Melissa (lemon balm): what is it for, properties and benefits
Melissa, which is also well known by the name of lemon balm, is a plant widely used for natural remedies. The most common way to consume this plant is in an infusion. It has a flavor close to lemon, so it has a pleasant and well-valued palate.
It is a plant that also has a beautiful appearance. Many leaves are gathered on a single branch and small white flowers sprout. But lemon balm has always been more than an ornamental plant, so today we are going to learn about its properties and benefits.
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What is lemon balm for? Its properties and benefits
The lemon balm plant is relatively easy to care for and grow. One of the advantages it provides us is that each part that compose it, from the root to the flower, offers properties and benefits to take care of health.
It is enough to prepare the lemon balm infusion and sweeten with a little honey. In addition to a pleasant and relaxing smell, drinking this tea will help the body receive the benefits of this medicinal plant used since ancient times.
1. Relaxing
One of the most recognized properties of lemon balm is as a relaxant. All medicinal plants, this is the one that has a high efficiency to relax the organism. This is due to the high amounts of rosmarinic acid and phenolic antioxidants.
These two compounds act directly on neurotransmitters that inhibit the functions of the nervous system. For this reason, when a person is in an altered state, lemon balm tea calms them down.
2. Analgesic
Lemon balm is used effectively as a pain reliever. It is an effective and natural way to relieve headaches, muscle and stomach pain. A cup of lemon balm or lemon balm infusion is enough to relieve discomfort from mild to severe pain.
Even when there are localized pain in the joints or muscles, it is recommended to soak a compress in lemon balm water. It is applied to the area that causes discomfort and works as a topical pain reliever.
3. Against insomnia
Lemon balm serves as an effective natural remedy for fight insomnia. Some people have trouble falling asleep due to stress and anxiety. An infusion of this medicinal plant will help calm anxiety and this in turn helps the person fall asleep more easily.
Its properties act directly on the nervous systemFor this reason, they achieve this calming effect. Due to this benefit, lemon balm is one of the most recommended medicinal plants for this use.
4. Improves digestion
When there are problems due to poor digestion, it is recommended to drink a cup of infusion lemon balm. The antispasmodic effects that this plant causes in the body cause almost immediate relief when there is some type of indigestion.
An over ingestion of food or ingesting something that does not sit well with the body usually causes a feeling of heaviness and, in some cases, stomach cramps. These will disappear before the powerful effect of the lemon balm plant.
5. Fight stress
As already mentioned, lemon balm intervenes in the central nervous system. This causes an immediate effect to calm the body when it is subjected to any type of stress.
If you are going through some type of exceptional situation that causes stress, or on the other hand, daily life keeps us in a high level of tension, it is then recommended to ingest a cup a day of lemon balm and sweeten it with honey to enjoy its effect relaxing.
6. Against bad breath
A little-known effect of lemon balm is that it fights bad breath. Due to the intensity of its natural essences and its aromas, as well as its flavor, this plant also It is used to hide bad breath caused by certain foods, by smoking or by some drinks.
To use lemon balm as a remedy against unpleasant breath, do not ingest an infusion of this plant. In this case, the recommendation is to directly chew a lemon balm tree leaf. Its flavor is pleasant and the refreshing effect will be immediate.
7. Insect repellent
Lemon balm is effective as an insect repellent. The odors and oils that the plant gives off repel insects, especially mosquitoes. In this way we can protect ourselves from bites.
It can be used both indoors and outdoors. In a more or less wide radius around the lemon balm plant, mosquitoes and other insects stay away because the aromas are irritating and unpleasant for them.
8. Flavoring
The lemon balm plant gives off a strong odor. For this reason, the plant itself or the leaves and flowers are used to fill the environment with a subtle perfume. It has a citric aroma but without being too acidic.
Because of this, the lemon balm plant has become a favorite to have around the house. In addition, as already mentioned, it is easy to care for and grows without too much difficulty. Being inside the home, it is filled with its pleasant aroma.
9. Auxiliary in menstrual discomfort
Faced with the typical discomfort of the menstrual cycle, an infusion of lemon balm is hand of saint. As already mentioned, this plant is an effective antispasmodic and calming agent. This combination is ideal to bring relief from the discomfort caused by the menstrual period.
Many women tend to have a cup of lemon balm tea sweetened with honey at the beginning of their cycle. If you have not tried it, do not hesitate to do it the next time you feel uncomfortable, because in addition to reducing inflammation and calming the pain, it will help you relax and forget about the discomfort.
Bibliographic references
Arsdall, A.V. (2002). Medieval Herbal Remedies: The Old English Herbarium and Anglo-Saxon Medicine. Psychology Press. pp. 70–71.
Villaescusa, L and Martín, T. (2007). Phytotherapy for insomnia, anxiety and nervousness. In: Castillo E, Martínez I. Phytotherapy Manual. Elsevier Masson, 2007. p. 167-185.