Is Lemon Balm Part Of The Mint Family?

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), a member of the mint family, is considered a calming herb.

Is lemon balm same as mint?

Lemon balm and lemon mint are different plants in the mint family. Both have a citrus scent, but they vary in their growth requirements and uses.

What family is lemon balm in?

lemon balm, (Melissa officinalis), also called balm gentle, aromatic herb of the mint family (Lamiaceae), grown for its lemon-scented fragrant leaves. Lemon balm is native to the Mediterranean region and Central Asia and has naturalized in parts of North America and elsewhere.

Is lemon balm in the lemon family?

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is an herb from the mint family. The leaves, which have a mild lemon aroma, are used to make medicine and flavor foods.

Does lemon balm interfere with thyroid medication?

Taking lemon balm with thyroid hormone might decrease the effectiveness of the thyroid hormone. Some medications used for thyroid hormone replacement include levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl, Levothroid), liothyronine (Cytomel), Armor Thyroid, and others.

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.

Can lemon balm be substituted for mint?

If your recipe calls for fresh lemon balm and you don’t have it then there here are some good substitutes: For each tablespoon needed substitute 1 to 2 teaspoons of freshly grated lemon zest. OR – 2 teaspoons fresh mint, chopped + 1 teaspoon fresh lemon basil, chopped.

What kind of plant is a lemon balm?

The lemon balm plant (Melissa officinalis) is actually a member of the mint family and is a perennial herb. It grows as a bushy, leafy herb with a pleasant lemon smell and small white flowers. If not carefully controlled, lemon balm can quickly become invasive in the garden.

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.

What are the health benefits of lemon balm?

Studies have shown that the herb is a potential treatment for many issues, from anxiety to menstrual symptoms. If you need to relieve stress, lemon balm can help lower anxiety and nervousness. Some research has shown that lemon balm extract can improve one’s mood and attention.

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.

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.

Can you eat raw lemon balm leaves?

How to Use Lemon Balm. 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.

What should you not take with lemon balm?

Lemon balm may potentially interact with the following medications: Sedatives and thyroid medications: Lemon balm may interact with sedatives and thyroid medications. If you are taking sedatives (for insomnia or anxiety) or medications to regulate your thyroid, ask your doctor before taking lemon balm.

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 increase TSH?

Lemon balm inhibits TSH receptor binding, which causes decreased production of T3 and T4 in the thyroid gland. It decreases circulating TSH levels² but increases levels of circulating T3 and T4.

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 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 tea help you sleep?

Historically, lemon balm has been used as an antiviral and antibacterial medicine to treat infections and viruses. It also shows potential in helping restless sleepers¹⁶ at night. Drinking a cup of lemon balm tea at night may reduce symptoms associated with insomnia¹⁷.

Is Lemon Mint a mint?

Lemon mint, or Monarda citriodora, is an annual plant that is native to both the midwestern and southern areas of the United States. It is also referred to as purple horsemint or lemon bee balm, and, not surprisingly, it belongs to the mint family.

Is lemon balm Lemongrass?

Lemon balm comes from the melissa officinalis plant, and looks nothing like lemon grass. The light green leaves are rounded, and the scalloped edges tend to be slightly crinkled. There are many more branches from lemon balm trees, and the foliage is very thick.