Lemon-Balm

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a perennial herbaceous plant in the mint family (Lamiaceae) and native to south-central Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, Iran, and Central Asia, but now naturalised elsewhere.

It grows to a maximum height of 1 m (3 ft 3 in). The leaves have a mild lemon scent. During summer, small white flowers full of nectar appear. It is not to be confused with bee balm (genus Monarda), although the white flowers attract bees, hence the genus Melissa (Greek for "honey bee").

Native to the Mediterranean region of Europe and Asia, lemon balm is a culinary and medicinal herb known for its distinct lemon scent and ease of growth. Lemon balm extract are used most commonly in desserts like lemon tea cookies and lemon poppyseed loaf, lemon balm leaves are a great addition to fruit or vegetable salads. Lemon balm is used in a quick, lemony dressing made with olive oil and vinegar. Freshly choppy lemon balm is used to garnish seafood dishes. Lemon balm can also act as a substitute for lemon peel in dishes like sauces and soups. Also, lemon balm can be used as tea.

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is considered a calming herb. It was used as far back as the Middle Ages to reduce stress and anxiety, promote sleep, improve appetite, and ease pain and discomfort from indigestion (including gas and bloating, as well as colic).

Medicinal use

• Lemon balm soothes symptoms of stress, help you to relax, and boost your mood.
• Lemon balm may also be used to help reduce symptoms of anxiety, such as nervousness and excitability.
• It may boost cognitive function.
• It can help ease insomnia and other sleep disorders.
• Lemon balm can be applied topically at the first sign of a cold sore.
• If you experience frequent abdominal pain and discomfort, lemon balm may have a positive effect on your digestion.
• Lemon balm can help treat nausea.
• Lemon balm can be used to relieve menstrual cramps and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
• Lemon balm may also be useful in treating headaches, especially if they’re happening as a result of stress.
• It may help lessen toothache pain.

Precautions

• When applied to the skin: Lemon balm is possibly safe for most adults. It may cause skin irritation.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if lemon balm is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
• Children: Lemon balm is possibly safe when taken by mouth by children for about one month.
• Surgery: Lemon balm might cause too much drowsiness if combined with medications used during and after surgery. Stop using lemon balm at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
• Thyroid disease: Lemon balm may change thyroid function, reduce thyroid hormone levels, and interfere with thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Avoid lemon balm if you have thyroid disease.

Interactions

• Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with LEMON BALM. Lemon balm might cause sleep iness and slowed breathing. Some medications, called sedatives, can also cause sleep iness and slowed breathing. Taking lemon balm with sedative medications might cause breathing problems and/or too much sleep iness.
• Thyroid hormone interacts with LEMON BALM. Taking lemon balm seems to decrease how well thyroid hormone works in the body. Taking lemon balm with thyroid hormone might decrease the effects of the thyroid hormone.