Melissa in bags. Lemon balm, beneficial properties and contraindications
Melissa herb is a sleeping pill and sedative.
Indications and dosage
Indications of Melissa herb:
General condition nervous excitement(increased emotional activity, excitability, irritability), insomnia, vegetative-vascular dystonia, changes in blood pressure due to stress.
1 tablespoon of Melissa herb is placed in an enamel bowl, pour 200 ml of hot boiled water, cover with a lid and heat in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes. Cool at room temperature for 45 minutes, filter, squeeze out the remaining raw materials from the strained infusion. The volume of infusion is adjusted boiled water up to 200 ml. Adults take 1/3 cup warm 3 times a day 15 - 20 minutes before meals. Children 3 - 5 years old - 1 teaspoon each, 5 - 7 years old - 1 dessert spoon each, 7 - 12 years old - 1 tablespoon each, 12 - 14 years old - 2 tablespoons each, over 14 years old - 1/4 cup each 3 times a day 15 - 20 minutes before meals. It is recommended to shake the infusion before use.
Place 2 filter bags in a glass or enamel container, add 200 ml of boiling water, close and leave for 15 minutes. Adults take 1/2 cup warm 3-4 times a day 15-20 minutes before meals. Children 3 - 5 years old - 1 dessert spoon each, 5 - 7 years old - 1 tablespoon each, 7 - 12 years old - 2 tablespoons each, 12 - 14 years old - 1/4 cup each, over 14 years old - 1/3 cup each glasses 3 times a day 15 - 20 minutes before meals.
The duration of treatment is determined by the doctor.
Overdose
An overdose of Melissa herb may cause dizziness, lethargy, and decreased concentration.
Treatment. Stop using the drug and consult a doctor.
Side effects
Allergic reactions are possible (hyperemia, rash, itching and swelling of the skin). When adverse reactions Stop taking Melissa herb and consult a doctor.
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to Melissa herb, arterial hypotension.
Interaction with other drugs and alcohol
At simultaneous use Melissa herbs may enhance the effect of other sedatives and hypnotics.
Composition and properties
active ingredient: melissae herba;
1 pack contains lemon balm herbs 50 g 1 filter bag contains lemon balm herbs 1.5 g.
Release form: Grass.
Pharmacological action: Sleeping pill and sedative.
Storage conditions: Store Melissa herb in original packaging at a temperature not higher than 25 o C in a place inaccessible to children. Prepared infusion - in a cool (8-15 o C) place for no more than 2 days.
Melissa officinalis showed its healing properties more than three centuries ago. During the time of the great healer Avicenna, it was believed that lemon balm strengthens the body, gives vigor and strength. Modern doctors supported this opinion, and scientists discovered a lot of new beneficial properties that have positive action on the body of both women and men.
Melissa essential oil is popular in cosmetology; its fragrant leaves remove unpleasant modern world it is included in personal hygiene rinses, and 2 thousand years ago the leaves were simply chewed, achieving a very good effect. Lemongrass is used as an extract in cooking aromatic oils, occupies one of the first places in perfumery and cosmetics production, and what is especially important, does not cause harm and has practically no side effects. Included in face creams and scrubs.
And yet the main beneficial properties concentrated on traditional methods treatment and traditional medicine.
Appearance, areola, purpose
Melissa vulgare perennial herbal plant. Despite the similarity of the aroma to mint, lemon balm looks different. This small plant reaches a height of up to 80 cm, sometimes up to a meter.
The leaves of the plant are round, pointed at the ends, the stems are thin, and the flowers are small white. Flowering begins in July and ends in September. IN medicinal purposes Only leaves and young shoots are used. Melissa is collected and prepared before flowering. The cut branches are dried well and then stored in natural cotton fabric, this can be a bag or just a piece of fabric.
The fruits ripen after flowering, have an indefinite shape, and the seeds fall into four parts and are black in color. Reproduction occurs by seeds, naturally without harming the environment.
Its second name lemon balm comes from the amazing aroma that the grass exudes. The culprit of the pleasant smell is the essential oil that is released from the leaves of the plant. This oil makes lemon balm great. sedative without causing harm to health.
Melissa common plant family Lamiaceae. Melissa's homeland Southern Europe. In countries Central Asia, in Ukraine and Russia it is a lonely wild plant. It is found mainly on the banks of rivers and lakes, in forest areas, less often along fences or as a weed in fields.
Melissa officinalis is cold-resistant and not picky at all, although it originated in the southern region. In winter, it is completely unaffected by chilly soil, and the grass survives light spring frosts without significant damage.
Interestingly, the smell of grass calms bees; if a person smells mint - the lemon aroma does not harm bee stings. This is why people call it bee grass. The composition has a special effect on the psyche of bees, which prevents them from attacking people.
Useful properties
Melissa officinalis has pleasant smell mint with lemon notes. The herb does not lose its aroma even after drying and fermentation. Leaves and shoots medicinal lemon balm, except essential oil, have a rich chemical composition:
- tannins;
- stearins;
- saponins;
- organic acid compounds;
- B vitamins;
- ascorbic acid;
- calcium;
- potassium;
- iron;
- copper;
- zinc;
- manganese;
- selenium.
The medicinal properties of lemon balm are used in folk medicine to improve appetite, treat diseases of the stomach and intestines. The herb relieves inflammation, prevents its occurrence, helps with constipation, and relieves spasms. Essential oil smoothes intestinal villi, preventing disorders.
The benefit of lemon balm is its natural sedative effect. Essential oil has a calming, relaxing, light sedative effect on nerve cells human body. An infusion of leaves helps in the treatment of insomnia, nervous tension, mental disorders, nervous conditions.
Melissa medicinal use, which has earned recognition in pediatrics, is recommended for children with increased activity for concentration and perseverance. The essential oil extracted from the leaves is used for heart ailments; the menstrual cycle is normalized in women, and potency increases in men. Melissa has beneficial properties, which are highly valued in pharmacology, as well as in the production of natural food additives normalizes metabolism, regulates lipid and carbohydrate balance.
Melissa beneficial properties and contraindications, which can be used in the treatment of asthma, breathing problems, practically does not cause side effects. Essential oil soothes the mucous membranes and blocks irritation.
Flavonoids suppress pain syndrome, therefore, infusions are recommended for headaches and stomach cramps. Vitamin C strengthens the body by activating protective functions, stimulating natural immunity.
Indications for use
Natural useful composition herbs help in the treatment and prevention of diseases various systems body.
- Gastrointestinal tract. Indications are vomiting, lack of appetite, increased acidity, gastritis, peptic ulcer, flatulence, intestinal spasms.
- Nervous disorders. Neuroses, psychoses, insomnia, nervous tension and as a result, trembling in the body.
- Cardiovascular diseases. Tachycardia, dysfunction heart rate, hypertension, rheumatism, high blood pressure, shortness of breath.
- Gallbladder, liver, kidneys. Inflammatory processes, jade, initial stage cirrhosis, kidney stones and gallbladder, violation of the outflow of bile.
- Colds and infectious diseases. Flu, viral infections, herpes, Newcastle disease, measles.
- Disorders of the male reproductive system. Potency, erectile dysfunction, male weakness.
- Menstrual disorders. Dysmenorrhea, artificial menopause.
Contraindications
Natural origin does not exclude contraindications, side effects; improper use can cause harm to the body. Backlash and harm may occur due to overdose. Long-term use leads to addiction, which causes harm to the body in cases of withdrawal.
The main contraindication includes overdose, as well as individual intolerance this plant and preparations based on it.
It is not recommended to take lemon balm for patients prone to low blood pressure with severe arterial hypotension. Under the influence of the drug, the walls of blood vessels narrow, the pressure decreases to critical levels, which undoubtedly causes harm to the body.
Relative contraindications or diseases in which the benefit is greater than the harm can be attributed to:
- exacerbation of peptic ulcer;
- pregnancy;
- lactation period;
- epilepsy;
- schizophrenia;
- alcoholism in chronic form;
- children under three years old.
Signs of overdose:
- nausea;
- dizziness;
- drowsiness;
- fatigue;
- heartburn.
Melissa officinalis (lemon mint, lemon grass, mother plant, bee plant, thurible, folder grass) – perennial herbaceous plant of the Lamiaceae family, used in both folk and official medicine.
Chemical composition
The stems and leaves of lemon balm contain up to 0.33% essential oil containing citronellal, citral, geraniol, myrcene, linolol, bitterness, aldehydes, mucus. Although, it is worth noting that the composition of the oil may vary depending on where the plant grows.
The leaves also contain condensed tannins, oleanolic, caffeic and ursolic acids, ascorbic acid, the seeds contain fatty oil.
In addition, the following were found in the above-ground parts of lemongrass:
- Macroelements: potassium, calcium, iron and magnesium;
- Microelements: manganese, copper, zinc, chromium, molybdenum, barium, aluminum, silicon, tungsten, nickel, sulfur, boron, lead.
The plant also concentrates selenium.
Useful properties
The most useful properties of lemon balm are:
- Sedative;
- Painkiller;
- Analgesic;
- Anticonvulsant;
- Antiviral.
In addition, lemon balm preparations:
- Slow down breathing and heart rate;
- Reduce blood pressure;
- Reduce palpitations, heart pain and shortness of breath;
- Relieves spasm of smooth muscles;
- Eliminate bloating and vomiting;
- Stimulates appetite.
Indications for use
Infusions and decoctions are made from the aerial part of lemon balm, which are taken orally for diseases of the nervous system, insomnia, melancholy, cardiovascular diseases, tachycardia, hypertension, bronchial asthma, gastric atony, and also as a digestive stimulant, diaphoretic and hiccup-relieving agent. Traditional medicine also recommends this plant for anemia, migraines, gout, toxicosis of pregnancy, lactation failure, and overstimulation of sexual function.
Juice from lemon balm is taken orally in the following cases:
- To improve appetite and activity of the digestive organs, with flatulence, constipation, gout and anemia, biliary and renal colic;
- As a pain reliever for various neuralgia, stomach and severe headaches, painful menstruation, rheumatic aches;
- In case of severe debilitating diseases to restore strength;
- For heart neuroses, insomnia, dizziness, fatigue, increased sexual excitability, tinnitus, hysteria, atherosclerosis, fainting;
- For dermatological diseases.
They treat with juice in the form of enemas chronic constipation and hemorrhoids in the acute stage. It is used in the form of rinses for inflammation of the gums, and in the form of compresses and poultices for boils.
Infusions, tinctures, decoctions and gruel from fresh leaves used for bruises, ulcers, paralysis, gout, polyarthritis and furunculosis.
Contraindications
Melissa officinalis is low toxic. The only one absolute contraindication Its use is associated with arterial hypotension, since lemon grass helps reduce blood pressure.
Homemade remedies from lemon balm
- Infusion: 1 tbsp. pour 200 ml of boiling water over the herbs, leave for 40 minutes and strain. Take internally when nervous diseases, severe mental shocks, from fear, grief and melancholy, with stomach neurosis - 1 tbsp. 3 times a day before meals. For rinsing, this infusion can be used for toothache and gum disease; apply compresses using the product for boils, ulcers, bruises, rheumatic pain in joints and muscles;
- An infusion that helps normalize the menstrual cycle: pour 15 g of herb into 180 ml of boiling water, wrap warmly and leave for 1 hour, strain. Divide the resulting product into 3-4 doses during the day;
- Tincture recommended for bloating and gastrointestinal diseases: 1 tbsp. pour the herbs with 100 ml of alcohol or 1 glass of vodka, leave for 2 weeks and strain. Take 15 drops orally 3 times a day;
- Melissa officinalis juice, which helps with fatigue, dizziness and shortness of breath: squeeze the juice from the leaves collected before flowering and take 40-60 drops per 1 tsp. honey with milk 5-6 times a day;
- Enemas with lemon balm for constipation and exacerbation of hemorrhoids: 1 tsp. plant juice per 1 glass of boiled water;
- Remedy used for myocardial dystrophy: mix 40 g of lemon balm herb, 30 g of motherwort and 30 g of cinquefoil, take 2 tbsp. raw materials and pour 1 cup of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes and strain. Take 1-2 glasses per day.
Tea is prepared from fresh lemon balm leaves. It is drunk hot as a diaphoretic, and cold as a refreshing drink. In addition, it reduces dizziness and improves metabolism.5 - 2 votes
Melissa officinalis has a pleasant lemon aroma, so people gave it the appropriate names: lemon balm, lemon grass, lemon balm. You can also hear it called a minnow, a honey honey, a swarmer or a beekeeper.
The latter names are consonant with the botanical “name” of the flower - translated from Greek “melissa” means “bee”. And this is quite natural: the aroma of this medicinal perennial both attracts and has a calming effect on bees. Therefore, if you rub your hands with fresh lemon balm leaves while working in the apiary, the bees will calm down and will not bite you.
Melissa belongs to the herbaceous essential oil perennials of the Melissa genus of the Yamnotaceae family. Another one belongs to the same family medicinal plant, with which it is often confused by inexperienced herbalists, is mint. But these two are absolutely different plants with slightly different properties.
This perennial can reach 1.0 – 1.2 m in height. The root is strong and well branched. The erect, highly branched stem is tetrahedral, covered with small hairs, but can also be almost bare. The foliage is opposite, attached to the stem on small petioles, its shape is round, with large teeth at the edges, and covered with small hairs. The color of the leaves is bright emerald.
The flowers are small, collected in whorls (4-9 pieces each) and located in the axils of the foliage in the upper part of the stem. Their color is white or pale pink. The flowering of this medicinal perennial begins in the first ten days of June and continues until the beginning of autumn.
Melissa belongs to the herbaceous essential oil perennials of the genus Melissa of the Lamiaceae family
The fruits of the plant are achenes, consisting of four nuts that are located at the bottom of the sepal, which remains in the axil after the petals of the flower fall at the end of flowering. Fruit ripening occurs from the first ten days of September to the last ten days of October.
Melissa is distinguished by average resistance to frost. During severe frosts, the plant may partially freeze. However, with the beginning of the new season it is growing again.
This perennial can be propagated by seeds, dividing parent bushes, layering or root cuttings. Seeds are usually not sown before winter, since they do not need stratification, so the seed is sown either in the spring in open ground, or grow seedling method. Lemon balm propagated by seed usually does not bloom in the first year.
Gallery: lemon balm (25 photos)
How to grow lemon balm (video)
The ancient homeland of this medicinal perennial is considered to be the Mediterranean coast, the Black Sea region and the countries of Western Asia. IN natural conditions lemon balm is found in the center and south of Europe, in Balkan countries, in the states of northern Africa and North America. It is found in Ukraine, Belarus, and also in the countries of Transcaucasia. But Basically, lemon balm is a cultivated plant, it is grown everywhere in garden plots in most regions of our country, as well as in many countries of the Eurasian continent.
Lemon balm under natural conditions it is found on the edges of forests, in ravines, in shaded gorges, grows well on both clay and sandy loam soils with sufficient quantity moisture. Too acidic soils are not suitable for this perennial; on such soils it simply dies. The most suitable soil acidity for it is pH 4.6 - 7.5. The plant cannot tolerate stagnant moisture in the soil; in such conditions, the plant is immediately affected by fungal diseases and dies. Lemon balm prefers sunny areas, but can also grow in shaded places, but in this case the vegetative mass of the plant grows worse, and the aroma of the foliage decreases.
Lemon balm prefers sunny areas
How to distinguish lemon balm from mint
Melissa and mint are often confused, but these plants are quite different in their appearance. The main difference is the scent of their foliage. A torn mint leaf has strong smell menthol, and lemon balm has a subtle lemon aroma. Melissa foliage is bright emerald green, while mint foliage has a grayer tint.
And one more thing - lemon balm flowers grow in the axils of the leaf petioles, and mint flowers are collected in spike-shaped inflorescences on the tops of the stems.
Composition and beneficial properties of lemon balm
The effect of using lemon balm is determined by those active substances, which are part of it. According to research, the medicinal raw materials obtained from this plant contain essential oils, which have healing properties. Availability healing properties These oils are due to the fact that they contain:
- Citronellal;
- Citral;
- ascorbic acid (about 120 – 150 mg!);
- tannins;
- oleanic, caffeic and a number of other acids;
- resins and some other active substances.
Medicines containing lemon balm help relieve spasms and have sedative and carminative properties. Also lemon balm has a slight hypnotic effect. The properties of lemon balm described above appear when taken in small quantities; increasing the dose does not lead to a better result.
Melissa tincture has a slight choleretic effect and improves stomach function. But the most useful infusions and decoctions based on this medicinal perennial are for cardiovascular work. vascular system. These drugs help with hypertension, relieve nervous tremors that occur at night, even out and calm breathing, reduce heart rate, and normalize heart rhythm.
In addition, they are good diuretics, and also improve the functioning of the liver and brain, restore the digestive process, regulate metabolism, lower temperature, have a choleretic effect, anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties.
Melissa tincture has a slight choleretic effect, improves stomach function
Collection, preparation and storage of medicinal raw materials
The herb and leaves of lemon balm have a pleasant aroma and taste only before the flowers appear. With the beginning of flowering, the foliage acquires a slightly unpleasant and rough aroma, and the taste and medicinal qualities are decreasing. That's why The procurement of raw materials should be carried out before or at the very beginning of the flowering of this medicinal plant.
For medicinal purposes should be used top part plants with young greenery and flowers beginning to bloom. The collected raw materials should be dried quickly enough in shady places blown by the wind. The raw materials should be stirred regularly so that the collected leaves dry faster.
Completely dried leaves are placed in a glass container and tightly closed so that the essential oils dissipate more slowly. However, these substances are so volatile that after three months they disappear almost completely. That's why the plant is best used in fresh , or no longer than 120 days from the moment of drying.
The healing properties of lemon balm (video)
The use of lemon balm in folk medicine
In folk medicine for treatment various diseases It is recommended to prepare infusions, decoctions, alcohol tinctures based on lemon balm, as well as prepare herbal teas with leaves of this herb. The effect of this perennial on the human body has been studied quite well., and the recommended recipes for preparing preparations based on lemon balm and their effectiveness are time-tested. Therefore, below are some of the most commonly used methods of preparing infusions and decoctions in treatment.
Infusion of lemon balm herb (for internal use)
Pour boiling water (2.5 cups) over 30 g of crushed lemon balm leaves, leave for ½ hour, strain the infusion, and drink in small portions throughout the day. You can brew the infusion in a thermos.
Infusion for poultices
It is prepared in the same way as the previous one, only for the indicated amount of boiling water you should take 2 times more dry raw materials. It should be remembered that prepared infusions are used only fresh - during the day. They should not be heated.
Melissa tea is prepared in much the same way as regular tea, you just have to maintain a certain proportion
A decoction of this medicinal herb
1 tbsp. l. raw materials (without slide) pour 200 g cold water, boil for 1/6 hour, filter and take 1 tsp orally. several times a day. Such decoctions help with asthma (some of its forms), stomach diseases, respiratory tract, a number of heart diseases.
Alcohol tincture of lemon balm
This tincture is prepared as follows: for 1 part of dry raw materials, take 5 parts of vodka, infuse for 7 - 10 days. You should take strictly 15 drops three times a day.
Melissa is a perennial plant with a branched root system and a stem height of 20 to 75 cm. Its leaves contain 0.05% essential oils, characterized by a subtle citrus aroma and spicy taste. The plant is also different high concentration vitamin C, flavonoids and organic acids. Due to this, it is widely used in official and folk medicine. How is lemon balm useful for our body, and in what cases should it not be used?
Features of the collection and preparation of lemon balm
To get the maximum benefit from a plant, it must be properly collected and subsequently stored. IN medicinal purposes For lemon balm, only shoots and young leaves are used until it begins to bloom. That's why optimal time its collection is during June. At this time, the plant is literally filled with juices and has highest concentration phytoncides and healing components. Melissa grows on the edges of mountain forests, on river banks and clean reservoirs. If possible, it can easily be planted in your own garden plot, since it can easily overwinter in open ground.
As for storage, experts recommend adhering to the following rules:
- during drying, lemon balm should not be mixed with other medicinal herbs;
- It is better to store it in a tin can or clothes bag.
Beneficial properties of lemon balm
In aroma and vaguely in taste, lemon balm resembles mint. It has a pleasant lemon aroma, which even in the composition herbal collection often dominates. Melissa leaves contain large number saponins and tannins. B vitamins, vitamin C, selenium, manganese, iron and potassium are just a small part of the microelements present in the plant.
Most often, lemon balm is used as a natural sedative. This is the main area of its application, since the plant has a pronounced relaxing effect on the body. Therefore, lemon balm tea is especially effective for neuroses, chronic stress, nervous fatigue. Pediatricians recommend giving it to children fresh tea from lemon balm leaves overnight. The permitted children's brewing ratio is 1 tsp. dry raw materials per 250 ml of water.
Melissa flowers are useful for colic, poor digestion And unstable work Gastrointestinal tract. Its systematic use helps to normalize the activity of the intestines, liver, gall and pancreas. An infusion based on it is useful for irregular bowel movements and stomach cramps, increased gas formation and gastritis.
Melissa has proven its effectiveness as a good antiviral agent. Brewed according to the classical scheme, it enhances the immune response and strengthens the body while fighting the disease. For these purposes, lemon balm leaf tea goes well with blueberry, cranberry or lingonberry juice.
It can be brewed with high blood pressure, asthma, dizziness, skin diseases.
Melissa oil
In pharmacology, essential oil extract from lemon balm is widely used. It is used as a base for ointments for rheumatic pain and in female medications to stabilize hormonal levels during menopause. For those who suffer from insomnia, doctors recommend dropping lemon balm oil into an aroma lamp and inhaling its aroma. This guarantees sound and healthy sleep.
You can resort to natural oil lemon balm and for cosmetic purposes. It relieves redness and effectively fights acne. It is used both in pure form, lubricating a cotton pad, or in combination with other oils. Girls suffering from oily hair, can solve this problem by enriching their shampoo with a few drops of lemon balm oil. It will improve performance sebaceous glands, will make hair manageable and add natural, natural shine.
Tea made from lemon balm leaves is an excellent immune stimulant. Its effectiveness in the fight against seasonal colds and bronchial diseases has been proven. It needs to be brewed in the same proportion as almost any other herb: one teaspoon to one glass of boiling water. To achieve best effect lemon balm is best combined with green tea(in equal proportions), linden and honey. If you don’t want the extra hassle of straining the tea, you can immediately buy the bagged version.
Melissa contraindications
Because this medicinal herb, then it also has certain restrictions on its use. It should not be drunk by people suffering arterial hypotension (low blood pressure). Before use, it is also worth monitoring whether there is an individual allergic reaction on the components that make up lemon balm. Therefore, you need to start with small volumes.
Technologies for brewing lemon balm based on purpose
Depending on the problem, lemon balm can be used in the following ways:
- If you have problems falling asleep and increased excitability, you need to make a steam based on young lemon balm leaves. For 1 liter of boiling water you need to take 15-20 g of dry raw materials, mix and leave to steep for 20 minutes. It is advisable to drink the resulting infusion at night, 1 glass. If desired, you can add a spoonful of honey to it.
- In case of migraine, the following proportion is used: 1 tbsp. pour dry and crushed lemon balm leaves into a standard glass hot water(up to 95°C). Leave the infusion for 1 hour. The optimal dosage is ½ glass before each meal.
- To treat bruises and rheumatism at home, you can use the following recipe: 2 tbsp. lemon balm leaves, pour 250 ml of boiling water, cover the container with a lid, remove to infuse for 45 minutes. The resulting steam must be filtered and used for compresses on problem areas.
- For gum disease and toothache, an infusion of lemon balm leaves and tops is used. It is enough to take 1 tbsp. all components of the plant and pour boiling water over them (250 ml is enough). Leave to infuse, covered, for 1 hour, then strain. Rinse your mouth with the resulting product several times a day.
- From unstable menstrual cycle naturopaths recommend the following infusion option. 15 g of dry and crushed herbs need to be poured with 180 g of strong boiling water. The maximum infusion time is 1 hour. This steam can be used in the form of tea or warm baths.
Another area in which this medicinal herb has proven itself successfully is proper nutrition. It is low in calories - only 45 kcal per 100 g. Tea or infusion of lemon balm in combination with healthy food will help in the fight against extra pounds, because it “accelerates” metabolism. It also promotes gentle cleansing intestines, avoiding constipation. And due to the fact that lemon balm has a sedative effect on nervous system, people don’t break down by overeating junk food.
How to prepare an infusion of lemon balm specifically for the purpose of losing weight? Take 10 g of chopped herb and pour 1 glass of boiling water over it. Brew for an hour and strain. You need to drink the drink half an hour before meals, 70-100 ml (approximately half a glass). It is advisable not to prepare tea for future use throughout the day.
You can enhance the effect of the drink by adding honey, ginger or mint to it.
Another option for using lemon balm on a diet is a nutritional shake. To prepare it you will need two fresh cucumber, cut into small cubes, and a bunch of chopped lemon balm leaves. Mix the ingredients and fill them with 500 ml of low-fat yogurt. This great alternative snack or light summer dinner.
A tonic drink based on lemon balm leaves will appeal to those who are looking for an affordable and safe remedy to increase performance. Mix 10 g of thyme, lemon balm and blackberry leaves, 3-5 rose hips and a handful of calendula. Take 20 g of the resulting mixture and pour 300 ml of boiling water over it. Let it sit for at least one hour. Nutritionists recommend drinking up to 70-100 ml of infusion 2-3 times a day.
External use of lemon balm leaves
The unique effect of lemon balm on the body is not limited to its use in the form of steam. It is also effective in combating skin rashes, inflammation of tissues and muscles. For these purposes, it must be brewed in the following proportion: 4 tbsp. dried herb for 1 liter of boiling water. The spray should sit for an hour, after which it can be soaked into a bandage or gauze and applied to the problem area. It works very well in combating irritations on the face. It is better to use cotton pads only for treating small areas.
In case of skin ulcers, polyarthritis or joint pain, you need to grind the lemon balm leaves to a fine crumb. Pour boiling water over them (for 20 g of leaves - a glass of water), leave to infuse, cool and apply the pulp to the body.
The effectiveness of lemon balm and ordinary alcohol are greatly enhanced. This tincture is used for rubbing or as an immune stimulant. To cook this universal remedy, you will need 50 g of fresh lemon balm leaves and 250 ml of alcohol or vodka. Dry raw materials need to be crushed in a blender or ground in a mortar, folded into glass jar, pour alcohol and cover with a lid. Then put it in a dark place for 3 weeks. Alcohol tincture take 15 drops before each full meal.
Melissa can be grown on windowsills, planted in the garden or collected from organic foxes. Well, or just buy it at the pharmacy. It has been found that people who love lemon balm tea have a fresh complexion and can better cope with daily psychological stress. They have stronger immunity and everyone works more harmoniously digestive tract. Melissa is especially useful for older people and hyperactive children.
Video: beneficial properties of lemon balm
