Identification – 4/5 – Lemon balm is a member of the mint (mint) family, so easily identified by its square stems (twirl them round in your fingers to feel this), oppositely paired leaves, and flowers that hug the stem. As no members of the mint family are toxic, you are on safe ground here.
Is all lemon balm edible?
Lemon Balm can be used both in hot and iced teas and in combination with other herbs such as spearmint. The plant is also often used as a flavoring in ice cream and its also suitable for spicing up chicken and fish dishes. Early fresh leaves can be chopped and added to salads.
Is lemon balm wild?
In the mint family, lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a perennial herb that spreads rapidly and has become a fairly common “wild” plant.
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.
Can you chew lemon balm?
A leaf can be chewed to freshen the breath or crushed and placed on a bug bite to help ease the itch. Our favorite use is to turn it into a lip balm for cold sores!
Is lemon balm psychoactive?
These psychoactive properties, along with lemon balm’s safety profile over a wide dose range, may provide a unique pharmacological alternative for specific psychiatric disorders.
Are there different types of lemon balm?
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.
What plant looks like lemon balm?
Lemon verbena (Aloysia ciriodora or A. Triphylla) and lemon balm (melissa officinalis) often confuse new gardeners. Although the herbs are similar in fragrance and flavor, they differ in appearance and hardiness.
What is the difference between Melissa and lemon balm?
Lemon Balm has several common names including Sweet Balm and Melissa. These are all names for the same plant Melissa officinalis so don’t be confused by the different names. If you see Melissa Essential Oil or Lemon Balm Essential Oil they are the same name and should be the same oil!
Where does lemon balm grow wild?
The International Herb Association has designated lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) Herb of the Year 2007. This perennial in the mint family is native to mountainous areas of southern Europe and northern Africa but has naturalized in almost in every warm or temperate area around the globe.
Does lemon balm look like mint?
The texture of lemon balm and mint leaves are somehow similar. However, they differ in terms of the sharpness of their leaf edges. Lemon balm leaves have sharper edges compared to mint leaves. Both lemon balm and mint are green in terms of leaf color.
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.
Who should not drink lemon balm tea?
Current research suggests that individuals who take glaucoma or thyroid medications or use other types of sedatives should not take lemon balm. 1 It’s important to remember that lemon balm cannot replace any treatment plan prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Who should not drink lemon balm?
Stop using lemon balm at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery. Thyroid disease: Lemon balm may change thyroid function, reduce thyroid hormone levels, and interfere with thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Avoid lemon balm if you have thyroid disease.
What part of lemon balm is medicinal?
A poultice of the fresh leaf can help relieve pain caused by cramping and nervous headaches. Use lemon balm fresh in cooking as a substitute for lemon thyme, lemons or mint. Drink lemon balm tea 30 minutes before bed to help with insomnia. The tincture of the fresh herb in glycerine is an effective children’s medicine.
What does lemon balm do to the brain?
Lemon balm significantly reduces excitatory transmission in the brain by inhibiting an enzyme called GABA-T that breaks down GABA, thus increasing the amount of GABA available in the brain.
What does lemon balm attract?
When lemon balm flowers, it brings in bees and butterflies and other beneficial pollinators. (Check out other plants I recommend to attract pollinators here.)
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.
Is lemon balm antidepressant?
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.
Does lemon balm make you happy?
Lemon balm is said to soothe symptoms of stress, help you to relax, and boost your mood. A 2004 study found that taking lemon balm eased the negative mood effects of laboratory-induced psychological stress.
Did Native Americans use lemon balm?
NATIVE AMERICAN USES
The herb is used for salves; the leaves to make cold drinks or hot tea. It is used to aid women through menstruation when suffering from cramps, headaches and/or anxiety.