Lemon Balm Benefits and Uses
July 21, 2022
What is lemon balm?
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) comes from the lemon balm plant, a perennial belonging to the mint family. It is native to parts of Europe and the Mediterranean and grows in clumps up to nearly 60 inches in height. Its leaves, which have a delicate lemony scent, have been used medicinally for at least 2000 years and it’s also been used for centuries as an aromatic and culinary ingredient.
In This Healthy Insight:
Lemon balm benefits
Lemon balm contains a compound known as rosmarinic acid that appears to have antioxidant and other healthful properties. While many preliminary studies and clinical research continue, over the years herbalists have prized lemon balm for a variety of issues including:
- Relaxation
- Gastrointestinal
- Concentration
- Stress
- Anxiety, restlessness
- Sleep
- Gas
- Heart support
- Focus
- Digestion
- Memory
- Cold sores, insect bites
- Mood
Lemon balm uses
Lemon balm can be found as a standalone product or with other herb combinations. During the course of its history, lemon balm’s been used to sweeten jelly, make perfume, flavor fish and poultry, or make soothing lotions to name just a few. Today it is most commonly found in the form of tea, essential oil, powdered, capsule or liquid extract (tincture).
After meals, add a few drops of a lemon balm liquid extract to a warm beverage to soothe digestion. Its calming effect also makes it ideal to take before bedtime.
If you don’t have Lemon balm in your herbal arsenal, you are missing out on one of nature’s most highly regarded remedies. Get started with this time-tested classic today!
