Melissa - medicinal properties and contraindications

Melissa is a perennial plant with a branched root system and a stem height of 20 to 75 cm. Its leaves contain 0.05% of essential oils, characterized by a delicate citrus aroma and spicy taste. The plant also has a high concentration of vitamin C, flavonoids and organic acids. Due to this, it is widely used in official and traditional medicine. What is the benefit of lemon balm for our body, and in which cases it should not be used?

Features of the collection and harvesting of lemon balm

To extract the maximum benefit from the plant, it must be properly collected and stored in the future. For medicinal purposes, lemon balm uses only shoots and young leaves until it starts to bloom. Therefore, the optimal time for its collection is during June. At this time, the plant is literally filled with juices and has the highest concentration of volatile and medicinal components. Melissa grows on the edges of mountain forests, on the banks of rivers and clean reservoirs. If possible, it can be easily planted on your own personal plot, as it can easily be wintered in open ground.

As for storage, then experts recommend adhering to the following rules:

• during drying, melissa should not be mixed with other medicinal herbs;
• it is better to store it in a tin can or wardrobe.

Useful properties of lemon balm

Melissa reminds mint in aroma and distant taste. It has a pleasant lemon aroma, which even in the composition of the herbal collection often dominates. Melissa leaves contain a large amount of saponins and tannins. Vitamins of group B, vitamin C, selenium, manganese, iron and potassium are just a small part of the trace elements present in the plant.

Most often, lemon balm is used as a natural sedative. This is the main area of ​​its application, since the plant has a pronounced relaxing effect on the body. Therefore, lemon balm tea is especially effective for neurosis, chronic stress, nervous overwork. Pediatricians recommend giving children fresh tea from lemon balm leaves at night. Allowed children's proportion for brewing - 1 tsp. dry raw materials per 250 ml of water.

Melissa flowers are useful for colic, poor digestion and unstable gastrointestinal tract. Its systematic intake contributes to the normalization of intestinal activity, liver, bile and pancreas. An infusion based on it is useful for irregular stools and stomach cramps, with increased gas formation and gastritis.

Melissa has also proven to be a good antiviral. Brewed according to the classical scheme, it enhances the immune response and strengthens the body during the fight against the disease. For these purposes, tea from lemon balm leaves goes well with blueberry, cranberry or lingonberry juice.

It can be brewed with high blood pressure, asthma, dizziness, skin diseases.

Lemon balm oil

In pharmacology, an extract of essential oil from lemon balm is widely used. It is used as the basis of ointments for rheumatic pains and in female preparations to stabilize the hormonal background during menopause. For those who suffer from insomnia, doctors recommend dropping lemon balm oil into the aroma lamp and inhaling its aroma. This ensures a sound and healthy sleep.

You can resort to natural lemon balm oil for cosmetic purposes.It relieves redness and effectively fights acne. It is used both in its pure form, lubricating a cotton pad, and in combination with other oils. Girls suffering from oily hair can solve this problem by enriching their shampoo with a few drops of lemon balm oil. It will improve the functioning of the sebaceous glands, make the hair obedient and add a natural, natural shine.

Tea with Melissa

Tea based on lemon balm leaves is an excellent stimulant of immunity. Its effectiveness in the fight against seasonal colds and bronchial diseases has been proven. It must be brewed in the same proportion as almost any other herb: one teaspoon in one glass of boiling water. To achieve the best effect, melissa is best combined with green tea (in equal proportions), linden and honey. If you don’t want the hassle of filtering tea, you can immediately buy a packaged version.

Contraindications lemon balm

Since this is a medicinal herb, it also has certain restrictions on the use. It is not worth drinking for people suffering from arterial hypotension (low blood pressure). Before use, it is also worthwhile to monitor whether there is an individual allergic reaction to the components that make up the lemon balm. Therefore, you need to start with small volumes.

Melissa brewing technology based on purpose

Depending on the problem, lemon balm can be used in the following ways:

1. For problems with falling asleep and increased irritability, it is necessary to make a napar based on young lemon balm leaves. For 1 liter of boiling water, you need to take 15-20 g of dry raw materials, mix and leave to infuse for 20 minutes. It is advisable to drink the resulting infusion overnight, 1 glass each. If you wish, you can add a spoonful of honey to it.
2. In case of migraine, the following proportion is used: 1 tbsp. dry and chopped lemon balm leaves fill with a standard glass of hot water (up to 95 ° C). Leave the infusion for 1 hour. The optimal dosage is ½ cup before each meal.
3. For the treatment of bruises and rheumatism at home, you can use the following recipe: 2 tbsp. pour lemon balm leaves 250 ml of boiling water, cover the container with a lid, remove infuse for 45 minutes. The resulting vapor must be filtered and used for compresses on problem areas.
4. In diseases of the gums and toothache, an infusion of melissa leaves and tops is used. It is enough to take 1 tbsp. all components of the plant and pour them with boiling water (250 ml is enough). Set aside, wrapping, for 1 hour, then strain. Rinse your mouth with the product several times a day.
5. From an unstable menstrual cycle, naturopaths recommend the following version of the infusion. 15 g of dry and chopped herbs need to pour 180 g of strong boiling water. The maximum infusion time is 1 hour. Such a steam can be used in the form of tea or warm baths.

Slimming with Melissa

Another area in which this medicinal herb has successfully established itself is proper nutrition. It is low-calorie - only 45 kcal per 100 g. Tea or infusion of lemon balm in combination with wholesome food will help in the fight against extra pounds, since it “accelerates” metabolism. It also contributes to the gentle cleansing of the intestines, preventing constipation. And due to the fact that lemon balm has a sedative effect on the nervous system, people do not break down, overeating harmful food.

How to prepare an infusion of lemon balm for the purpose of losing weight? We take 10 g of crushed grass and fill it with 1 glass of boiling water. Brew for an hour and filter. Drink a drink half an hour before a meal of 70-100 ml (approximately half a glass). It is advisable not to prepare tea for the whole day.

You can enhance the effect of the drink by adding honey, ginger or mint to it.

Another option for eating lemon balm on a diet is a nutritious cocktail.To prepare it, you will need two fresh cucumbers, cut into small cubes, and a bunch of chopped lemon balm leaves. Mix the ingredients and fill them with 500 ml of nonfat yogurt. This is a great alternative to a snack or a light summer dinner.

A tonic drink based on lemon balm leaves will appeal to those who are looking for an affordable and safe way to increase their performance. Mix 10 g of thyme, lemon balm and blackberry leaves, 3-5 rose hips and a handful of calendula. Take 20 g of the collection and fill it with 300 ml of boiling water. Let him insist for at least one hour. Nutritionists recommend drinking up to 70-100 ml of infusion 2-3 times a day.

External application of lemon balm leaves

The unique effect of lemon balm on the body is not limited only to its use in the form of steam. It is also effective in combating skin rashes, inflammation of tissues and muscles. For these purposes, it must be brewed in the following proportion: 4 tbsp. dried herbs per 1 liter of boiling water. Napar should be infused for an hour, after which they can soak a bandage or gauze and attach to the problem area. It works very well in the fight against irritations on the face. Only for processing small areas it is better to use cotton pads.

In case of skin ulcers, polyarthritis or joint pains, you need to grind the lemon balm leaves to a state of small crumbs. Pour them with boiling water (20 g of leaves - a glass of water), leave to insist, cool and apply exactly the pulp to the body.

Many times enhances the effectiveness of lemon balm and ordinary alcohol. This tincture is used for rubbing or as a stimulant of immunity. To prepare such a universal remedy, you need 50 g of fresh lemon balm leaves and 250 ml of alcohol or vodka. Dry raw materials need to be crushed in a blender or grind in a mortar, put in a glass jar, pour alcohol and cover. Then remove to a dark place for 3 weeks. Alcohol tincture is consumed by 15 drops before each full meal.

Melissa can be grown on window sills, planted in the garden or harvested in environmentally friendly foxes. Well, or just buy at the pharmacy. It has been established that people who like lemon balm tea have a fresh complexion and are easier to tolerate daily psychological stress. They have stronger immunity and the entire digestive tract works more smoothly. Melissa is especially useful for the elderly and hyperactive children.

Video: beneficial properties of lemon balm