Melissa officinalis 

Medicinal Preparations:

Tincture (ratio & % alcohol): Fresh: 1:3+  Dry: 1:5 60 %
Drops: 10-60   Times a day: 4x

Glycerite: 1:3-1:4   Glycerin: 50%  Alcohol: 50%
Drops:10-60   Times a day: 4x

Tea: Hot/cold infusion    
Ounces: 4-8  Times a day: 4x

Tea of lemon balm is mild ,so be sure to choose a vessel that is well sealed to keep as much of the volatile oils in as possible.

Habitat and Botanical Description: 

Lemon balm is a medium sized, mint like plant native to southern Europe, Iran, and Central Asia but has naturalized around the world. Its uses date back over 2000 years ago and was mentioned by Greek philosopher and botanist Theophrastus of Eresus in his Historia Plantarum written in 300 BC.

Lemon Balm grows freely in almost any soil and can be propagated by seeds, cuttings or division of roots in spring or fall. The leaves emit a strong lemon odor when they are rubbed or bruised. The flowers are light yellow to white to pinkish.  Lemon balm dies back every season, but the bulb is perennial. Be sure to cut off the dead stalks in the fall.  

Medicinal Uses:

Lemon balm contains medicinal volatile oils. Children to the elderly can enjoy lemon balm safely. Lemon balm has a gentle nature that provides nervine support. Its volatile oils calm the autonomic nervous system and has a tranquilizing effect. It works well by itself but combines well with skullcap, chamomile, wild oats, lavender and St. john wort. This combo would work well with children who are hyperactive or have ADD, ADHD (if not already medicated). 

Lemon balm is a carminative and stomachic and smooth muscle anti spasmodic. It is a little milder than peppermint and fennel in this regard but good in combinations, especially with other mints for a digestive. It is great for nerve digestive disorders and sympathetic stress which works to calm nerves and aid digestion. The tea is good for menstrual cramps, stomachache, diarrhea, gas pain and bloating. A breastfeeding mother can drink the tea to calm a colicky infant. 

Melissa is an excellent anti viral. Use internally and externally for herpes, shingles and pus filled wounds (tannins dry out wounds). 

Harvesting:

Gather the aerial parts just before the flowers open, which is when the volatile oils are at their strongest concentration. Harvest early summer to mid fall from clean areas. The fresh plant of lemon balm is preferred as it contains volatile oils where most of it healing properties reside. To dry, cut below the lowest set of leaves, tie and hang upside down in a well ventilated area out of the sun.  Dried lemon balm does not have a long shelf life. For long term medicinal use, make a tincture with the fresh or very recently dried herb. The leaves can also be stored in a airtight bag and frozen. 

Recommended products:

• Traditional Medicinals Lemon Balm Tea
• Wish Garden Stress Release for Pregnancy
• Pacific Botanicals Lemon Balm

Contraindications:

Be aware of dosage throughout the day, as lemon balm can be very sedating to some individuals. Do not use with thyroid hormone medications (consult with practitioner). Hypothyroid do not take, Hyper ok. Caution with mint family allergies.