Lemon mint. Growing and care

Lemon balm, or lemon balm, is a plant that has been used since ancient times to treat many diseases. This herb has a pleasant lemony smell, hence its name. The healing properties of lemon balm have been proven and are recognized by traditional medicine.

Mint: description of popular types

Mint is a designation for a large group of plants in the Lamiaceae family. In total, more than 25 species of mint and over 100 subspecies are known. The most famous are:

• Field mint- the most common species in Russia. Inflorescences of mauve flowers are located at the base of elongated leaves. The plant reaches a height of 40-60 cm. It is widely used in cooking and folk medicine, and is a raw material for the production of essential oil;
• Peppermint- a cultivated plant grown in the south of Russia and in many European countries. It has a strong menthol taste and a pungent odor. Peppermint is used in medicine and in cooking in the preparation of soft drinks;

• Garden mint. Grows in the southwest and south of Russia. Does not have a strong menthol taste or unpleasant odor. The leaves of the plant are oblong, pointed at the ends, the stem height rarely exceeds 40 cm;
• Water mint. It is found along the banks of forest reservoirs in the European part of Russia. It has a very strong menthol smell. The plant has a height of 30-80 cm; the distinctive feature of this species is the spherical inflorescences located at the end of the stem;

• Long leaf mint. Grows in central Russia and Western Siberia. The stem of the plant is tetrahedral, reaching a height of 80-120 cm. Small purple flowers are collected in racemose inflorescences. This type of mint has a gentle, non-irritating odor and is used in folk medicine as an analgesic and antiseptic;
• Curly mint. This is a cultivated plant with a pleasant smell and delicate taste, without the aftertaste of menthol. It is distinguished by curly and slightly pubescent leaves. Widely used in cooking, grown in many European countries;

• Apple mint. It is found wild in the Caucasus and southern Europe. Reaches a height of 60 cm, has a straight stem and large, wide leaves. Used as a spice;
• Flea mint. It grows wild in the North Caucasus and is cultivated in Turkmenistan. The name comes from the fact that in the past this plant was used to control fleas. This type of mint has small round leaves. Used in cooking;

• Plectranthus, or indoor mint. Widely used for landscaping balconies and city apartments. The plant has drooping shoots and small flowers collected in racemes.

The healing properties of lemon balm (video)

Lemon balm: medicinal properties and contraindications

Lemon balm, or lemon balm, is a medicinal plant from the Lamiaceae family., which is widely used in folk medicine. It is found wild in southern Russia and the Caucasus. Melissa can be grown in garden plots, as it is an unpretentious and cold-resistant plant.

Lemon balm is rich in vitamin C, as well as microelements necessary for the human body: magnesium, zinc, molybdenum, selenium, copper. Melissa improves immunity, has an antipyretic and diaphoretic effect, therefore it is used in the complex treatment of colds and flu.

The substances that make up lemon balm have many medicinal properties:

1. Calm the nervous system, helping to get rid of stress and insomnia;
2. Lower blood pressure;
3. Have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the stomach and intestines;
4. Normalize the functioning of the cardiovascular and endocrine systems;
5. Remove toxins and harmful substances from the body;
6. Helps with complex therapy of oncological diseases.

In cosmetology, lemon balm is used to combat inflammation and acne, since the substances contained in the plant improve the structure of the facial skin and help relieve inflammation.

Contraindications to the use of lemon balm are:

1. Children under 3 years of age;
2. Epilepsy and episyndrome;
3. Chronically low blood pressure (hypotension);
4. Allergy to this plant;
5. Liver failure.

Due to the fact that lemon balm has a calming effect, it is not recommended to take it before situations that require concentration and quick reaction (driving a car, exam, etc.)

Varieties of mint (video)

Benefits of lemon balm for women and men

Melissa is especially useful for women. This plant helps overcome premenstrual syndrome and reduces pain during menstruation. Lemon balm improves the tone of the muscles of the internal organs, so it helps with prolapse of the uterus.

Many women believe that lemon balm cannot be used during pregnancy, but this is not true. On the contrary, this plant helps to cope with toxicosis and promotes an easier course of labor and separation of the placenta. But Lemon balm should be used in moderation during pregnancy.

During menopause, the use of lemon balm helps to avoid depression, excessive irritability, and disruption of the endocrine system. Besides, Lemon Balm Accelerates Weight Loss While Combating Obesity, but only in combination with proper nutrition and exercise.

The benefits of lemon balm for men are questionable. The stronger sex is not recommended to take lemon balm before sexual intercourse, as the plant can cause a temporary decrease in male power. With prolonged use there is a risk of developing impotence. But if you take lemon balm in small doses and occasionally, there will be no undesirable consequences.

Melissa: features and applications

In folk medicine, lemon balm is used to prepare tinctures, teas, decoctions and inhalations. The most popular remedies are easy to prepare yourself:

• Pour 2 tablespoons of lemon balm into a glass of boiling water and let it brew for 50-60 minutes, then strain. Drink half a glass 2-3 times a day to relieve stress, combat insomnia and headaches;
• Add crushed lemon balm to boiling water at the rate of 10 grams of herb per 1 glass of water. Keep on low heat for 10 minutes, then cool and strain. Take the resulting decoction 3 times a day, a teaspoon.

• The product helps normalize the functioning of the stomach, reduces blood pressure and has a tonic effect;
• For coughs, inhalations with lemon balm are used. To do this, 3-4 drops of lemon balm oil are mixed with a small amount of honey and diluted with boiling water. Then the patient is allowed to breathe in steam for 10-15 minutes;
• A lemon balm compress is good for abrasions, bruises and rheumatism. To prepare it, pour 2 tablespoons of dry herb into a glass of boiling water, let it brew for 15-20 minutes, then soak a cotton cloth in the liquid and apply it to the skin;
• To combat acne and inflammation of the facial skin, you can add a few drops of lemon balm oil to the main cream;
• Melissa tea. The herb can be brewed with black or green tea by adding 1 teaspoon of mint to 1-2 liters of water. The drink has a calming effect, reduces irritability, helps get rid of depression and insomnia, but does not cause weakening of attention (unlike tinctures and decoctions).

When using lemon balm, it is important to remember that an overdose can have the opposite effect or cause side effects (drowsiness, sluggishness, decreased potency in men). Therefore, you cannot use more herbs to prepare folk remedies than is indicated in the recipe.

How to make mint decoction (video)

Lemon balm is a useful plant: its leaves and oils are used in cooking, folk medicine and cosmetology. Thanks to its unique composition, lemon balm has many medicinal properties. At the same time, it has very few contraindications for use and side effects.

Often found in vegetable gardens. They love it for its pleasant mint-lemon smell and healing properties. And just for beauty. The plant takes its place in any free corner of the garden and its contraindications, methods of using herbs - everything is worth talking about in detail.

What kind of plant is this?

It has many names: honey honey, bee mint, bee plant, swarmer, queen plant (it is clear that bees are not indifferent to it!). The beneficial properties and aroma of the plant are appreciated not only by bees, but also by people, but more on that a little later. This is a perennial plant reaching a height of 0.5-1 meters. The roots are strong, the bush is branched. The leaves are round, carved along the edges, and the flowers are small and yellowish in color. It is unpretentious in cultivation: once settled in a corner of the garden, it stays there for a long time, and it will still have to be limited a little: our beloved lemon balm will try to capture more space!

Useful properties and contraindications

It makes sense to start the list with contraindications, because there are much fewer of them. First of all, you need to remember that any herbal medicines should be given to children with great caution: you can never predict how the child’s body will react to such a powerful effect. Melissa herb is no exception. Its beneficial properties are manifested, among other things, in hypertension: teas and infusions of lemon balm reduce blood pressure. This means that it is contraindicated for people with low blood pressure. Next, lemon balm calms the nerves, relaxes, and improves sleep. However, in cases when it is required when there is work or driving ahead, you should forget about tea with fragrant lemon balm. Since it is an essential oil plant, some may experience allergic reactions. In a word, lemon balm is very selective in its action.

The beneficial properties and contraindications are incommensurable, the list of diseases that this herb helps with is so extensive. Its healing power is largely due to the high content of essential oils in the leaves. Melissa is also rich in vitamins, especially vitamin C, carotene, rosmarinic and caffeic acids, flavonoids, and tannins.

What does lemon balm treat?

There are real fans of this herb who can say: “Why doesn’t it heal!” This may be an exaggeration, but judge for yourself. The fact that herbal infusions calm the nervous system has already been said above. In the same way, lemon balm can relieve spasms in the muscles, stomach or intestines. Beneficial properties and contraindications in this case go side by side: the herb helps only in moderate doses, and if consumed excessively, the effect can be the opposite, that is, not sedative, but tonic. The diuretic and choleretic properties of lemon balm are widely used. For diabetes mellitus, teas made from its leaves gently lower blood sugar levels, at the same time pacifying nervous tremors and rapid heartbeat, which often accompany the disease. For asthma, lemon balm can normalize breathing. It is also indicated for anemia. For gouty pain, lemon balm decoctions alleviate the condition of patients. You should always have lemon balm oil at home in case of flu and colds, high fever, and herpes on the lips. We must not forget about home cooking: many people enjoy using lemon balm herb as a spicy seasoning for food.

Even Avicenna, in his work “The Canons of Medical Science,” mentioned lemon balm as a remedy that can invigorate the spirit and strengthen the body, help with brain blockage and relieve bad breath. Modern medical science does not argue with this; on the contrary, it significantly expands the list of diseases for which the benefits of lemon balm are obvious.

Lemon balm, also known as Melissa, is one of the main garden honey plants. In Greece, it was even nicknamed “bee grass.”

This wonderful herb is well known both in medicine and in cooking.

Description.

Melissa (Melissa) is a perennial plant. It belongs to the Lamiaceae family. The most famous species is Melissa officinalis, which we all plant in our plots.

Melissa leaves are very reminiscent of mint, and the flavor and aromatic properties of the plant are refreshingly lemony. Due to this, lemon balm is popularly called lemon balm. Although, of course, mint and lemon balm are two completely different plants, although they belong to the same family.

Melissa is also called: heart's delight, lady's happiness, bee mint, mother liquor, censer. And many people confuse it with catnip, even though catnip has smaller leaves.

Food application.

Melissa is most widely used as an aromatic additive to tea. But besides this, it is added to salads, first and second courses. And pickles with this spicy herb are simply delicious.

Lemon balm is also used in the food and alcoholic beverage industries.

Beneficial features.

They knew about the beneficial properties of lemon balm back in Ancient Rome. Then doctors recommended using this herb for “female pain,” constipation and insect bites. These are some very versatile recommendations.

Today, the antidepressant, sedative, antispasmodic, antiviral, bactericidal and immunomodulatory properties of lemon balm have been scientifically confirmed.
They are caused by the presence of such biologically active substances as citronellal, geraniol, citronellol and phenylpropanoids.

Moreover, lemon balm can be used by both adults and children.

Today, the pharmaceutical industry produces many drugs based on it, aimed primarily at suppressing neuroses, stress, and depression. I wouldn’t like to do advertising, but I’ll still remember a couple of medicines that are definitely known to you, such as Novo-Passit and Persen. Their main component is lemon balm.

Also, the spicy herb copes well with diseases of the cardiovascular system (tachyoarrhythmia, mild coronary heart disease, arterial hypertension), gastrointestinal diseases, and is even used in the complex treatment of diabetes.

We have already mentioned immunomodulatory and antiviral properties just above.
Growing.

Melissa is a very heat-loving plant. The most open areas with direct sunlight are for her. However, it is better if the place is still protected from wind and drafts.
Spicy grass grows in one place for 10 years or more. It practically does not require special care.

Before planting, it is better to fertilize the soil with compost or humus. Add ash (a couple of glasses to the garden bed). Add (literally a teaspoon per bed) superphosphate and potassium sulfate.
Plant the plants in pre-prepared holes at a distance of about 30 cm from each other.
Care is quite standard: watering (once a week), loosening + making sure that the young grass is not clogged by weeds.

Melissa has the best medicinal and flavoring properties before flowering. It is at this time, at the beginning of summer, that they begin to collect it. For the winter, lemon balm can be dried. But there is another way to ensure that fresh lemon balm is on your table even in cold weather - dig up a couple of bushes in the fall and transplant them into a pot that you can put on the window at home.

It is better to hill up the plants remaining in the garden bed for the winter.

Melissa propagates both by seeds and vegetatively: by cuttings or division. All methods are simple and accessible to ordinary summer residents. When propagating by seeds, it is better to prepare the seedlings before planting in open ground.

Glycemic index (GI) – 10.

Calorie content – ​​28 kcal.

Melissa is a herbaceous biennial plant of the Lamiaceae family. Homeland: Southeast Mediterranean. Since ancient times it has been famous for its taste and medicinal properties. It is a close relative of mint. It has a unique minty-lemon aroma, which is why it is often called lemon balm or lemon grass. It has more than five thousand subspecies. Distributed on all continents, in regions with temperate climates. It was cultivated on a large scale in the USSR. In central Russia, the harvest of greens lasts from June to September.

Beneficial features

The popularity of lemon balm is due to its rich composition. It contains proteins, fats, dietary fiber, carbohydrates, etc. A special place is occupied by essential oils, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, and stearins. Vitamins: PP, A, B1, B2, B6, B9, C, carotenoids.

Macro- and microelements: calcium, manganese, iron, zinc, potassium, copper, selenium, chromium, nickel, vanadium, etc. Organic acids: caffeic, ferulic, chlorogenic, salicylic, ursolic, apigenic, luteolic, phenolcarboxylic acids.

How it affects the body

Melissa is not only tasty, but also healthy. It has antiviral, diaphoretic and anti-inflammatory properties. It has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, helps fight depression, melancholy, chronic fatigue, and relieves nervous tension. Is a strong antioxidant. Increases physical and mental performance. Consuming lemon balm helps reduce blood pressure, remove excess fluid, relieve swelling, restore heart rate, and normalize sleep.

It has an analgesic, anticonvulsant and antispasmodic effect on blood vessels and internal organs. It has a positive effect on the condition of the skin, helps with neurodermatitis, acne, fungal infections, relieves inflammation and irritation from insect bites. Suppresses the tuberculosis bacillus. Stimulates the functioning of the immune system. Reduces exposure to toxins and radiation.

Melissa relieves problems with the gastrointestinal tract. Normalizes the functionality of the stomach, stimulates appetite, improves digestion, intestinal motility, eliminates constipation and flatulence.

Apigenin, which is part of lemon balm, has the ability to block the development of cancer cells, strengthens the walls of blood vessels and improves the permeability of the capillary system.

How to choose correctly

The quality of lemon balm can be determined by its appearance: intense color, absence of yellowed and dried leaves. If you rub the leaf with your fingers, a rich aroma appears.

Storage methods

Melissa does not keep fresh for long and requires quick processing. The best storage method is freezing. In this form, almost all the values ​​of the product are preserved for 4-6 months. Drying is popular, but in this form there is a partial loss of aroma and vitamins. Dried can be stored for 1 year.

What does it go with in cooking?

The delicate lemon aroma serves as an excellent flavoring additive in cocktails, compotes, sauces, salads, and various drinks, including alcoholic ones. Goes well with spices. Included in seasonings for meat, fish and poultry.

Healthy combination of products

The peculiarity of lemon balm is the dosage. Only 2-3 leaves are enough for beneficial effects. It is recommended by nutritionists for inclusion in weight loss programs, as it activates metabolic processes, stimulates intestinal motility, removes waste and toxins, calms the nervous system and eliminates “dietary stress.”

It is used as an additive in tea, fruit drinks, compote, and vegetable salads. Combines with cottage cheese, cheese, dairy products, eggs, fruits and vegetables. With herbs: marjoram, basil, oregano, mint.

Contraindications

Consuming lemon balm is not recommended for people with low blood pressure. Baths, tinctures and decoctions can aggravate skin inflammatory processes; they should not be used for acne, furunculosis, or pustular infections. Use with caution for people who require increased reaction and concentration, as well as when taking sedatives.

An overdose can cause muscle weakness, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, itching, and cramps.

Application in medicine and cosmetology

Melissa is successfully used to eliminate many health problems. The infusion is used to treat heart disease, atherosclerosis, neuralgia, anemia, and sexual dysfunction. Added to drinks to drain excess fluid and relieve swelling. Lotions relieve irritation and itching from insect bites.

Lemon balm is effective for fungal infections, acne, lichen, and dandruff. Externally used for herpes, gout, rheumatism, periodontal disease, toothache, and skin diseases. Lotions help with dermatological diseases, including seborrhea and eczema.

Melissa essential oil is an excellent antiseptic. Aromatherapy with this product helps with allergies, cleanses the lungs, activates the immune system, and treats viral infections. Oil baths are used for obesity; they also relieve pain, relieve inflammation in joints and muscle tension.

Lemon balm is considered a “female herb”: it normalizes ovarian activity, eliminates unpleasant symptoms during toxicosis and menstruation. Nursing mothers drink the infusion to increase milk production.

In cosmetology, lemon balm, due to its unique composition and the presence of essential oils, serves as a component of elite care products for sensitive, aging, oily and dry skin. Combination with different components gives different effects. At home, it is used to improve blood microcirculation, eliminate peeling, improve complexion, soften, moisturize, and heal small wounds.

You can prepare various remedies yourself:

L lotion for oily skin: 1 tbsp. l. alcohol is added per 100 ml of decoction.

ABOUT anti-aging mask: 3 tbsp. l. Grind the leaves to a pasty mass, add 2 tsp. honey and 2-3 drops of lemon juice. Apply for 15 minutes.

ABOUT anti-dandruff rinse: brew a handful of dried herbs 1 liter. boiling water This product eliminates excess greasiness.

M asca for strengthening hair: Chop 2 handfuls of fresh herbs, squeeze out the juice, combine with the yolk, dilute with 2 tbsp. l. water. Apply to hair roots for 30 minutes.

T invigorating lotion: 1 tbsp. l. leaves for 1 cup of boiling water, leave for 1 hour. To increase the effect, you can freeze and wipe your face with ice cubes.

Melissa, which is popularly called lemongrass or mint, has been successfully grown in our country for a long time. This plant has a wide range of beneficial uses. The healing properties of lemon balm allow it to be used in recipes for traditional medicine, cosmetology, and cooking. The crop is not actually mint. The plants are relatives of the Lamiaceae family, which is why they look so similar in the photo. Based on the opinions of experts and reviews from gardeners, the article contains a list of medicinal qualities and contraindications of lemon balm.

Description and biochemical composition of fragrant culture

This plant has many names: lemon balm, motherwort, honeypot, honey slipper. The Mediterranean is considered to be the birthplace of the herb. The culture has been known since the times of Ancient Greece. Over the centuries, its medicinal properties have repeatedly become the subject of research by scientists.

It grows well in the wild in southern regions with mild climates. Despite this, lemon balm is cold-resistant enough to be grown in the central region and other less warm places. The perennial winters normally without additional protection at low subzero temperatures. It can survive spring return frosts, having several unfolded leaves.

Melissa is a natural pharmacological ingredient with a wide range of properties. In addition, the leaves of the plant are used as a seasoning, natural flavoring and base for cosmetics. Of course, everyone knows the soothing tea with lemon balm. It is better to use fresh herbs, but properly dried raw materials retain the bulk of the nutrients.

As in mint, the main portion of valuable substances is found in lemon balm essential oils. In the green mass of a herbaceous plant, their share is large - about 0.8%. The substances that provide the characteristic aroma are terpenoids. They also determine the lion's share of the beneficial qualities of the honey cake.

• rosemary;
• lilac;
• vanillin;
• coffee shop;
• salicylic;
• ferulic, etc.

The biochemical composition of honeydew also includes flavonoids, resins, tannins, saponins, tannins, vitamins A, B and C. Minerals in micro and macro quantities: calcium, potassium, iron, copper, zinc, manganese, etc.

Attention! The energy value of mint is 44 kcal/100 g.

Useful properties of honey slipper

The key quality of lemon balm is its calming effect on the nervous system. In fact, this green is a natural antidepressant. Melissa will relieve headaches and activate brain activity. With regular courses of herbal medicine, the herb is a preventive remedy for neuralgia and migraines.

Melissa has a positive effect on the human body systems

Other medicinal qualities of mint can be divided into categories:

1. Gastrointestinal tract. Melissa will increase appetite, relieve spasms, improve digestive processes and gastric motility. Long-term use will help in the fight against flatulence, constipation, and ulcers.
2. Genitourinary system. Honeydew products are diuretics. This means that with their help you can remove excess fluid from the body and reduce swelling. An infusion of herbal leaves has a positive effect on the functioning of the genital organs.
3. The cardiovascular system. The herb has a beneficial effect on heart health and helps prevent anemia and atherosclerosis.
4. Injuries. Melissa is also used as an external remedy. Lotions made from it anesthetize insect bites.
5. Skin diseases. Liquid products and lotions based on mint help with acne, fungal infections, eczema, and shingles. Shampoos - for dandruff. Tinctures for rinsing moats - for herpes, diseases of the oral cavity, toothache.
6. Gout, rheumatism and similar ailments. In this case, compresses with lemon balm are used.
7. Female body. Lemon grass strengthens the immune system and normalizes life processes in a woman’s body. It helps with menstrual pain, during toxicosis, and increases lactation.

Lemon balm essential oil is a popular filler in aroma lamps. It has antibacterial and antiseptic effects. The ether not only smells great, but also cleanses the atmosphere of the room. A course of such aromatherapy is especially relevant if there is a sick person in the house.

Advice. Melissa essential oil also has an analgesic effect on internal organs. For joint pain and muscle inflammation, simply add a few drops of the product to a warm bath.

Contraindications of the plant. People's reviews about aromatic herbs

The main contraindication to consuming mint is an allergic reaction of the body. Due to the large number of essential oils and strong aroma, this is not that uncommon. Also, people suffering from arterial hypotension should not use lemon balm. The rest of the harm of lemon balm lies in its improper external use. If herbal medicines are applied or applied to damaged, festering skin, then the healing effect will be exactly the opposite.

Various sources also talk about the negative effect of lemon balm leaves on male potency, but this thesis has not been scientifically proven.