Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a perennial herbaceous plant in the Melissa and native to south-central Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, Iran, and Central Asia, but now naturalised elsewhere.
What’s the difference between mint and lemon balm?
Mint has a wider range of flower and stem colors—from light green to purple—because it has more varieties. In terms of taste, mint has a menthol flavor while lemon balm has an additional lemony taste. For benefits, lemon balm is considered a “herb cure-all”; whereas mint is more involved in dental applications.
What family is lemon balm in?
lemon balm, (Melissa officinalis), also called balm gentle, aromatic herb of the mint family (Lamiaceae), grown for its lemon-scented fragrant leaves. Lemon balm is native to the Mediterranean region and Central Asia and has naturalized in parts of North America and elsewhere.
What is another name for lemon balm?
Lemon balm is available under the following different brand and other names: balm, bee balm, cure-all, dropsy plant, honey plant, Melissa, Melissa folium, Melissa officinalis, sweet balm, and sweet Mary.
Is lemon mint a mint?
Lemon mint, or Monarda citriodora, is an annual plant that is native to both the midwestern and southern areas of the United States. It is also referred to as purple horsemint or lemon bee balm, and, not surprisingly, it belongs to the mint family.
Is lemon balm and catnip the same?
Catnip and lemon balm are underutilized herbs that at a first glance might look similar. However, despite resembling each other, lemon balm and catnip are used for quite different purposes. Catnip and lemon balm have different leaf colors, shapes, and taste. Lemon balm has a strong lemony taste while catnip lacks it.
Does lemon balm affect hormones?
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.
How does lemon balm affect the thyroid?
Test tube studies have found that lemon balm blocks attachment of antibodies to the thyroid cells that cause Grave’s disease (hyperthyroidism). The brain’s signal to the thyroid (thyroid-stimulating hormone or TSH) is also blocked from further stimulating the excessively active thyroid gland in this disease.
Can you drink lemon balm tea everyday?
While more studies are needed to determine how lemon balm tea may help individuals, it does appear that the tea is safe for most people to consume. A person should consult their doctor if they have an underlying condition, such as a thyroid issue, before regularly consuming lemon balm tea.
Does lemon balm lower blood pressure?
In this study in people with essential hypertension, supplementation with lemon balm extract led to a reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. This Study Summary was published on January 4, 2022.
Can you eat lemon balm raw?
You can certainly enjoy lemon balm fresh on salads, or in your favorite recipes, too. Be brave! Experiment with its bright flavor.
Is lemon balm good for your heart?
Lemon balm (melissa officinalis) is a perennial herb that’s grown all over the world. People have used this plant for centuries as an herbal treatment and natural medicine to treat various ailments. Scientific research has shown it can be effective in protecting the heart and liver from common diseases.
Can you eat lemon mint?
Lemon mint has (surprise, surprise) a refreshing minty-lemony flavor. Use it to replace any other mint with garnishes and seasonings, especially when you need a hint of citrus. Use crushed lemon mint in curries, Greek dishes, and lamb roasts, or as flavorings for jams, jellies, and canned fruit recipes.
What is lemon mint called?
lemon beebalm
Monarda citriodora is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae, that is native to the southern United States and northern Mexico. Common names include lemon beebalm, lemon mint (this may also apply to Eau de Cologne mint or Melissa officinalis) and purple horsemint.
Is lemon balm same as lemongrass?
Lemon balm has a lighter flavor than lemon grass, but it gives off a very zesty scent that makes it perfect for aromatic teas. It won’t alter the flavor of your tea as much, but it will add just the slightest lemony tang that gives you the hint of acid you want.
Why do cats love lemon balm?
3. Lemon balm (Melissa officianlis) This herb offers similar activities in the gut, and will induce a subtle calming effect. Science suggests lemon balm may also help slow an overactive thyroid — a problem suffered by many cats.
Is lemon balm toxic to dogs?
Lemon balm, known scientifically as Melissa officinalis, is a non-toxic herb that can be used on dogs, cats, and even horses. As a supplement for your dog, lemon balm has many benefits that may help with several different conditions.
Are cats attracted to lemon balm?
Curry Herb and Lemon Balm Plants
Helichrysum Italicum (aka the Curry herb plant) and Lemon Balm plant are strongly disliked by most cats and are often purchased together by gardeners in the know to be planted in their borders.
Is lemon balm good for your liver?
Lemon balm and its major constituent, rosmarinic acid (RA), effectively improve the liver injury and obesity; however, their therapeutic effects on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are unknown.
Can lemon balm cause depression?
Based on meta-analysis results, lemon balm significantly improved mean anxiety and depression scores compared with the placebo (SMD: -0.98; 95% CI: -1.63 to -0.33; p = 0.003), (SMD: -0.47; 95% CI: -0.73 to -0.21; p = 0.0005) respectively, without serious side effects.
Is lemon balm anti-inflammatory?
The use of herbs to relieve pain has a long history in the world of medicine. The fact that the essential oil of lemon balm has anti-inflammatory properties supports the traditional use of this herb in the treatment of numerous diseases associated with inflammation or pain (Bounihi et al., 2013).