Lemon balm is a Mediterranean plant, highly branched, growing up to 80 cm in height. Its leaves are oval, slightly serrated, and when rubbed with your fingers, they smell like lemon. It is the leaves that are medicinal in lemon balm, and they are young, and the essential oil is obtained from the whole plant. Lemongrass is prepared as a tea, the leaves are used to make baths and compresses, because of the lemon scent it is used as a spice.
Better sleep and mood
In addition to having a refreshing effect, lemon balm is extremely healing, and is probably best known in traditional use as a remedy to calm and encourage a better mood. Its tea calms, relaxes the body, mind and soul, improves memory and concentration and is traditionally used as a remedy for insomnia, but also for depression, melancholy and anxiety. In the past, this plant was used to help soldiers relax and ward off fatigue and stress from fighting. The ingredients of lemon balm also affect the hormonal picture, so they have been shown to be effective in thyroid problems. It is believed to strengthen the heart, so it is used to prevent and treat heart problems and hypertension. Because it boosts immunity, it can be applied topically to treat cold sores. In addition, it serves to reduce high fever, to encourage sweating in fever, to relieve headaches and nausea, helps with ulcers and fungal infections.
Effective oil
Lemongrass essential oil has antiviral and antibacterial properties. Therefore, in folk medicine it is used as an effective aid in intestinal infections, but also to reduce tension in the abdomen, against bloating and cramps and to reduce gas in the intestines, to protect the gastric mucosa and the entire digestive tract. It is also used to heal wounds and scratches as it protects it from infections. Science has carefully studied the composition and effects of lemon balm essential oil and proved to be a useful natural treatment for women suffering from painful menstruation, reduces feelings of anxiety and dissatisfaction, and found that it has a very calming effect on perimenopausal women.
Recent research has shown that it has a good effect on concentration and memory, so it is especially recommended for people who are engaged in intensive intellectual work. A 2014 study followed the effects of lemon balm on improving cognitive function – participants solved memory, math and concentration tasks, and the results were better in participants who took lemon balm and in people with Alzheimer’s disease, even in already developed severe cognitive impairment. Lemongrass oil is also used in cosmetics. It is often used in balms, tonics and care creams because of its pleasant aroma, soothing properties and skin cleansing ability.
Short application
Lemongrass should only be taken for a short time for medicinal purposes. The basic rule would be to take a weekly break after three weeks of taking it, and the total therapy should not last longer than four months. This plant can cause certain side effects, such as headache, nausea and vomiting, painful urination, fever, dizziness, skin irritation, allergic reactions … Indigestion can be avoided or alleviated by taking lemon balm with a meal.
