Lemon Balm Plant - Health Benefits, Uses and Important Facts

Lemon balm, also known as Melissa officinalis, is a perennial herb that grows in bushes. In the summer, it blooms with creamy-white or pale purple flowers and has leaves that have a pleasant lemon scent. In the sun or slight shade, it grows quickly and easily. In addition to making a zingy herb tea, the leaves give salads, sauces, and fish dishes a lemony zest. Lemon balm is used by people to treat a variety of illnesses, including dementia, indigestion, sleeplessness, indigestion, stress, and cold sores.

What Materials Does It Consist Of?

The leaves of the plant are used to make lemon balm supplements. Terpenes, which are plant compounds, are found in essential oils extracted from lemon balm leaves and may be partially responsible for the herb's calming and antiviral properties. The tannins found in lemon balm may be the cause of many of the herb's antiviral properties. Eugenol, another component of lemon balm, soothes tissues, stops bacteria growth, and reduces muscle spasms.

Accessible forms:

Lemon Balm Plant can be purchased as tea, pills, extracts, tinctures, and oils. Additionally, lemon balm is used in aromatherapy and homoeopathic treatments (essential oil).

BENEFITS OF LEMON BALM PLANT:

Studies have revealed that the plant may be used to treat a wide range of conditions, including anxiety and menstruation problems. Some of them are listed below:

Anxiety Reduction:

Lemon balm extract has been found to help people feel better and pay attention, according to certain studies. In fact Terpenes, which are present in lemon balm can help calm agitation in persons with severe dementia by reactivating brain circuit. Lemon balm helps ease anxiousness and anxiety.

Treating Insomnia:

Lemon balm has been demonstrated to enhance sleep when coupled with medicines like valerian. Additionally, lemon balm tea can aid in relieving insomnia.

Reducing Digestive Issues:

Lemon balm contains chemicals that can treat digestive issues like bloating and discomfort.

Relief from Menstrual Pain:

Lemon balm, which contains the rosmarinic acid molecule, lessens the severity of menstruation symptoms like cramping and exhaustion.

Cold Sores Treatment:

Herpes simplex virus-related cold sores have been shown to improve with the use of lemon balm ointments (HSV). The cream has also been found to reduce the healing time of both genital and oral herpes.

Precautions:

Although lemon balm has various uses and is generally regarded as safe, ingesting it may have certain health hazards.

Thyroid Medication and Sedatives:

Always check with your doctor if you're on thyroid medicine or sedatives for insomnia. The plant may interfere with these medications.

HIV Medication:

Lemon balm may interact with HIV medications. Therefore it is always advisable to consult a doctor beforehand. 

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should also not take lemon balm.