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.
Where is lemon balm native to?
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.
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.
Where does lemon balm get its name?
The name comes from the Greek word mélissa or mélitta meaning bee itself derived from meli meaning honey. Officinalis is New Latin and means ‘in use pharmaceutically’. In antiquity, Lemon Balm was cultivated as a food for bees.
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.
Can you smoke lemon balm tea?
The other herbs you can smoke are: Lemon Balm, Wormwood Herb, Greater Celandine Herb, Hemp Buds, Stinging Nettle, Marshmallow Leaf, Licorice Root.
Can you 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 help you sleep?
It can help ease insomnia and other sleep disorders
Combining lemon balm with valerian may help relieve restlessness and sleep disorders such as insomnia. Researchers in one 2006 study found that children who took a combined dose experienced a 70 to 80 percent improvement in symptoms.
What is lemon balm good for?
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), a member of the mint family, is considered a calming herb. It was used as far back as the Middle Ages to reduce stress and anxiety, promote sleep, improve appetite, and ease pain and discomfort from indigestion (including gas and bloating, as well as colic).
Does lemon balm help with weight loss?
Does lemon balm work for weight loss? Because it has anti-inflammatory effects, can help you cope with stress, improves digestion and supports metabolic health, it may be useful for maintaining a healthy weight. It’s a not a magic bullet, but help with weight loss might be a potential secondary effect.
Does lemon balm lower 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.
Is lemon balm anti-inflammatory?
The use of herbs to relieve pain has a long history in the world of medicine. The fact that the essential oil of lemon balm has anti-inflammatory properties supports the traditional use of this herb in the treatment of numerous diseases associated with inflammation or pain (Bounihi et al., 2013).
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 the brain?
Taking lemon balm by mouth increases calmness, memory, and alertness in adults under mental stress. Taking lemon balm along with other ingredients might also reduce stress.
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 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.
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 repel ants?
Lemon Balm
This member of the mint family emits a clean lemon scent. Mosquitoes don’t like it. Neither do flies and ants.
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.