Note: Like mint, lemon balm tends to be an aggressive grower that may take over in the garden. If this is a concern, plant lemon balm in containers to reign in rampant growth.
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.)
Does lemon balm spread?
Lemon balm does not spread by underground runners like mint. It will increase in size, though, making a bigger clump in the garden each season and sprouting from seeds that develop from inconspicuous flowers.
Is lemon balm a stimulant?
Lemon balm suggested uses include for abdominal distension, flatulence, Graves’ disease, herpes labialis (topical), insomnia, as an antispasmodic, appetite stimulant, and digestive aid. Lemon balm is possibly effective for the listed uses.
Is lemon balm toxic?
When taken by mouth: Lemon balm is likely safe when consumed in amounts found in foods. Lemon balm supplements are possibly safe when used at a dose of up to 500 mg daily for up to 6 months. Side effects are generally mild and might include increased appetite, nausea, dizziness, and wheezing.
Does lemon balm plant keep mosquitoes away?
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.
How do you control lemon balm?
The most effective way to keep lemon balm in bounds is to prevent the plant from going to seed. One way to accomplish this is to shear the plant two or three times every year so it doesn’t bloom. Don’t worry; cutting the plant back won’t hurt it.
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.
Will lemon balm choke out other plants?
It chokes out other weeds very well. I have found one thing that seems to be even more aggressive in its spread than lemon balm and that is those wild orangeread more.
Is lemon balm invasive in the garden?
Like Verbena, Lemon balm also has a reputation, this time for being invasive, and it’s often bracketed with mint on that score. However, it spreads by seed, not runner, so cut the flower heads off before they seed to reduce your weeding.
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.
Is lemon balm a drug?
[3,4] Lemon balm is “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) as a food flavoring by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. As a drug, it is generally well tolerated in adults with nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, and wheezing reported occasionally.
Does lemon balm cause withdrawal?
A case study involving one person with specific symptoms indicated that lemon balm has the potential to cause withdrawal-like symptoms. The authors indicated that the person showed clear withdrawal symptoms coinciding with no longer using lemon balm.
Does lemon balm deter cats?
If grown into tight bushes the Lemon balm too is irritating enough for cats to avoid going near it. Planting around your boundary will deter cats from entering your garden or if this isn’t practical, adding them to your beds and borders should stop them being used as litter boxes.
Do cats eat lemon balm?
– Lemon balm: Melissa officinalis is not only a cat favorite, but this herb also makes a wonderful tea and emits a lemon-like fragrance.
Does lemon balm work for anxiety?
2. It can help reduce anxiety. Lemon balm may also be used to help reduce symptoms of anxiety, such as nervousness and excitability. Research published in 2014 examined the mood and cognitive effects of foods containing lemon balm.
Does lemon balm repel spiders?
Lemon Balm
It has a strong smell, one you’ll enjoy, but two particular pests don’t like it: spiders and fruit flies. This can create an absence of not only spiders but one of their prey, removing an incentive for them being indoors anyways. It’s easy to grow.
Does lemon balm attract bees?
Lemon balm is a great plant to use as a border to a garden because not only will it emit its fragrant lemony odor when brushed, but it will attract bees into the garden.
Is citronella the same as lemon balm?
Lemon balm contains a compound called citronellal, which has an effect similar to the mosquito repellent citronella. The lemony scent of lemon balm is also one that mosquitoes don’t love, which makes it a perfect addition to your mosquito-repellent plant collection.
Is lemon balm a good companion plant?
Companion Plants for Lemon Balm
Companion plants include dill, basil, squash, broccoli, cabbage family, cauliflower, hollyhocks, melons, angelica, nasturtiums, squash, tomatoes. Its beautiful flowers attract beneficial pollinators, and the leaf’s strong aroma deter pests such as cabbage moths, mosquitoes, and gnats.
Is lemon balm a ground cover?
Lemon Balm grows beautifully throughout the garden as lovely ground cover and also grows very well in containers. It’s related to the Mint family, and has small mint-like green leaves. Lemon Balm is very easy to grow from cuttings and grows well in part shade/sunny positions.