Luscious lemon balm...

You can almost smell the lemon balm...

We grow lemon balm in raised beds. Its luscious green leaves have a distinctive lemony scent when rubbed, and if doing a tour, I always encourage people to do so!

I have experienced all types of weather this week - slapping on the sunscreen at the start, to having to wear my jumper and waterproofs by the end. This summer has wreaked havoc on the herbs, and this week in particular has highlighted the effects such inconsistent weather patterns have. Some herbs have thrived in all the rain, whilst others have really struggled, some are only starting to get going, whilst others have flowered early and already gone to seed.

Lemon balm overview and medicinal uses...

Latin name: Melissa officinalis
Family: Lamiaceae
Parts used: Leaves

Random facts:

• Lemon balm has had an historic use as an attractor of honey bees - In fact its latin name Melissa translates as bee in greek. It contains compounds that are found in worker bee's nasonov gland which help them communicate food sources and hive loaction. Bee keepers would plant it near their hives to make sure they would return.
• Its use dates back over 2000 years, recorded as early as 300 B.C in Theophrastus's Historia Plantarum
  
• In Europe, lemon balm was used as a strewing herb tossed onto floors, it was used as such in church pews right up to the 19th centuary.
  
• In Victorian flower arrangements lemon balm was added to signify memories, to cure, and as a warning to 'not misuse me'!
• It is considered a sacred herb in the temple of Roman goddess Diana, and in magical folklore it was carried to help the bearer find love.
• It is considered to be associated with the feminine, with moon and water, and most closely aligned with the the astrological constellation Cancer (as a Cancerian, this may explain why I love it so much!).

Medicinal actions: Anti-viral, carminative (calms digestive system), anxiolytic (reduces anxiety), sedative, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-oxidant.

Medicinal uses: Lemon balm is affectionatly known as the 'herbal hug' due to its abilities to calm and soothe, as well as to build up, uplift, and strengthen; it is an all round tonic. Lemon balm is high in vitamin C (immune boosting), as well as thiamine (vitamin B1 - supports nervous system, and mental function, and is essential for carbohydrate metabolism).

• Nervous system: Restlessness, excitability, nervous headaches or stomach, nausea due to nerves, anxiety, mild depression, insomnia, herpes & shingles (viruses which flare up in times of stress)
• Digestive system: Heartburn, indigestion, reflux, wind.
• Immune system: Colds, flu, fever, HIV-1
• Endocrine system: Graves' disease, hyperthyroidism *caution advised*
• A tincture or fresh leaves steeped as tea can be diluted in a little water and used as a mouth wash and gargle.
• Externally: Can be added to creams or balms and applied to cold sores, shingles, sores or bites. The leaves themselves can be rubbed onto exposed skin to repel mosquitos.

Habitat and cultivation: Lemon balm is relatively easy to grow, and to some, it is considered a weed as it self sows so readily. It can be grown straight in the ground or in a pot, is just as happy in full sun as it is in semi-shade, and loves moist free-draining soil.
You can propagate it by root division, or by soft wood cuttings in either spring or autumn, and also by layering - simply by laying a branch down along the ground and placing a stone on top of it. It is an easily adaptable plant indeed.

Harvest the leaves just before it flowers - this is when the plants energies are at their strongest. The top third of the stem is considered to have the most essential oils, where the plant is at its newest and freshest. Chop the stem and either hang to dry, or dry on trays, or strip off the leaves straight away if using fresh.

Lemon balm 'herbal hug' tea baths...

One of my favourite things, is having a bath. Particularly after a long day of manual labour in the garden. At this time of year, when I can harvest some of the herbs for myself, I use them in my baths as an added luxury.
As lemon balm has such calming properties, and helps with insomnia, it is the perfect thing to do before bed. The smell alone will soothe the senses and calm the mind.

• Use fresh leaves - and make a strong tea infusion at least half an hour before you run the bath. I use a tea pot with a strainer inside it and stuff it with as many leaves as I can.
• Alternatively add leaves to a pot of boiling water and simmer with the lid on, again for at least half an hour.
• Run bath, and strain your herbal tea into it at the end.
• Light some candles, switch off, and relax!

Go on to experiment by using other aromatic herbs such as rosemary, lavender (visually stunning as it makes the water go a purple-blue), sage, or mint. There are endless possibilities, examples include:

• Chamomile baths are great for over stimulated children
  
• Oats or marshmallow are perfect for itchy, irritated, damaged skin such as ezcema
  
• Grated ginger can be used for arthritic pain
• Calendula freshens and tones the skin

Herbal baths are an easy way to incorporate herbal medicine on regular basis, at a basic level; your skin as an organ absorbs the constituents of whatever herb you have chosen. Lemon balm is a beautifully delicious herb to get started on - particularly if you are a Cancerian - enjoy!