Where Can I Buy Lemon Balm Tea
I have never heard of this Lemon balm mint until I aw a Double Lemon marmalade recipe. This recipe calls for Lemon Balm. 4 cups of fresh lemon balm leaves to 4 1/2 cups of boiling water. pour over leaves and let stand for 15 minutes. I will be using only 3 1/2 cups of liquid to make the marmalade.After reading your article my questions is. Would there be any concerns using the Lemon Balm in this manner? finished recipe will produce about 5 1/2 pints.
where can i buy lemon balm tea
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), a member of the mint family, is considered a calming herb. It was used as far back as the Middle Ages to reduce stress and anxiety, promote sleep, improve appetite, and ease pain and discomfort from indigestion (including gas and bloating, as well as colic). Even before the Middle Ages, lemon balm was steeped in wine to lift the spirits, help heal wounds, and treat venomous insect bites and stings. Today, lemon balm is often combined with other calming, soothing herbs, such as valerian, chamomile, and hops, to promote relaxation. It is also used in creams to treat cold sores (oral herpes).
Native to Europe, lemon balm is grown all over the world. It is grown not only in herb gardens or to attract bees, but also in crops for medicine, cosmetics, and furniture polish manufacturing. The plant grows up to 2 feet high, sometimes higher if not maintained. In the spring and summer, clusters of small, light yellow flowers grow where the leaves meet the stem. The leaves are very deeply wrinkled and range from dark green to yellowish green in color, depending on the soil and climate. If you rub the leaves, your fingers will smell tart and sweet, like lemons. The leaves are similar in shape to mint leaves, and come from the same plant family.
Several studies show that lemon balm combined with other calming herbs (such as valerian, hops, and chamomile) helps reduce anxiety and promote sleep. Few studies have examined lemon balm by itself, except for topical use. For example, in one study of people with minor sleep problems, 81% of those who took an herbal combination of valerian and lemon balm reported sleeping much better than those who took a placebo. It is not clear from this and other studies whether lemon balm or valerian (or the combination) is responsible for the result.
In another double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 18 healthy volunteers received 2 separate single doses of a standardized lemon balm extract (300 mg and 600 mg) or placebo for 7 days. The 600 mg dose of lemon balm increased mood and significantly increased calmness and alertness.
Some studies suggest that topical ointments containing lemon balm may help heal cold sores caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). In one study of 116 people with HSV, those who applied lemon balm cream to their lip sores experienced significant improvement in redness and swelling after only 2 days. Other symptoms, such as pain and scabbing, did not improve. Both the people and their doctors reported that lemon balm ointment was highly effective. Another large study involving three German hospitals and one dermatology clinic showed that when lemon balm was used to treat the primary infection of HSV I, not a single recurrence was noted. The cream has also been found to reduce the healing time of both genital and oral herpes. Several animal studies also support the value of topical lemon balm for herpes lesions. And preliminary studies show that lemon balm exhibited a high, concentration-dependent activity against HIV infection.
Some evidence suggests that lemon balm, in combination with other herbs, may help treat indigestion. Others reveal that lemon balm oil has a high degree of antibacterial activity. In one study, lemon balm showed adequate activity against Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus auerus. And a few studies have found that lemon balm may help improve cognitive function and decrease agitation in people with Alzheimer disease.
Lemon balm supplements are made from the leaves of the plant. Essential oils made from lemon balm leaves contain plant chemicals called terpenes, which play at least some role in the herb's relaxing and antiviral effects. Lemon balm contains substances called tannins, which may be responsible for many of the herb's antiviral effects. Lemon balm also contains eugenol, which calms muscle spasms, numbs tissues, and kills bacteria.
Lemon balm is available as a dried leaf that can be bought in bulk. It is also sold as tea, and in capsules, extracts, tinctures, and oil. Some creams used in Europe, which contain high levels of lemon balm, are not available in the United States. On the other hand, teas can be applied to the skin with cotton balls. Lemon balm is also available in homeopathic remedies and as aromatherapy (essential oil).
Sedatives and thyroid medications: Lemon balm may interact with sedatives and thyroid medications. If you are taking sedatives (for insomnia or anxiety) or medications to regulate your thyroid, ask your doctor before taking lemon balm.
Geuenich S, Goffinet C, Venzke S, Nolkemper S, Baumann I, Plinkert P, Reichling J, Keppler OT. Aqueous extracts from peppermint, sage and lemon balm leaves display potent anti-HIV-1 activity by increasing the virion density. Retrovirology. 2008;5:27.
Kennedy DO, Wake G, Savelev S, et al., Modulation of mood and cognitive performance following acute administration of single doses of Melissa officinalis (Lemon balm) with human CNS nicotinic and muscarinic receptor-binding properties. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2003;28(10):1871-81.
In many ways, lemon balm is similar to lemon verbena, which we have written about extensively (click here for our guide) and also include in our CatNap relaxation tea blend. It has a strong lemon fragrance and taste, is said to provide many digestive-related health benefits, and is often added to herbal tea blends. Additional benefits of lemon balm include:
Lemon balm seems to be beneficial in the treatment for nausea, especially when used in combination with other herbs and spices. It could be as helpful as ginger, suggesting that these two natural remedies could commune to create a potent anti-sickness tea.
Lemon balm has been praised for anti-ageing properties. There have been a few positive studies concerning its effect on skin health, including one where it was singled out from more than 680 plants because of its ability to reduce skin damage associated with aging and certain skin diseases. (1) This study used lemon balm tea as opposed to a topical extract.
It is possible to be allergic to lemon balm, and anyone with known allergy to plants in the mint family should avoid this herb. It can also produce side effects in rare cases or following excessive consumption, so caution is advised. If you are consuming lemon balm for the first time then it is best to start slow, limiting your dose to small amounts to gauge your reaction before increasing them to recommended, therapeutic levels.
Some of the side effects of lemon balm consumption include wheezing, headaches, stomach pains, and nausea. If you are taking any medications, have a preexisting medical condition, or are pregnant, speak with your doctor before consuming lemon balm tea or taking any other products containing this herb. You should also consult a doctor if you are planning on giving this herb to a child, because while some of the benefits mentioned above do relate to infants and children, the medications we referred to are prescribed under medical supervision.
There are certainly many reasons why you would consider drinking this tea, and ultimately the choice is yours. If you like the taste and believe that you may benefit from some of the aforementioned effects, then give it a try! You may also want to look into lemon verbena, which has a similar taste and is also part of the Shelgo Tea range.
Everyone's been raving about CBD oil as the new "it" ingredient to alleviate anxiety naturally and chill out without the psychotropic effects of marijuana. And while it does work wonders for some, we shouldn't let other powerfully calming herbs that have been doing their thing for thousands of years get lost in the hype. Case in point: lemon balm.
The lemon balm plant (Melissa officinalis) is a perennial herb that's a member of the mint family. It's native to the Mediterranean but grows easily throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. It looks kind of like mint, too, but its leaves emit a lovely lemony scent when crushed and contain compounds that have a soothing effect on the body. Lemon balm's common name, Melissa, is the Greek word for honey bee, because bees are totally obsessed with this fragrant herb.
Lemon balm leaves have been used in herbal medicine dating back to around the year A.D. 60 in Ancient Greece. There, it was prescribed by Pedanius Dioscorides, the physician and botanist who penned an encyclopedia called De Materia Medica on herbal medicine. Back then, it's thought that he used lemon balm to treat fevers and gassiness, and to improve people's spirits. Fun fact: Lemon balm was also used in spells to heal broken hearts and attract love.
"In addition to helping with digestive issues like bloating and gas, lemon balm has been used to manage anxiety and aid sleep, with studies showing it can help you feel calmer," says Jessica Cording, M.S., R.D., CDN, registered dietitian and health coach. "It may also boost cognitive function and be helpful for easing menstrual cramps and headaches."
In one small study1, taking 600 milligrams of lemon balm before being exposed to laboratory-induced psychological stressors improved participants' mood significantly compared to when they underwent the same test without lemon balm. They also reported an increased sense of calm.
Another study2 found that consuming foods and beverages laced with lemon balm was associated with improvements in mood and cognitive performance and reduced levels of anxiety. Research suggests3 that a compound in lemon balm called rosmarinic acid may be responsible for the calming effects since it's known to activate GABA receptors in the brain. (Learn how GABA works in your brain and why it's so important.) 041b061a72