Mint and lemon balm are separate and distinct plants that come from the same plant family but a different genus. Mint generally refers to the genus of Mentha which contains around 20 different species of plants. This group of plants includes things like spearmint apple mint, pineapple mint, and chocolate mint.
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), a member of the mint family, is considered a calming herb.
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.
What is lemon balm in India?
Currently in India lemon balm is cultivated in Kashmir, Uttrakhand and some part of South India. There are two subspecies, Melissa officinalis subspecies Melissa officinalis, the common cultivated lemon balm; and Melissa officinalis sub species altissima, naturalized in New Zealand and known as bush balm.
Can I 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 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 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.
Can I eat lemon balm?
In addition to the fresh herb, you can also consume lemon balm in the form of an oil or supplement. Lemon balm oils may be cut with water and vegetable glycerin, which just makes it safe to consume orally or used directly on your skin.
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.
How do you identify lemon balm?
Recognize it
Lemon balm is part of the mint family and like all mints has square stems. It is best known for its fresh lemon scent. Crush the leaves between your thumb and forefinger, it’s unmistakably lemony. The leaves are oval and have a toothed edge.
What does lemon balm look like?
Like other mint family members, lemon balm has scalloped, oval- to heart-shaped leaves that grow opposite one another on square (four-sided) stems. Its leaves are bright green on top and whitish below.
Where is lemon balm found?
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 raise blood pressure?
Lemon balm may lower your blood pressure and therefore should be used with caution if you are taking medications with similar properties. It can also lower your blood sugar levels and people with diabetes should use lemon balm with care.
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.
Does lemon balm tea cause constipation?
It helps alleviate gas and bloating.
One small study found that participants who consumed sorbet containing lemon balm after a meal lessened their indigestion symptoms significantly, while other research suggests that lemon balm may be beneficial in alleviating constipation.
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.
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 help you lose weight?
Lemon Balm Tea for Weight Loss
With that unfortunate truth out of the way, we can discuss what Lemon Balm Tea benefits can achieve. One animal-based study found that an extract of the plant can suppress fat tissue growth in mice and kill fat 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.
Is lemon balm good for the brain?
Bolsters Memory – Lemon balm extract impacts on receptor binding properties, which in turn, have shown benefit for improved cognitive effects such as alertness and memory8.
Is lemon balm good for lungs?
The essential oil made from lemon balm is high in compounds called triterpenes, which are rapidly absorbed through the lungs and have a calming effect on the body through aroma therapy. Essential oil created from the leaves can also eaten and used as an antioxidant (Marangui et al., 2004).
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.