Lemon balm: properties and benefits of the plant against anxiety and stress
Like many other medicinal herbs, such as mallow and valerian, Melissa Officinalis is a perennial herbaceous plant that stands out for its beneficial properties. Native to southern and central Europe, lemon balm belongs to the Labiate family and is also known as "limoncella", because its green leaves give off a very pleasant lemon scent. This aromatic herb is used in various ways both to alleviate or treat stress-related or physical health problems as well as for various beauty treatments.
Already from its name, the extraordinary sedative and calming properties of this plant can be deduced. In fact, the term lemon balm derives from the Greek apple trees which means honey. This is because it was famous among Greeks and Latins for its perfume that attracts insects of all kinds and because it has always been able to soothe the most critical moments in everyone's life with its sweetness.
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The properties and health benefits of lemon balm
The lemon balm plant offers natural remedies for various ailments thanks to its properties. Normally to exploit its benefits its leaves are used, treated differently to obtain a famous herbal tea or the essential oil or mother tincture.
- The first for its calming and sedative properties against anxiety
Certainly, the best known use of lemon balm is for the alleviation of anxiety and stress. In fact, the active ingredients of this aromatic and medicinal herb act on the autonomic nervous system, that is, the one that also regulates the heart rate.By working on this nervous system, lemon balm is ideal for relieving tension and sadness, also helping in case of headaches. It is also an excellent ally to fight insomnia and to restore the correct sleep cycle, thanks to the effects of citronellal and geraniol, or essential oils with calming properties.
- Promotes the well-being of the gastrointestinal system
Very often the effects of anxiety are felt not only mentally, but also on the physical one. Not infrequently there are situations of discomfort of the gastrointestinal system, with pathologies such as colitis, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Whatever the cause of all this, lemon balm can relieve spasms with its antispasmodic properties. For this reason, it is also perfect in the treatment of menstrual pain.
- Counteracts coughs
The sedative properties of lemon balm also come in handy for coughs and other flu symptoms. In fact, combined with the anti-inflammatory ones, these properties make this plant capable of calming coughs if taken in the form of mother tincture. As an infusion or herbal tea it can be effective in treating fever because it manages to lower it by counteracting toxins thanks to caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid.
- It is an "ally of memory
Despite being famous for being the plant that brings back to calm and tranquility, recently it has been noticed how lemon balm interacts in a positive way with memory. This is because its metabolites are able to increase cognitive abilities and improve memory ones. Therefore, it is used in situations of cognitive deficits due to drug abuse and trauma where improvements have been seen from the point of view of attention, concentration and, in general, primary and secondary memory.
- It has important antiviral properties
Finally, among its many benefits, there would also be antiviral ones. Studies have shown that the extract of fresh lemon balm leaves has antiviral properties, thanks to the presence of polyphenolic acids and polysaccharides. These active ingredients are particularly useful against herpes.
Its cosmetic benefits
In addition to all the properties just seen useful for our health, lemon balm is also excellent in the cosmetic field. All this is explained by its antioxidant components which not only help the organism from the inside with the action against free radicals, but also from the outside, especially as regards the skin.
It has been noted that this herbaceous plant is an excellent anti-aging because it can reduce wrinkles and counteract skin aging. Furthermore, it is a very effective natural remedy in the treatment of sensitive skin, even those reddened by acne. In fact, thanks to rosmarinic acid and its disinfectant properties, lemon balm soothes pain, relieves burning and helps wound healing. For its use in the field of beauty and skin care, its essential oil is preferred.
How to use lemon balm
To take advantage of the beneficial properties of Melissa Officinalis, it is good to know that there are several ways to take it, both for internal and external use. To choose whether to prefer to consume a herbal tea based on this plant or a mixture with the mother tincture, it is advisable to always make sure for which treatment we need its benefits.
Recipe for lemon balm herbal tea
Lemon balm tea is well known for its beneficial effects. First of all, it can be a valuable aid to counteract nervous hunger and appease it. Then, it is ideal for calming abdominal pain, anxiety and stress and fighting insomnia. Especially for this latter purpose, it is best to drink it in the evening before going to bed.
Ingrediants:
- 1 tablespoon of lemon balm leaves
- 1 cup of boiling water
To prepare this herbal tea, simply leave the lemon balm leaves to infuse in boiling water. Once filtered, you can drink the infusion after allowing it to cool or cool. During the infusion it is possible to add a little lemon or orange peel for a more fruity taste or to integrate the leaves of other plants or medicinal herbs such as passionflower or valerian to the lemon balm to increase the natural remedies.
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Recipe for the decoction
The preparation of the lemon balm decoction is quite similar to that of the herbal tea. It is mainly consumed to alleviate menstrual pain, colitis, abdominal swelling, headaches and always anxiety and stress. It is advisable not to exceed two or three cups of decoction a day and to drink it during moments of greatest pain and in the evening before going to sleep.
Ingrediants:
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh lemon balm leaves
- 1 cup of boiling water
After boiling the water, leave the leaves to infuse for 5 minutes, covering the cup. Filter the decoction and wait for it to cool before drinking.
Mother tincture and essential oil of lemon balm
Finally, here are two more ways to take lemon balm, one for internal use and the other for external use.
- Mother tincture: the mother tincture of this plant is used to treat various ailments. For example, it is particularly effective in the case of abdominal cramps, menstrual pain, headache, cough and fever. In addition, it promotes digestion and helps to combat states of tension, calming in a short time. You can take 20 drops of mother tincture three times a day after meals, diluted in a little water. Instead, to take advantage of its relaxing and sedative effect, it is to be drunk only before bed with a dose of 30 or 40 drops.
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- Essential oil: the essential oil of lemon balm is obtained from its leaves of which it retains the unmistakable scent. It is perfect for skin care due to its anti-inflammatory and purifying action, especially for acne. In addition, it fights herpes, soothes in case of itching or burning and promotes wound healing. It can be added to creams or you can add drops to a blend of olive or almond oil.
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Contraindications and side effects
If taken in the right quantities, lemon balm has no particular side effects. It is absolutely forbidden for those suffering from thyroid problems, especially hypothyroidism, because there could be cases of interference with the drugs used to treat this problem. In addition, patients with glaucoma should avoid it because it can raise eye pressure.
Always pay attention to the doses with which lemon balm is consumed. In fact, if you overdo it, it is possible that it will lead to the opposite effects. This means that instead of calming and relaxing it could be an exciting one, with increased anxiety and irritability.
For more information on lemon balm, consult the Humanitas website.
