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Loading...Lemon Balm: A Friend for the Bees
- Brigitte Mars
- July 22, 2010
- 9:04 am
- 54 comments
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) is a member of the Lamiaceae (Mint) Family. Melissa, the genus name is from the Latin melisso phyllum, meaning, “honey bee” as it is a favorite flower of bees. The species name officinalis means that the herb has long been used by apothecaries.
Lemon balm also goes by the folk names Balm, Bee Balm, Dropsy Plant, Heart’s Delight, Melissa, and “Elixir of Life” (a name given by Paracelsus). Lemon balm was widely used in ancient Greek and Rome. This herb was sacred in the temple of Diana, and priestesses of Aphrodite were called Melissa. Avicenna, the great Arab physician (980-1037) said, Lemon Balm “causeth the mind and heart to be merry.”
The above-ground portion of the place is used as an antibacterial, antidepressant, antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antispasmodic, antiviral, aromatic, carminative, cephalic, chologogue, diaphoretic, digestive, emmenagogoue, febrifuge, hypotensive (mild), nervine, parturient, rejuvenative, sedative, stomachic, tonic, and vasodilator.
Lemon Balm is used to treat allergies, amenorrhea, anxiety, asthma, attention deficit, bronchitis, chicken pox, chronic fatigue, colic, colds, depression, Fever, flatulence, Flu, Grave’s disease, headaches, herpes, homesickness, hyperactivity, hypertension, hysteria, indigestion, insomnia, menstrual cramps, migraine, mumps, muscle spasms, nausea, nervousness, Newcastle disease, nightmares, heart palpitations due to nerves, pain, restlessness, senility, shingles, smallpox, stomachache, and teething. Lemon balm clears heat, calms the heart, cleans the liver, improves chi circulation and lifts the spirits. German studies indicate lemon balm’s essential oils help protect the cerebrum from excess external stimuli.
Read more: Food, Health, Nature, edible, garden, healing, health, herbs, mint, vegan, vegetarian, wild, yard
Brigitte Mars
Brigitte Mars, a professional member of the American Herbalist Guild, is a nutritional consultant who has been working with Natural Medicine for over 40 years. She teaches Herbal Medicine at Naropa University, Boulder College of Massage, and Bauman College of Holistic Nutrition and Culinary Arts and has a private practice. Brigitte is the author of 12 books, including Rawsome!. Find more healthy living articles, raw food recipes, videos, workshops, books, and more at brigittemars.com. Also check out her international model yogini daughter, Rainbeau at rainbeaumars.com.
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people are talking
Sounds like effective info
great :)
thanks Lissa absolutely not the only thing to consider in addition to ALL other ways to possibly …
Almonds, almonds, everywhere I look, almonds are suggested as a weight loss source.
Cats are adorable!
54 comments
+ add your ownMarvellous and delightful. Bee balm flowers are wonderful as well. Such an intense red flower.
Thanks
To make Lemon Balm soup. Great article. Thanks for sharing.
I love lemon balm but did not know all it is good for. I will start to grow it on my roof!
Ciekawe.
Great! I have so much lemon balm in my backyard!
Mint is excellent for honey bees. It helps keep them healthy, and the honey has a bolder flavor.
Seems like a great plant to have around.
As a beekeeper I found this article very interesting!
I have lemon balm. Haven't see any honeybees in my garden, but the bumblers are out.
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