In the 17th century, lemon balm was one of the plants grown in gardens monasteries. The Carmelites have also made a hydroalcoholic extract called Carmelite water or lemon balm water, which is one of the oldest pharmaceutical specialties still in use. This is to say if this plant has powers that defy time. Discover 5 recipes to allay fears and worries with Pascale Gélis-Imbert, pharmacist.
Lemon balm tea to relieve anxiety
The lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) has a sedative and calming action. It is very interesting on anxious and spasmodic grounds. Its effectiveness on smooth muscles (whose contractions are involuntary) makes it ideal for anxious and spasmodic areas. The recipe pto reduce cramps or heartburn caused by worrying:
Place 20 g of fresh lemon balm leaves and 20 g of flowering marjoram tops in 1 liter of simmering water. Turn off the heat, cover, let infuse for 10 minutes and filter.
How to use it ?
Drink the infusion during the day, especially a large cup 1 hour before bedtime, for 3 weeks.
Lemon balm tea to promote sleep
By releasing muscle tension, lemon balm helps to falling asleep. In 1992, a clinical study showed that associated with valerian, it would be as effective as a synthetic sleeping pill. The recipe for when anxiety prevents sleep:
Put 30 g of fresh lemon balm leaves, 20 g of chamomile flowers and 20 g of poppy petals in 1 liter of simmering water. Turn off the heat, cover, let steep for 10 minutes and strain.
How to use it ?
Drink the infusion during the day, especially a large cup 1 hour before bedtime, for 3 weeks.
Herbal tea to relieve stress
The recipe when fears and anxieties cause heart palpitations :
Put 20 g of fresh lemon balm leaves and 20 g of flowering hawthorn tops in 1 liter of simmering water. Turn off the heat, cover, let steep for 10 minutes and strain before drinking.
How to use it ?
Drink the infusion during the day, especially a large cup 1 hour before bedtime, for 3 weeks.
Lemon balm tea to detoxify
The lemon balm would protect against a possible heavy metal poisoning. The recipe to detoxify:
Place 50 g of fresh lemon balm leaves in 1 liter of simmering water. Turn off the heat, cover, let infuse for 10 minutes then strain. Add a big pinch of chlorella (green algae) and mix.
How to use it ?
Drink during the day, for 3 weeks. To be renewed every 6 months.
Lemon balm poultice to treat cold sores
If the sore is due to a virus, stress is one of the triggering factors. The recipe for treating a cold sore:
Mix a dab of cream containing 1% of a lyophilized extract of lemon balm, 1 drop of ravintsara essential oil and 1 drop of tea tree essential oil.
How to use it ?
Apply to the lip as soon as symptoms appear (tingling, etc.), 4 times a day, for 4 or 5 days.
