lemon balm plant

What is lemon balm plant used for?

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is an herb in the mint family. It is often used for culinary purposes to make teas, marinate chicken or fish, or flavor baked foods and jams. Lemon balm is also believed to treat a range of medical disorders affecting the digestive tract, nervous system, and liver.

Does lemon balm need full sun?

Best location: Plant lemon balm in full sun; it will tolerate shade. Soil preparation: Grow lemon balm in well-drained, sandy loam. However, lemon balm will grow in almost any soil but not very wet soil. It prefers a soil pH of 6.7 to 7.3.

Is lemon balm plant edible?

Lemon Balm Herbal Iced Tea

Lemon bam is an edible and medicinal herb in the mint family. You may not have heard of it, but you've probably seen it and may even have some growing in your own backyard.

Does lemon balm spread?

Lemon balm can be grown in full sun to partial shade in soils that are moist but well drained. It can be propagated by seeds, division or stem cuttings. ... While mint can spread rapidly by underground stems, lemon balm spreads by setting lots of seed and can, if allowed to go unchecked start to overtake the garden.

Does lemon balm make you sleepy?

Lemon balm might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Medications that cause sleepiness are called sedatives. Taking lemon balm along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness.

Can I put lemon balm in my water?

Make an herbal water:

This subtly flavored water is so refreshing on a hot summer day! To make: Fill a jar with fresh lemon balm leaves and a thinly sliced lemon. Pour in cold water until it reaches the top. Refrigerate for several hours.

Is Lemon balm poisonous to dogs?

Lemon balm, known scientifically as Melissa officinalis, is a non-toxic herb that can be used on dogs, cats, and even horses. As a supplement for your dog, lemon balm has many benefits that may help with several different conditions.

Does lemon balm like sun or shade?

Perhaps it is in too much sun. Many herbs do well in the sun, but lemon balm needs shade. Especially in areas in which the summer sun is hot, this plant grows best with some shade in the afternoon or in a spot where there are tall trees to lessen the intensity of the sun.

Does lemon balm die in winter?

Growing Lemon Balm Indoors

Overwintering Inside: The plant needs a rest period in the winter. It will die down in the autumn. The best way to overwinter Lemon Balm is to cut it right back to the ground and store in a cool room until the spring.

Is Lemon balm bad for thyroid?

Thyroid disease: Don't use lemon balm. There is a concern that lemon balm may change thyroid function, reduce thyroid hormone levels, and interfere with thyroid hormone-replacement therapy.

Is Lemon balm antiviral?

Lemon balm, with its antiviral properties, appears to speed the healing of cold sores and reduce symptoms when applied topically as a cream. Lemon balm has antiviral properties.

Can you eat fresh lemon balm leaves?

I especially like to toss a few fresh leaves into a salad or a bowl of mixed fresh fruit or use it in a vinaigrette for marinades and salads. It also makes great herb butter. ... It is also a common ingredient in herbal teas. A handful of fresh lemon balm and mint makes an excellent hot or iced tea, especially with honey.

Does lemon balm repel mosquitoes?

Lemon Balm contains high levels of a compound called citronellal, which gives it its lemony aroma and flavor that bugs find so unpleasant. ... The lemon scent, which repels the bugs, is powerful. It rubs off very well onto the skin. Lemon balm repels mosquitoes and gnats.

Can I plant lemon balm and mint together?

The mint family plants, which include peppermint, spearmint, catmint, flavored mints such as orange mint and lemon balm, are spreading plants. ... Don't mix different mints in the same box because they interbreed and will produce some new and probably not as deliciously fragrant varieties.

Does lemon balm attract bees?

Lemon balm is a great plant to use as a border to a garden because not only will it emit its fragrant lemony odor when brushed, but it will attract bees into the garden.

Is Lemon balm bad for the liver?

It has been proved that high concentrations of flavonoides increase production of reactive oxygen species by autooxidation (28). These cases show that consumption of high doses of lemon balm hydroalcohoic extract in the short period causes toxicity effects on liver cells.

Is Lemon balm anti inflammatory?

RA in lemon balm has demonstrated more active antioxidant activity compared to α-tocopherol [13]. Due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects [3], RA, as part of the chemical composition of lemon balm, is effective in relieving symptoms of atopic dermatitis.

What is the difference between lemon balm and mint?

While mint and lemon balm do come from the same family, they come from different branches of that family. ... Lemon balm's flavor is mildly lemony with a very subtle mint note, while mint's flavor is simply minty with no lemon note.

Does lemon balm really work for anxiety?

Preliminary research shows lemon balm can reduce some symptoms of anxiety, such as nervousness and excitability. Lemon balm is generally well-tolerated and considered safe for short-term use, but can cause nausea and abdominal pain.

How often should I water lemon balm?

Water deeply enough to saturate the roots, and then allow the top of the soil to dry slightly before watering again, as soggy soil may cause the plant to rot. Lemon balm in containers may require water every day, especially during hot, dry weather.

Is Lemon balm addictive?

Anxiety, the mood of fear, worry, and uneasiness can be severely disruptive to quality of life yet medications for the management of anxiety are often either ineffective, addictive, habit-forming or poorly tolerated. Lemon Balm has been shown to be safe, effective and well-tolerated for managing anxiety.