Awesome Lemon Balm Medicinal Uses

Lemon balm medicinal uses include its ability to reduce anxiety, stress, improve sleep, ease pain, improve appetite and all manner of discomfort from indigestion. Since inception, lemon balm has been used to help wounds healing, and also to treat insect bites and stings especially venomous ones.

Presently, lemon balm medicinal uses are quite beneficial and works wonders especially when combined with other soothing, calming herbs such as matricaria chamomile, hops, valerian in order to foster relaxation.

An Arabian physician Ibn Sina, in eleven century said that the lemon balm is a medicinal plant that has the admirably property to give joyfulness and comfort. Right from seventeen century, this plant has been used to prepare “Carmel Water” which has become a well-known remedy for weakness, syncopes and nervous crises.

Description of lemon balm

Lemon balm is a vivacious plant which belongs to the Labiatae family. It grows from 40 to 80 cm or 2 feet in height. The leaves are rough, toothed and readily give off a lemon scent. This medicinal plant is native to Europe. However, it can be grown in any part of the world. It can be farmed or grown to:

1. Attract bees
2. Use as medicine
3. Cosmetics.

Depending on the soil and weather conditions (climate), the leaves may be wrinkled deeply and can turn from dark green to yellowish green. Another peculiar characteristic is that when the leaves are rubbed, the fingers will eventually smell tart and tastes sweet.

The parts of the plant used for it medicinal purposes are the leaves and flowers.

Properties and Indications

Lemon balm leaves and flowers contain about 0.25% of essential oil which is highly rich in citral and citronellal aldehydes. The presence of citronellal aldehydes and citral in the essential oil brings about the following actions:

1. Antispasmodic
2. Carminative
3. Sedative
4. Digestive
5. Antiseptic action

Therefore, lemon balm medicinal uses are quite useful in the following cases.

1. Stress and Depression
2. Nervous problems
3. Menstrual pain

Stress and Depression

One of lemon balm medicinal uses is its gentle sedative and the action of balancing effects on the nervous system. This is the reason why lemon balm is recommended in cases of nervous depression and stress.

Nervous problems

This plant exerts its medicinal uses in cases of anxiety, excitation, tension headaches (headaches that may have emanate from nervous origin).

Menstrual Pain

Since inception, it has been on recommendation in cases of menstrual pain because it helps to ease the pain.

Other indications

Researches and studies find that one of the lemon balm medicinal uses is the fact that it reduces insomnia especially when taken at night. It helps to alleviate and overcome insomnia. Furthermore, according to mountsinai.org, it reduces anxiety and also help improve sleep especially when combined with herbs such as hops, Valerian, matricaria chamomile.

Herbs

The use of topical ointments having the presence of lemon balm is capable of healing cold sores which may be caused by HSV (herpes simplex virus).

Indigestion

With the combination of other herbs, it may help treat indigestion. It is noteworthy that lemon balm oil exerts antibacterial activity in high degree. In a study, it also showed that lemon balm can adequately act against staphylococcus auerus and monocytogenes.

There is presence of terpenes from essential oils made from the leaves that contain the chemicals. This also plays important role in relaxing and antiviral effects.

Lemon balm medicinal uses are useful for abdominal spasms and colics, palpitations, nausea, flatulence and vomiting. The applying infusion and dry extract, the effects are quite beneficial.

When applied externally, it exerts its antifungal, antiseptic and antiviral actions. This is why it is helpful against type 2 mixovirus and the herpes virus.

Preparation and Use

Internal Use

1. Dry extract: it can be administered in a dose of 0.5 g, at least three times a day
2. Infusion: Obtain 20 – 30 grams of lemon balm per liter of water. Drink three cups every day.

External Use

1. Baths: Use the same method as in compresses below and add to bath water (using 3 liters pee bath tub)
2. Compresses: This can be done by applying an infusion of 40 – 50 grams per liter of water.
3. Frictions: With the essence dissolved in balm alcohol.

Caution!

Carmel water is not recommended. This is due to that fact that it holds alcohol content in high degree.

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