Melissa/Lemon Balm is a perennial herb. Melissa comes from the Greek word "Honeybee". The leaves of lemon balm have a gentle lemon scent with a hint of mint. Ancient Greeks and Romans drank wine infused with lemon balm for fevers and used the crushed leaves to help heal wounds and bites.
Common Name: Lemon Balm
Scientific Name: Melissa officinalis
Botanical Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae)
Parts Used: Aerial Parts
Properties: Calming, Uplifting
Aroma: Grassy, lemon, minty scent
Uses
Emotional care - Melissa/Lemon Balm helps us find inner contentment and encourages strength. Melissa oil is often used during bereavement, and it can help release emotional blocks and heal the wounds caused the death of a loved one. Diffuse Melissa/Lemon Balm essential oil to relieve tension, anxiety.
Digestion - Lemon balm gently relaxes the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract. It helps reduce digestive spasms in colic, nausea, and indigestion.
Relieves migraine and combats fever - make a tea using Melissa/Lemon Balm leaves to help relieve migrate and reduce fever.
Improve sleep quality - Combine lemon balm and valerian to reduce restlessness and improve sleep.
Use for senior care - Melissa/Lemon Balm can help reduce high blood pressure and cal palpitations and rapid breathing. Recent studies indicate that it may also improve secondary memory and the ability to learn, store and retrieve information. Use lemon balm essential oil topically in seniors can produce a calm effect with dementia.
Use for menstural problems - calms and regulates the menstural cycle, helps to ease menstrual cramps. Put drops of Melissa/Lemon Balm on a warm compress and place it over your stomach for some relief.
Wound care - Crush Melissa/Lemon Balm leaves to cover wounds and insect bites
References:
Battaglia S. (2021) The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy, Volume III - Psyche & Subtle 3rd Edition. Australia: Black Pepper Creativity Pty Ltd.
Shealy, C. M.D., Ph.D. (2017) The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Healing Remedies. London: HaperCollinsPublishers.
Johnson, R., Foster, S., Low Dog, T. M.D., Kiefer, D., M.D. (2010) Guide to Medicinal Herbs. Washington D.C: The National Geographic Society