Botaical Name -: Melissa Officinalis
Family Name -: Lamiaceae
Other Name -: Sweet Lemon, Lemon Balm
Description
A perennial plant, originally native to the eastern Mediterranean, it can now be found growing wild throughout most of Europe, and is cultivated mainly as a culinary herb for its lemon-scented leaves. It can grow upto two feet in height. The folowers are yellow with cluster of small. The leaves are deep wrinkled with dark green colour. The volatile oil of the hern consists mainly of geranial and neral with caryohyllene oxide and smaller quantities of terpenes, glycosides of the alcoholic or phenolic compoens of the volatile oil , cafeic acid derivatives , flavonoids, triterpene acids. Hot water extract exhibit antiviral properties mainly due to rosmaric ancid and other polyphenols. Aqueous extract inhibit tumour cell dividing Freeze dried aqueous extract inhibit many of the dffects of exogenous and endogenous thyroid stimulating hormones on bovine thyroid gland by inerfering with the binding of TSH to plasma membranes and by inhibitig the enzymes iodothyronine deiodinase in vitro.It was used in the Middle Ages to reduce stress and anxiety, promote sleep, improve appetite and digestions . It has calming properties. It also appears to have properties that reduce bacteria and viruses. It is also useful for cosmatic, furniture and medicine purposes. A numerous studies have originate that lemon balm joint with other soothing herbs such as valerian, hops, chamomile helps decrease anxiety and support sleep. It contains eugenol, which calms muscle spasms, numbs tissues, and kills bacteria.
Uses
This herb is useful in indigestion, gas, insomnia, and hyperthyroidism. . Traditionally, it has been used to treat nervousness, depression and insomnia, and it is also claimed to stimulate the onset of menstruation and relieve period pains. It is also useful for stress, tension, meomory problems and other nervous disorders. It has antioxidant and anti HIV properties.
How to Use in Different Diseases
An ointment is useful in lipsores, swelling, scabies, inflammation, redness, pains, insect bite and stingbite, cut, wounds etc. A tea is very beneficial for those persons who suffering of the sweating and regulate the menstrual disorders such as bleeding disorders, menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea.. An infusion of the leaves can be used to dull pain, ease toothache, and relieve flatulence, cramps, indigestion and colic. Since it increases perspiration, it is useful in treating colds by reducing feverishness. The leaves can be used to prepare a pleasant, aromatic tea with soothing and relaxing properties. Available from larger health food stores and herbalists.
Dose and Preparations
Ointment, tea,infusion
Ointment- Twice daily
Infusion- 15ml
Tea- 2 to 4gm