by Tamara Mctee—Chartered Herbalist

Melissa officinalis, more commonly known as lemon balm, balm mint, cure all or gentle balm, has excellent results soothing all different kinds of nervous problems. Lemon balm lowers the blood pressure by toning the heart and circulatory system, calms palpitations of the heart and anxiousness, chasing away the black clouds of obsession and neurosis. It soothes nervous headaches and strengthens the memory, a blessing for those of us who tend to be absent-minded.

Lovely lemon balm is a safe herb to use during pregnancy, nursing, and for babies and young children. While pregnant, if you experience dizzy spells or headaches, relax, put your feet up, and drink a nice warm cup of lemon balm tea. This herb is also pleasant as a belly balm or oil.

Use lemon balm for chest colds, take hot for flu. Eases stomach and intestinal cramps, curbs flatulence – try chewing a fresh piece of lemon balm before or after a meal. Ladies – to relieve menstrual cramps or to bring on your period add a couple of handfuls of lemon balm to a nice hot bath.

Asthma sufferers rejoice – add mullein leaves, comfrey root, and lemon balm to hot water and infuse for 10 minutes for an attack-soothing tea. Sometimes it helps to repeat the mantra “Ahhhhhhhh!” while you wait for your tea – it helps open up the airways.
Melissa contains sedative oils, so parents may want to try giving some leaf for chewing to a high-strung child, or serving lemon balm iced tea at the next big birthday party. Lemon balm, chamomile and lavender flowers make a nice bed time blend for insomniacs. For a pillow to promote sleep, collect enough lemon balm leaves, mix in some lavender flowers and stuffing for softness, and voila – sleepy-time pillow is ready!
When used in an ointment lemon balm can ease rheumatic pains, heal bug bites, bruises, and sores. Now you can see why this herb is sometimes called a cure all.

The early fall is a great time to harvest lemon balm. Collect before or after flowering, after the morning dew has dried. Lemon balm is superior when used fresh so use it while it’s here and save what you can for the winter blues. Try lemon balm in the kitchen to flavour soups, cakes, and puddings.

To make a hot tea: steep 2 tablespoons of ripped up or chopped leaves per cup of boiling water. Cover and let steep for 10 minutes or longer.

To make a cold extract: use same ratio of leaves to cold water, cover, and let stand for 8 hours.
Relax and let lemon balm lift your spirits.