Lemon Balm
I adore lemon balm and love everything about it. Its scent, its calming properties, the fact that it helps keep cold sores in check, how it tastes in iced drinks—it’s pretty great. Keep reading to learn more about this gem!
Diving Deeper
Botanical Name
Melissa officinalis
Family
Lamiaceae (mint)
Parts Used
Leaves
Plant Properties
Relaxant/sedative, antispasmodic, increases sweating, carminative, antiviral, nerve tonic, antioxidant
Energetics
Cooling and drying. However, energetics from the mint family tend to vary, depending on the person.
Preparations Used
Tea, Tincture, Infusion, Poultice, Wash, Essential Oil, Hydrosol, Food
Uses For Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm is exceptionally wonderful in helping calm the central nervous system. This means it is invaluable for things such as anxiety, mild depression, irritability, stress, and even insomnia. For insomnia, it works especially well when combined with valerian.
According to several studies from the early 2000’s, Lemon Balm has shown to be beneficial for those suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Lemon Balm also works on cognition and has long been used to strengthen the brain. According to HerbMentor:
In one small 2018 pilot study, 44 healthy people with an average age of 61 were given either a combination of sage (Salvia officinalis), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), and lemon balm or a placebo for two weeks, and then asked to perform word recall tests to measure memory enhancement. The study indicated that lemon balm was more effective than placebo and the researchers called for more studies to look at lemon balm’s effects on broader cognitive health.
The antiviral property has been found to specifically relieve and reduce cold sore outbreaks. This can be great news to many! By taking the herb internally it helps prevent cold sores, and by applying it externally it can help relieve an outbreak.
An overactive thyroid seems to be helped by using lemon balm along with bugleweed and motherwort. It’s worth noting that if you have an underactive thyroid you may want to use caution and use lemon balm in moderation. Although, there does not seem to be any formal clinical evidence of it being an issue.
Lemon Balm is also useful in protecting the heart by modulating inflammation and relaxing the heart.
It has also been shown to help those with Type 2 Diabetes by improving the lipid profile and glycemic control.
Lemon Balm makes a delicious after dinner tea as it helps calm the digestion, reduces gas, bloating, and acidity.
Women may find Lemon Balm useful for helping relieve menstrual cramping due to its antispasmodic and relaxing properties.
Lemon Balm can be a wonderful herb for children. It can help calm little ones down at night due to hyperactivity. The tea tastes lovely which means most children will be happy to drink it before bed. I’ve also heard making lemon balm popsicles is a wonderful summer treat! Combining it with chamomile would be wonderful as well, especially if the child is teething or colicky.
Chewing up a little fresh Lemon Balm and placing it on an insect sting or bite can help soothe the pain and reduce the swelling.
Things to note
As mentioned above, there may be some concern for those with an underactive thyroid. It would be wise to use this plant only in moderation and speak to an herbal practitioner.
Put it into practice
Here are some lovely ways to use all that fresh Lemon Balm. Or the dried. But I will say, that it’s not nearly as fragrant and lovely as the fresh. So if you’re able to grow it I suggest you do!
Make a calming tea
Turn the fresh leaves into a tincture
Make an infused oil
Flavor some local honey with the fresh leaves (this recipe is for lilac honey, but the same concept applies)
Enjoy a refreshing Strawberry Lemon Balm Lemonade (recipe coming soon)
Make Lemon Balm popsicles
Soak a washcloth in a lemon balm tea for a teething little one to suck on
Make a lovely hydrosol from the fresh leaves
WHERE TO PURCHASE
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If you are unable to grow your own herbs, or find ingredients locally, then here are two of my favorite places to buy bulk ingredients:
This company is where I purchase the majority of my seeds. Great selection of heirloom and/or organic seeds:
These are hands down my favorite seed starting trays and pots. These are heavy duty and don’t crumple when you pop your plants out! Definitely worth the investment in my opinion.
Enjoy all the wonderful uses for Lemon Balm!!
Please remember that I am not a medical doctor and none of the information I present should be taken as medical advice. I cannot diagnose conditions or prescribe treatments for illnesses. If you have any questions whether or not herbs and essential oils are safe for you and your family, please speak with your medical professional. Essential oils and/or herbs are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Instead, they are intended to support wellness and an overall healthy lifestyle. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have any other health concerns, please consult your physician. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.