Product Overview
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a lemon-scented herb that comes from the same family as mint. The herb is native to Europe, North Africa, and West Asia, but it’s grown around the world. Lemon balm leaves are used fresh or dried to season and flavor foods such as salads, soups, sauces, and stuffings and as a flavoring in candies, liqueurs, wine, and fruit drinks. It is common in herbal teas and has long been used as an herbal remedy for a variety of ailments and as a digestive aid and sleep aid. The essential oil is popular in aromatherapy and is used as a scent in perfumery and cosmetics.
Lemon Balm Benefits:
1. Lowers triglycerides–When used aromatically (that means you breathe it in) Melissa essential oil (which is lemon balm) has been shown to lower triglycerides which could impact a variety of other health conditions.
2. Treats heart palpitations–lemon balm can help reduce episodes of palpitations in some people.
3. Natural antibacterial–With its ability to fight a spectrum of bacteria inside the body, lemon balm has shown particular effectiveness against candida–a type of yeast that can cause brain fog, digestive issues, exhaustion and more.
4. Treats diabetes–Primarily for type 2 diabetes, studies have shown that lemon balm extract or oil is beneficial in the reduction of blood sugar levels.
5. Calms anxiety–Despite some studies from outside sources that conflict with this statement, many people say that lemon balm benefits their battle with anxiety.
6. Treats insomnia–Lemon balm is said to help calm and offers a mild sedating effect that promotes sleep.
7. Improves cognitive function and focus–A study of young adults who took lemon balm internally found an improvement in mood and the ability to focus.
8. Helps manage ADHD in children–Perhaps thanks to its calming effect, lemon balm reduces hyperactivity and impulsiveness and improves focus for some school children.
9. Fights the herpes virus–Even though there’s no way to ever get the herpes virus out of your body, you can focus on preventing outbreaks and that means keeping the virus under control. For cold sore sufferers, lemon balm reduced outbreaks, duration and pain/itching. Plus there’s no viral resistance to the herb over time so it can be used repeatedly.
10. Battles Inflammation--Chronic inflammation can support a variety of diseases and trigger pain in the body. Lemon balm has been shown to reduce inflammation throughout the body.
11. Manages overactive thyroid–Known as Grave’s Disease, lemon balm stops certain substances that trigger the thyroid from binding to receptor cells and helps slow down an overactive thyroid.
12. Soothes constipation– lemon balm, peppermint and angelica root may be helpful treatments for constipation.
13. Reduces PMS symptoms–When taken in a capsule form, lemon balm reduced those pesky mood swings, weight gain and bloating in high school age women.
Brewing Guide:
1. Add the leaves to a tea strainer or tea ball and place in a standard-sized teacup.
2. Bring water to a boil in a kettle or a large pot on the stove.
3. Pour the hot water into the teacup and allow the lemon balm leaves to steep for 5 to 10 minutes.
4. Remove the tea strainer and sweeten it with honey, sugar, or agave if desired.
