Lemon Balm

Lemon balm, also known as Melissa, Honey plant, and Bee balm is a bushy perennial with pretty scalloped leaves and has a refreshing soft lemon scent.

It's best when the tiny white flowers begin opening in the late summer.

TARGET AILMENTS

Take internally for:

* inducing the expulsion of gas

* relieves spasms in the digestive tract.

* heart and circulatory system

* lowering blood pressure

* eases nausea and colic

* cold, influenza, and fever

* mumps

* headaches

* acne and eczema

* bee stings

* anxiety, depression, and heart flutters

PREPARATIONS

This herb is available as a fluid extract, oil form and dried herbs.

Preparation and Dosage

Infusion:

Pour a cup of boiling water onto 2 to 3 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb or 4 to 6 fresh leaves to infuse for 10 to 15 minutes, well covered until drunk.

A cup of this tea should be taken in the morning and the evening, or when needed.

Tincture:

Take 2 to 6 ml of the tincture 3 times a day.

Combinations:

In digestive problems it may be combined with Hops, Chamomile or Meadowsweet. For stress and tension it can be combined with Lavender and Lime Blossom.

Part Used: Dried aerial parts or in season fresh aerial parts.

Collection:

The leaves can be harvested two to three times a year between early Summer and early Fall. The plant's shoots and leaves are gathered by cutting off the young shoots when they are approximately 12 inches long. The shoots and leaves should be dries in the shade at a temperature not above 95*F.

Constituents:

This herb is rich in essential oil containing citral, citronellal, geranial and linalol; bitter principles flavones, resin.

Actions:

Anti-spasmodic, anti-depressive, diaphoretic, hypotensive, aromatic, tonic

CAUTION Use Balm oil in low dilutions.