Lemon Balm Melissa Officinalis DIY Surprise

     There is nothing quite as refreshing to me as the aroma of citrus. So it isn't much of a surprise to find that I love lemon balm Melissa officinalis.

     This herb is a treat in any salad, adding a crisp bite of a mellow citrus flavor. Sometimes, while passing the herb, I'll snag myself a leaf of it to chew on. Chewing on lemon balm has various effects on the body which will be described in this post.

     Lemon balm is a well known in the practice of alternative medicine as a soothing herb. In the past, it was often used for the anxious and troubled. People looked to it to soothe colicky babies and for helping sleep maladies in the elderly and worried. Today, studies show that this may indeed be a soothing herb.

The Indian Journal of Pharmacology has an article of a study done on lemon balm. The study focused on the "psychoactive" effects of this herb. The results showed that it had antidepressant properties, stating that administering this herb "was effective at reducing behavioral indicators of anxiety". (Taiwo, et al., 2012) So it is possible to say that it could be useful in taking place of an anxiolytic in a depression or anxiety treatment regimen. Also, considering the effects of this herb, it may also be useful in treating insomnia.

Of course, it is always important to consult with a doctor prior to taking or starting an herbal regimen. You want to be sure that there are no possible drug interactions if you are taking any medication.

Lemon balm also has antiviral properties. The terpenes, tanines, and eugenol play a very important role in this antiviral effect.

• Tannins - They are polyphenic compounds found in plants (Plant Tannins). They are hydrosoluble, thus making a tea extracts them from the plant. By drinking tea, you are ingesting those tannins which reduces various risks of disease.
• Eugenol - The eugenol found in lemon balm is also found in clove. I know, cool right? The eugenol effects in the oils are used for numbing (analgesic), calming muscle spasms, anti-bacterial, etc. Many holistic protocols for a toothache call for clove oil for that very reason.

     So what can we use lemon balm for? Well, we know now that it may be helpful in treating mild cases of depression and anxiety. One teaspoon of lemon balm tincture twice a day for adults.

     Since it is antiviral and a small bit analgesic, it can be (and has been) used for cold sores and oral herpes. Make an infusion of the herb and apply four times a day to infected area with a cotton ball.

     To help calm anxiety or relieve insomnia, I suggest a pleasant cup of tea made from this herb. It isn't bitter, and the slight citrus as well as the heat of the tea will help just as much as the constituents in getting you rested.

     Now, I want to show you how to make an official lemon balm Melissa officinalis tincture!

     Tinctures are much stronger than a tea or decoction. They are even stronger than a glycerite. The alcohol extracts the constituents from the herb at a rate that it takes less for more. In this, I mean where you would drink a cup of tea,  you would take 30 drops of tincture instead.

1. To begin, take six tablespoon of fresh lemon balm and let it lie out (not in the sun) for about ten to twenty minutes, or just long enough to wilt a little.
   
2. Take the herb in your hands and tear the bunch in half only once. Place into a pint size jar.
3. Pour alcohol, preferably pure grain or vodka. It must be at least 100 proof.
4. Put the lid on the jar and place in a warm area but away from light, for two weeks. Or you can let it sit for six months in a cabinet.
5. Be sure to shake the jar at least twice a day, everyday, until it is ready.
6. Place into amber glass dropper bottles and you're done!

There are precautions to take when using this herb. Pregnant and breast feeding women should definitely not use lemon balm. Also, lemon balm may possibly interact with sedatives, thyroid medications, and HIV medications. Always consult your doctor prior to using. (Ehrlich)

As always, I hope you found this post interesting and helpful! I wish you good health to you and yours, and feel free to contact me with any questions and requests.

Citations:

​Ehrlich, S. D., NMD. (n.d.). Lemon balm. Retrieved May 18, 2017, from http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/lemon-balm

​Taiwo, A. E., Leite, F. B., Lucena, G. M., Barros, M., Silveira, D., Silva, M. V., & Ferreira, V. M. (2012). Anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) extract in rats: Influence of administration and gender. Retrieved May 18, 2017, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3326910/#!po=43.4211