Herbal Profile: Lemon Balm

“Lemon Balm causes the mind and heart to become merry” — Seraphio

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) is one of the go-to herbs in our house. We grow it; we cook with it; we use it in household tasks and as a key ingredient in our favorite summer treats.

Identification

Lemon Balm is in the mint family, so its square stem is pretty familiar to most gardeners. You can spot its scalloped heart-shaped leaves peaking out of herb gardens and along trails. This perennial is a favorite for herbalists but can also be found naturally growing throughout most of the world; having been naturalized to many places, it was not found initially.

Culinary

Lemon Balm is most commonly used in teas, infusions, and decoctions, but its delicious culinary uses do not stop there. We love to include lemon balm in our smoothies, salads, and our favorite herbal Popsicles in the summer. Lemon, Lemon Balm, and Lavender infused and frozen into a cold treat is a great way to beat the heat and bring some relaxation to your day.

Household

Lemon Balm works as a beautiful bug repellent, and we even dip cotton balls in a strong infusion of it to place anywhere ants are trying to gather inside. Lemon Balm soap is citrusy and refreshing, and a tonic infused with Lemon Balm is sure to alleviate any acne concerns.

Medicinal

For centuries people, especially in the Mediterranean region, relied on the healing found in Lemon Balm. Lemon Balm is a lovely antiviral helping with colds and flu but is also helpful for the herpes virus and shingles. The antibacterial and anti-fungal properties make it terrific as a cleaning product and to ward off illness within the body.

Gastrointestinal distress can be soothed with a nice warm cup of tea. We use Lemon Balm most often to aid with anxiety, attention-deficit concerns, and clear thinking. Lemon Balm brings the intensity of anxiety down, so you can more clearly see things and face them with a clear mind and heart. This makes Lemon Balm an indispensable herb for people with a history of trauma.

Magickal

Lemon Balm is a great tool to add to any love attraction spell work you may be doing. Love spells should never be done without the consent of all parties involved.

Spend some time this month getting to know Lemon Balm. Get out there, get wild, heal.