10 Reasons to Grow Lemon Balm

 

LEMON BALM IS a superb PERMACULTURE PLANT

This permaculture plant may be a welcomed guest to any forest garden! The brassicas in your life will many thanks , as lemon balm makes the right companion plant.

Keep in mind that like mint, lemon balm grows incredibly fast in rich, well drained, moist soil that receives many sun. within the right conditions, it can even become massive. Once you discover all of the useful benefits of getting this plant around, I’m sure you’ll be quite fine with that!

LEMON BALM IS LOVED BY BEES

Bees are enamored with the irresistible nectar that’s filled in lemon balm flowers. Because this herb contains a number of an equivalent chemicals that are in bee pheromones, modern beekeepers use an ancient technique of crushing the leaves to draw worker bees to their newly built hives.

In fact, the genus name, Melissa, springs from the Greek and means honey bee! In mythology, Melissa was a nymph that was said to possess discovered and taught about the various uses of honey and eventually honey bees acquired her name. Pretty cool!

LEMON BALM REPELS ANNOYING BUGS

This herb has the power to repel ants, mosquitoes, and flies with its high amount of compounds that resemble the scent of citronella.

Try making my easy herbal no bug balm to stay those pesky mosquitoes at range. Out on a hike and forgot to bring your bug balm? Find some lemon balm, crush the leaves, and rub them directly onto your skin!

LEMON BALM HAS MEDICINAL BENEFITS

Not only is that this plant great within the garden, but it’s also a superb gem to stay in your herbal remedy cabinet.

Ancient Greeks used lemon balm steeped in wine to alleviate the symptoms of fevers. Put together your own ginger and lemon balm cold/flu syrup to alleviate those self same symptoms today.

This super healing ointment uses the antiviral effects of lemon balm to quickly clear up cold sores. you'll also use it in an herbal salve to hurry healing of minor wounds.

Lemon balm can also reduce menstrual cramps and PMS when taken daily for a protracted period of your time .

As aromatherapy, this medicinal plant is inhaled to enhance the standard of lifetime of patients with Alzheimer’s disease by improving their memory, mood, and agitation.

LEMON BALM may be a CALMING PLANT

Lemon balm leaves are sedative and taking a tincture or capsule of this highly medicinal plant can improve mood by alleviating stress, anxiety, and tension headaches. it's believed that rosmarinic acid found in lemon balm is liable for activating the GABA receptors within the brain that promote relaxation.

Lemon balm also can boost brain power to assist you stay focused. Even taking a sniff of those aromatic leaves can reduce agitation and promote relaxation.

This herbal powerhouse also can aid in easing the disorder insomnia by reducing restlessness, and supporting an honest night’s sleep.

Brew yourself a tea of lemon balm leaves and chamomile or valerian root for a soothing and restful sleep.

LEMON BALM may be a DIGESTIVE AID

Lemon balm is calming to the gastrointestinal system . A tea made with lemon balm can help soothe upset stomachs, relieve gas, and even bloating.

Chop up a tablespoon of fresh or dried leaves, infuse them in 8 ounces of boiling water for a couple of minutes, and luxuriate in a cup after a meal. this is often far and away my favorite thanks to use it!

LEMON BALM may be a CHILDREN’S HERB

Lemon balm is a superb herb for youngsters , one among the best! it's totally safe and highly regarded for youngsters , and is usually wont to calm a sleepless or hyperactive child. We parents could all use a touch of that action!

I have a recipe in my book Healing Herbal Infusions for a Children’s Calming Tea that contains lemon balm.

Small amounts of lemon balm tea also can tend to teething or colicky babies to assist reduce discomfort.

LEMON BALM is sweet IN BATH & BODY PRODUCTS

The leaves of this beneficial herb are loaded with potent antioxidants that you simply can cash in of during this lemon balm soap.

Fill a jar ¾ of the way full with lemon balm leaves and canopy them with apple vinegar . After infusing for a couple of days, you’re left with the right hair rinse!

Or perhaps a soothing bath soak are going to be more your speed (just use lemon balm rather than mint).

LEMON BALM MAKES DELICIOUS FOOD

If tea isn't your thing, you'll still reap the advantages of lemon balm!

Start by adding chopped leaves to salads, food , sorbets or smoothies. Try making this gorgeous lemon balm bundt cake or shortbread cookies!

You can just about use it in situ of lemon rind in any dish that needs slightly of lemon flavor, like in jams for brightness or try it during a compound butter.

On a hot day this summer, try making lemon balm meringue frozen dessert or herbal popsicles with fresh lemon balm and lavender!

LEMON BALM TASTES GREAT IN DRINKS

Carmelite nuns developed an aromatic cordial within the 14th century made up of infusing lemon balm leaves, lemon rind , nutmeg, and angelica root in alcohol. This concoction was very fashionable with reducing headaches and was also used as a perfume.

Chartreuse and Benedictine liqueurs are still around today and are said to possess healing properties. are you able to guess what one among the most ingredients is?

Another thanks to use lemon balm leaves is to infuse them in honey and add a dollop to your healing teas as a pleasant way to unwind at the top of the day.

If it’s a warm day, misunderstanding some ice tea with lemon balm leaves or sip on this refreshing beekeeper’s balm cocktail!

Hopefully these 10 reasons will inspire you to start out growing lemon balm! If growing your own isn’t possible at this point , you'll order dried lemon balm from my favorite herb shop, Rosa pendulina Herbs.