Lemon balm leaf is wild-collected on a commercial scale in parts of eastern Europe,7,8 southern Europe,9–11 and western Asia. The commercial supply of cultivated lemon balm comes mainly from eastern Europe,4,13,14 southern Europe,4,10,15–17 western Europe,4,18–20 northern Africa,21 North America,4 and South America.
Where did lemon balm come from?
Lemon balm is native to the Mediterranean region and Central Asia and has naturalized in parts of North America and elsewhere. It is widely cultivated in temperate climates as a culinary and medicinal herb and as a garden ornamental.
Is lemon balm native to North America?
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a perennial herbaceous plant in the mint family Lamiaceae, and native to south-central Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, Iran, and Central Asia, but now naturalized in the Americas and elsewhere.
How is lemon balm most commonly used?
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 native to Canada?
General Information. Lemon balm is a perennial, lemon-scented herb with pointed, heart-shaped or oval leaves and small white or yellow flowers. It is from the same family as mint and sage. It is native to the Mediterranean region and western Asia but is now grown in Europe, Asia, and North America.
Can you drink lemon balm tea everyday?
Lemon balm tea is generally safe for consumption when consumed in small to moderate quantities. As with many teas and herbal remedies, lemon balm tea may cause adverse reactions in certain individuals.
Is lemon balm addictive?
Although Melissa officinalis is preferred by many people as an alternative to pharmaceutical drugs, it should be noted and explained to patients that the herb may have a dependency risk and can lead to withdrawal symptoms when consumption is abruptly discontinued.
Does lemon balm repel 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.
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.
Is lemon balm poisonous?
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.
What happens if you smoke lemon balm?
In the research, they gave the mixture to two groups, and reports showed that participants noticed favorable effects on different aspects of their moods and lower anxiety levels. Likewise, herbal smoking blends containing lemon balm may be able to offer similar effects for those dealing with anxiety.
Does lemon balm make you sleepy?
Might fight anxiety and improve mood, concentration and sleep. Traditionally, lemon balm herbal preparations have been used to treat anxiety and insomnia. Its mild sedative effect is a well-known feature.
Is lemon balm good for depression?
Current evidence suggests that lemon balm may be effective in improving anxiety and depressive symptoms, particularly in the acute setting.
Is lemon balm native to UK?
All about Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is not a native plant but it’s often found growing in the wild as a garden escapee because it spreads rapidly and colonises vast areas in no time.
Is lemon balm catnip?
They are easy to tell apart by their aroma, differences in pubescence, leaf shape, bloom arrangement, and their effect on most cats. Lemon balm has a lemony aroma, and prefers moister habitats whereas catnip is found in drier habitats.
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.
Does lemon balm affect hormones?
As quickly as by the first and second month of lemon balm use, the intensity of the PMS symptoms were decreased by one third, while by the third month they were decreased by two thirds. These results show that relief can be offered as quickly as within one menstrual cycle from the daily use of lemon balm.
Does lemon balm affect thyroid?
Thyroid disease: Don’t use lemon balm. There is a concern that lemon balm may change thyroid function, reduce thyroid hormone levels, and interfere with thyroid hormone-replacement therapy.
Is there caffeine in lemon balm?
CAFFEINE FREE: botanical name: Melissa officinalis, known as lemon balm or balm or balm mint leaves, are naturally caffeine free. Lemon balm is mint family herb that is known and popular for its lemon mint aroma.
Is lemon balm toxic to the liver?
It has been proved that high concentrations of flavonoides increase production of reactive oxygen species by autooxidation (28). These cases show that consumption of high doses of lemon balm hydroalcohoic extract in the short period causes toxicity effects on liver cells.
Is lemon balm good for your liver?
Lemon Balm and Its Constituent, Rosmarinic Acid, Alleviate Liver Damage in an Animal Model of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis. Nutrients.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.