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Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Lemon balm is an attractive herb with yellow or variegated leaves smelling strongly of lemons. Is is a great addition to any garden since it is very attractive to bees. A tea made from the leaves is said to relieve tiredness, sooth headaches, and calm nerves.
Description
This vigorous plant will readily spread throughout the border. It reaches a height of 3 feet with a spread of 2 feet. The oval, almost heart-shaped leaves have slightly serrated edges and a pronounced network of veins; they can be up to 2½ inches across. The flowers, which bloom from mid- to late summer are small, white, and insignificant.
Cultivation
Seeds are slow to germinate and are so fine that they hardly need covering at all. An alternative method of propagation is to take cuttings in late spring and root them in water. Plant in warm, moist soil in a sunny location. Good sun and moisture are necessary for the production of essential oil and good fragrance. Cut back to soil level in the fall to encourage strong growth. The plant will not tolerate high humidity. Lemon Balm performs well in containers.
Culinary Uses
Use fresh leaves in salads and as a garnish for fish and other dishes. When candied, the leaves make attractive cake decorations. Chopped leaves can be added to fish and chicken dishes and sprinkled over fresh vegetables. Add the leaves to cooked dishes in the last few minutes. They can also be added to summer drinks and fruit salads, and make a good substitute for lemon peel in recipes.
Medicinal Use
Lemon balm is traditionally used to restore nerves. It helps relieve anxiety attacks, palpitations with nausea, mild insomnia and phobias. It combines well with peppermint to stimulate circulation, and can also be used for colds and flu.
Other Uses
An infusion of leaves makes a refreshing skin toner and can be used in rinse water for clothes. A stronger infusion makes a good rinse for oily hair. Use as a facial steam for dry skin. Dried leaves add a lemony scent to Potpourris.
Lemon balm
Melissa officinalis
Labiatae family Language and mythology The Roman scholar Pliny and the Greek physician Dioscorides both used lemon balm as a medicinal herb. In the 1600s, it was called 'hearts delight' by the Swiss physician Paracelsus. The American colonists used lemon balm, and it was noted in recipes from old Williamsburg. Also, Thomas Jefferson grew it in his garden at Monticello. Description This upright plant has hairy, square, branched stems. The somewhat hairy, lemon-scented leaves are opposite, ovate, toothed, and 1 to 3 inches long. The white, pale yellow, or rose flowers are about 1/2 inch long and two-lipped on axillary clusters. The fruit is a smooth nutlet. Plant type and hardiness Perennial; hardiness zones 4 to 5. Height and width Height 24 to 36 inches; width 24 inches. Light and soil Full sun, preferably with midday shade; moist, rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 7. Pests and disease Powdery mildew. Cultivation Start lemon balm from seeds, but do not cover the seeds with soil. Make sure the planting medium does not dry out while the seeds are germinating. Plants may be scrawny the first year. Companion planting No information available. Propagation method Seeds or division in spring and cuttings in spring or summer. Bloom time and color July to September; white, pale yellow, or rose. Harvesting Harvest before the plant flowers. Cut the entire plant about 2 inches above ground. Dry quickly or the leaves will turn black. Place on a wire rack to dry. Store in an airtight container. Herbal uses Aromatic, cosmetic, culinary, and medicinal.
The dried leaves scent potpourris. Lemon balm is used in a facial steam to clean the skin. It also is used in teas, beers, and wine and with fish, mushrooms, and soft cheeses. Fresh leaves are used in salads, marinades for vegetables, chicken salad, and poultry stuffings. It can be grown in containers. Lemon balm is said to have some medicinal qualities. Garden notes The flowers of this wide-spreading, bushy plant attract bees to the garden.
Lemon Balm
Other names: Melissa officinalis, Balm mint, bee balm, blue balm, cure-all, dropsy pant, garden balm, melissa, sweet balm
Parts Used:
Culinary uses: The lemon-scented leaves of lemon balm impart a lemon-mint flavor to soups, stews, custards, puddings, and cookies.
It can also be used in salad dressings and iced tea and fruit drinks. Crystallize fresh leaves to add to cakes and cold desserts.
Other uses: It is especially mild, and has often been used to treat colic in young children.
It also makes a flavorful and mildly sedative tea used for many children's ailmentsto aid and in opening the pores to reduce fevers produced by Flu or chest colds, as well as to settle the stomach of adults.
Balm has been used from time immemorial as a wound dressing, for it is rich in ozone and therefore strongly antiputrescent
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