Lemon balm is a common plant, easy to grow and available at any garden center. It is a classic of the phyto that is used against anxiety, insomnia and overwork. The benefits of lemon balm do not stop there: it is also recognized as having antiviral and digestive properties.
Lemon balm is a herbaceous plant which, when rubbed on its leaves, emits an odor very close to lemon. It is wonderfully effective against stress and calms anxiety, anxiety, and nervous disorders. Used in herbal tea, it lowers blood pressure and improves the quality of sleep.
Its soothing action also contributes to well-being of the heart and digestive system. In general, lemon balm provides a feeling of relaxation and well-being to the whole being, the muscles, the nervous system …
The first benefits of lemon balm
From the family of lamiaceae, lemon balm is 40 to 80 cm high. Its leaves are oval and rough to the touch. They give off a slight lemon scent when crumpled. Its white or pink flowers are bell-shaped and give off a nectar that is popular with bees. And its brown fruit has dark brown, shiny seeds.
The many virtues of lemon balm come from its active ingredients: aldehydes and terpene alcohols (eugenol, geraniol, linalool…). Terpene alcohols have neurotonic, hepatostimulant and immunomodulating effects and the carophyllene it contains has anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties.
Other benefits of lemon balm
Lemon balm has other health benefits:
- She promotes digestion and relieves stomach and colon spasms.
- It is also recognized as being effective in treating viral infections such as cold sores and genital herpes.
- By its sedative action, it is beneficial against sleep disturbances and insomnia.
- It is also useful for blood circulation.
- In association with other antispasmodic plants, lemon balm is involved in the colic treatment in the baby.
- Excellent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, lemon balm helps treat heart ailments such as tachycardias.
How to use lemon balm?
To benefit from the benefits of lemon balm in herbal medicine, its leaves, stems and flowers are used. Lemon balm extracts are then used in various forms depending on the case: essential oils, stems, leaves, flowers, capsules, infusions and extracts.
- To treat nervous and digestive disorders, we opt for 1.5 to 4.5 g of dried aerial parts (leaves, flowers) of the plant, ie 1 to 3 times a day; or 2 to 4 ml of liquid extract 3 times a day; or 2 to 6 ml of mother tincture 3 times a day.
- For cases of restlessness, anxiety and insomnia, one can slowly switch fromlemon balm essential oil on the temples and arms. Another effective option is to dilute 10 drops of this essential oil in a soap that will be incorporated in a hot bath.
- In the treatment ofgenital herpes, one can use a cream, containing 1% of lyophilized aqueous extract of lemon balm 2 to 4 times a day or compresses based on infusion.
Contraindications and precautions for use
Lemon balm is not recommended for pregnant women, nursing mothers and children. No adverse effects or interactions with plants are known to date. However, an amplification of its sedative action is noted when it is associated with calming plants, sedatives or sedatives.
It is important to know that lemon balm can increase the effects of alcohol. Alcohol consumption is therefore avoided during a lemon balm-based treatment. In any case, you should always seek the advice of a doctor before starting treatment with lemon balm.
