Lemon balm tincture 30ml (Melissa officinalis) ORGANIC GROW

Wonderful plant has a pleasant lemony scent and is a relative of lavender and sage. Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), balm, common balm, or balm mint, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the mint family Lamiaceae and native to south-central Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, Iran, and Central Asia, but now naturalized in the Americas and elsewhere.

It grows to a maximum height of 70–150 cm. The leaves have a mild lemon scent similar to mint. During summer, small white flowers full of nectar appear. It is not to be confused with bee balm (genus Monarda), although the white flowers attract bees, hence the genus Melissa (greek "honey bee").

The leaves are used as a herb, in teas, and also as a flavouring. The plant is used to attract bees for honey production. It is grown as an ornamental plant and for its oil (to use in perfumery). The tea of lemon balm, the essential oil, and the extract are used in traditional and alternative medicine, including aromatherapy. The plant has been cultivated at least since the 16th century, but research is still being conducted to establish the safety and effects of lemon balm.

Various lemon balm uses have been employed in traditional medicine, especially in European countries such as Austria. In fact, lemon balm is an ingredient in Carmelite water, an alcoholic extract beverage formulated in the 14th century that’s still for sale in Germany. It’s said to be useful in treating headaches and nerve pain.

Over 100 chemicals have been isolated from lemon balm and among these the most biologically active may be its aromatic oils: citral, citranella, linalod and geraniol, as well as these classes of compounds: flavonoids, phenolic acids, terpenes, roasmarinic acids and caffeic acids.

Lemon balm is one the few herbs that simultaneously has healing properties, has a pleasant scent, can be used for decorations or as a spice, has aromatic properties, makes honey and has an industrial application.

This plant has been used in medicinal purposes since the dawn of time.

Pliny recommended it for healing the eyes, St. Hildegard for joy, Paracelsus called it “elixir of life” and there are some records that lemon balm was Shakespeare's favorite plant.

The composition and pharmacology and potential uses of lemon balm have been extensively studied, especially with regard to its traditional uses.

Lemon balm contains eugenol, tannins, and terpenes. It also contains (+)-citronellal, 1-octen-3-ol, 10-α-cadinol, 3-octanol, 3-octanone, α-cubebene, α-humulene, β-bourbonene, caffeic acid, caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, catechin, chlorogenic acid, cis-3-hexenol, cis-ocimene, citral A, citral B, copaene, δ-cadinene, eugenyl acetate, γ-cadinene, geranial, geraniol, geranyl acetate, germacrene D, isogeranial, linalool, luteolin-7-glucoside, methylheptenone, neral, nerol, octyl benzoate, oleanolic acid, pomolic acid ((1R)-hydroxyursolic acid), protocatechuic acid, rhamnazin, rosmarinic acid, stachyose, succinic acid, thymol, trans-ocimene and ursolic acid. Lemon balm may contain traces of harmine.

Rosmarinic acid appears to be the most important active component, but the interaction of chemicals within lemon balm, and with chemicals in other herbs with which it has been commonly used in traditional medicines, is poorly understood. Lemon balm leaf contains roughly 36.5 ± 0.8 mg rosmarinic acid per gram.

Healing effects

Many researches have been conducted on the effects of lemon balm on stress, insomnia and anxiety and all studies confirmed its effectiveness. Melissa officinalis is a herb that has traditionally been used for a variety of cognitive purposes, most of which are centered around improving cognition and reducing stress and anxiety. It is said to calm the nerves and to relax the body.

In regards to its subjective cognitive effects, it appears to be effective in inducing calmness. This may also manifest itself in a negative manner as healthy persons who take Lemon Balm prior to a cognitive test appear to score worse than placebo on reaction time and memory formation (possibly related to sedation) while improving the quality of memories (amount of correct memories formed, rather than 'remembering' something that didn't happen). Only one study looked at contentment, but found no influence.

In combination with valerian it is equally effective as synthetic medicine triazole, but unlike the medicine, it has no side effects.

It is proven that lemon balm enhances concentration and our ability of solving textual and visual problems.

It is also considered that lemon balm, because of its oxidants that protect body cells from damages caused by oxidation, helps people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease to enhance their memory and concentration. ESCOP (European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy) has officially approved oral usage of lemon balm for stress, anxiety and nervousness treatment.

Furthermore, ESCOP recommends lemon balm for treating digestive problems such as cramps and for local treatment of herpes on lips.

Lemon balm has strong anti-viral properties, shortens disease duration and reduces relapse possibility.

Lemon balm essential oil has similar effect as the plant itself. It is highly regarded and very expensive so you should be careful not to buy fake lemon balm essential oil. It is used for massages and for alleviating herpes simplex.

Healing effects of lemon balm:

· helps with depression and stress

· reduces headaches

· enhances sleep

· helps with excessive performance of the thyroid gland

· reduces increased temperature

· alleviates pregnancy sickness and menstrual cramps

· helps with herpes simplex

· increases creativity and concentration