Varieties. Common varieties include “Aurea” (leaves are light green with blotches of gold) and “All Gold” (completely golden leaves). There are other species of lemon balm like plants from the Mediterranean and Asian regions, but only Melissa officinalis L. is cultivated.
Is all lemon balm edible?
The whole plant is edible, though its the tender leaves you are after. Lemon balm has a long history of a wide array herbal medicine uses, in particular for soothing, calming and raising the spirit – just one smell of the crushed leaves does all of these for me.
Is lemon balm and lemon bee balm the same?
BEE BALM and Lemon balm are two distinct herbs, alike in many ways. Both belong to Labiatae, the mint family. Both herbs are hardy perennials, easy to grow, attract bees, yet repel pests.
Is Melissa officinalis the same as lemon balm?
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), a member of the mint family, is considered a calming herb. It was used as far back as the Middle Ages to reduce stress and anxiety, promote sleep, improve appetite, and ease pain and discomfort from indigestion (including gas and bloating, as well as colic).
Should you cut back lemon balm?
Keep plants well watered during dry spells in summer, and cut back after flowering to encourage a fresh flush of leaves. Lemon balm will self-seed readily, so if you don’t want more plants, remember to remove the faded flowers before they set seed.
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.
Can you eat fresh lemon balm leaves?
As a general rule of thumb, treat lemon balm as you would any other fresh herb. It works especially well in place of mint, offering bright, fragrant notes. Add whole lemon balm leaves to green salads, or chiffonade the leaves and scatter them over a fruit salad for added zesty flavor.
Is lemon balm invasive?
Lemon balm is part of the mint family, and spreads just like mint and become very invasive.
Is lemon balm a perennial or annual?
herbaceous perennial
What Is Lemon Balm? Colloquially known by many names such as Melissa, sweet balm, honey plant, balm mint, garden balm, English balm, and heart’s delight, lemon balm is an herbaceous perennial member of the mint family.
Is Lemon Bee Balm invasive?
If you’re asking whether bee balm can be aggressive, then the answer is yes – especially in its ideal growing environment with moist soil in a full sun to part shade location. However, it is not technically deemed invasive everywhere.
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.
Does lemon balm deter mosquitoes?
Lemon Balm
The lemon scent, which repels the bugs, is powerful. It rubs off very well onto the skin. Lemon balm repels mosquitoes and gnats.
Why does lemon balm make you sleepy?
Lemon balm contains chemicals that seem to have a sedative and calming effect. It might also reduce the growth of some viruses and bacteria.
Does lemon balm multiply?
Just add a single plant to your garden, and it’ll come back (and possibly multiply) year after year. Lemon balm can be used as an insect repellent, to make your own herbal tea, and to attract bees. It really doesn’t take much effort to be successful with this lovely-smelling plant.
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.
Can lemon balm grow in pots?
Yes, lemon balm is one of the easiest herbs to grow in a container. It will flourish in a pot with rich, well-drained potting mix. Pots must be watered often, daily in the heat of summer.
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).
What are the side effects of drinking lemon balm tea?
Lemon balm has the potential to cause the following side effects:
- headache.
- painful urination.
- increased body temperature.
- nausea.
- vomiting.
- stomach pain.
- dizziness.
- wheezing.
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.
Should you let lemon balm flower?
Removing the flowers of the plant as soon as they appear will make your lemon balm far less invasive.
Can I smoke lemon balm?
If you were just looking to know if lemon balm is smokable, the simple answer is yes, but if you were looking at a therapeutic herb then you should know by now that no study suggests that lemon balm can provide any benefit to your body or mind when smoked.