Lemon balm
Latin name
Melissa officinalis
Common names
Bee weed, women's well-being, lemon balm
Plant description
The lemon balm grows up to 70 cm high. Square stem, heavily branched, small leaves and inconspicuous white flowers. When the fresh leaves are rubbed between the fingers, a lemon-like odor.
Heyday: July to August.
Occurrence: Origin in the Mediterranean area, here also in gardens, for the production of medicines, lemon balm is also planted in cultures.
Plant parts used medicinally
The leaves of lemon balm, harvested before flowering and gently dried, are used for the manufacture of medicines. The essential oil is extracted from the whole plant with the help of steam distillation.
Ingredients
- Melissa essential oil
- Tannins and bitter substances
- Flavonoids
- Minerals
Medicinal effect and application
The lemon balm works reassuring and slightly antispasmodic. Priority to Nerve calming and S.sleep promotion used.
Also at nervous stomach discomfort and Flatulence Lemon balm is used.
Melissa is a component of many medicinal specialties, for example tea blends. The most famous product is probably the "Monastery Lady Melissa Spirit ".
preparation
1. Lemon balm tea to calm down and promote sleep in the case of difficulty falling asleep: 3 teaspoons of cut lemon balm leaves are included ¼ l of boiling water poured over, you let him Brew for 10 minutes, sweets with honey and drinks 3 cups a day.
2. Melissa bath (calming and balancing): Bring 50 g of lemon balm leaves 1 liter of water to the boil, let it steep for 10 minutes and strains. This extract of lemon balm is added to the full bath.
Combination with other medicinal plants
- valerian
- hop and
- Lemon balm
mixed in equal parts. make an excellent calming tea. Preparation as described above.
At Indigestion you can make the following tea mixture:
- Lemon balm leaves 20.0 g
- Milk thistle seeds 30.0 g
- Dandelion root 10.0 g
- Peppermint leaves 20.0 g
- Yarrow herb 20.0 g
Take 1 teaspoon of this mixture and pour one over it large cup of boiling water, let the whole thing stand for 10 minutes. Then strain and unsweetened with meals drink a cup.
Side effects
So far, no side effects are to be expected when consuming lemon balm.
