Lemon Balm Herb (Melissa officinalis)
The pungently lemon-scented flora of this herb gives it the general moniker of lemon balm. The foliage are wrinkled and formed like mint foliage, though larger in size. The petite, white flowers, that come into flower in summer, mature in dusters along a lean, angular stem. The plant has a spreading habit, rather like mint and the shallow roots are broad and entwined. It is so similar to mint that sometimes the only way to tell them apart is to rub the leaves and there the smell of lemons is very present.
Lemon Balm is resident to the high areas of Southern Europe and was used as one of the sanctified herbs in the shrine of Diana. Insects are regular guests to the nectar filled blossoms when in flower. The name of balm , from fragrant oil balsam, suggestive of the aromatic appeal. Beehives were by tradition rubbed with sweet-smelling herbs, chiefly balm foliage, to help keep the hive flourishing and to draw homing bees. Honey was very important in times past , not only as a food , that was easily preserved , but also for medicinal purposes. Herb gardens and bee-hives are often in the same places, and Thomas Hyll writes in 1579 that the hives should be placed near: “… the hearbe Baulme …and manye other sweete and wholesome floures.”
Plant in a protected spot somewhere there will be a little sun during the day. If the seedlings are developed in too wet and out of the sun a place, fungus may give some nuisance. Grubs and insects. If they occur, pepper the dampened flora with one of the more natural insect repellents
When drying balm for storing , cut the stalks to ground level ,as the flowers begin , and dry on airy racks in a shady location. They can also be tied all together in bunches and hung. Directly the leaves are dry, rub from their stalks and store them in sealed containers. Fresh balm may be picked in sprays, washed, wrapped , and put in the freezer. or put into ice cube trays with a little water, and frozen .
What is lemon balm used for?
Fresh or dried balm foliage go well in fruit or vegetable salads, milk puddings, and in soups. The lemon fragrance herb helps cooked vegetables. Balm makes n excellent seasoning for chicken, fish, lamb, or pork.
Chopped balm leaves may be added to stewed fruit. They are also delicious as a filling for sandwiches. Balm tea is particularly refreshing and reviving in the summer, even one leaf in the teapot with Indian tea will give a lift to both palate and spirits.
Lemon Balm leaves contain compounds which are highly cherished for their therapeutic properties, and were used in treating many ailments such as depression, nervous headache, poor memory, neuralgia, and high fevers. Lemon Balm tea is still used to help bring down high temperatures and to lower the effects of exhaustion and heat in hot weather. It was also used to help for senility.
It cleanses and perfumes the skin, and is used with other herbs in the bath . A lot more of the herb is needed in the bath to get the full effect. It is used as an infusion with verbena and other ingredients to make a natural cleansing cream. An infusion as a mouth wash sweetens the breath. It can be put into a cloth bag and placed in a pillow to help keep the pillow smelling sweet through the night and the morning.
