Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Lemon balm is one of the few sour mints. It is cooling and sedating, relieves stress, gladdens the spirit, and is helpful for headaches and stomach upset.

The glycerite is delicious to taste yet subtle and powerful in the way it impacts mood. Lemon balm glycerite lifts sorrow and pain from the heart and calms the cardiac neural network.

It works wonderfully well in shen tonics - herbal formulas which support the higher consciousness of the heart.

I like to combine lemon balm glycerite and tincture, holy basil, schizandra, and rose glycerite to help deepen our capacity to love and bring peaceful energies to the heart. This shen tonic is specific for those who are alone and who have trouble reaching out. It is also for people who are chronic worriers.

Lemon balm combines well with chamomile, meadowsweet and licorice for sluggish digestion. It is known to ease both digestive and menstrual cramping.

As an antiviral, lemon balm is used internally and topically to prevent or address outbreaks of herpes and shingles.

A gentle herb, it is used to reduce restlessness in children with attention deficit disorders.

For people with hyperthyroidism, it is effective with motherwort and bugleweed.

European herbalists have used lemon balm to enhance memory and improve circulation to the brain. It inhibits the breakdown of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter associated with learning and memory. Some research indicates that it may slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

According to ancient magical traditions, lemon balm was burnt as incense to attract love.

The essential oil is famous for its soothing and mood uplifting actions. It is also powerfully anti-inflammatory, promotes skin health, relieves PMS, improves Alzheimer's symptoms and combats infections.

The flower essence helps us to feel worthy of love.

Blessings,

Madelon Hope