medicinal herb, so it has a number of contraindications for use. Its use is not recommended with low blood pressure, as it will further lower it, and this will cause weakness and dizziness. When using lemon balm for medicinal purposes, you need to know that it reduces concentration and reaction speed, so it is better not to drive a vehicle. Also, it should not be taken by people with individual intolerance to this herb and allergies to it. In case of an overdose, diarrhea, drowsiness, muscle weakness, nausea and vomiting are possible.
When dried, lemon balm should not be mixed with other herbs, but should be stored in tightly closed cans. Since this plant is quite unpretentious, it can be grown not only in the garden, but also on the windowsill in pots. All you need is good watering and plenty of sunshine.
