DRINK LEMON BALM TEA DAILY FOR LONGEVITY

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a perennial herb associated with the mint family and is considered a calming herb. The plant grows to 70-150 cm tall and the leaves have a gentle lemon scent related to mint. At the end of summer little white flowers appear that are full of nectar, its sensory qualities are refreshing, like lemon or lemon grass as well as lemon myrtle. This plant can tolerate direct sunlight but is more succulent when grown in the shade.

Native to Europe, lemon balm is grown all over the world. Used in the Middle Ages to reduce stress and anxiety, improve appetite and promote sleep as well as ease the pain associated with digestion. Lemon balm is quite often combined with other calming and soothing herbs like chamomile, valerian, and hops, which enhances a relaxing effect.

Used as a repellent for mosquitoes, the crushed leaves of lemon balm are rubbed onto the skin. Medicinally as an herbal tea it has antibacterial and antiviral properties and is used as a mild sedative or calming agent. As an essential oil, lemon balm is regarded quite high in aromatherapy.

Discover the benefits of this essential oil called Lemon Balm.

To store and prepare lemon balm the fresh leaves can be placed in plastic bags in the fridge for a few days or may be frozen. Avoid exposure to heat or light when drying the leaves, these can be stored in air tight containers. As with all herbs, they lose some of their flavour when dried. To make a lemon balm tea, (you can use either fresh or dried leaves of the plant) place 1 tablespoon of dried leaves, and two tablespoons of fresh leaves for each cup of boiling water, once strained add honey and/or lemon.

The benefits of lemon balm alleviates stomach gas and cramps as well as having an antispasmodic effect on the stomach and intestines. It is also known to relax the blood vessels which help to reduce blood pressure. Lemon balm particularly aids in nervous problems that arise from long term stress and anxiety associated with headaches, sluggishness, confusion, exhaustion and depression. Lemon balm also aids in longevity of life if drunk daily (records show where John Hussey of Sydenham lived to 116 and in that time he drank daily lemon balm tea with honey for 50 years). Balm is said to mean fragrant; soothe and heal, and to lessen the pain.

For troubled sleepers, lemon balm is one of a handful of calming and relaxing herbs that will allow you to fall asleep faster. Others are passionflower, skullcap, chamomile, hops, and valerian. Lemon balm is quite useful if you have cold sores, place an ice pack on the effected area for 10 to 15 minutes, then pat the area dry and apply lemon balm ointment quite thickly. Lemon balm tea can help fight the varicella zoster virus behind shingles, you can either drink the tea or use a cotton ball to dab it directly onto the affected area. This plant can be easily grown in our own backyards, it is easy to prepare and use, the many benefits and advantages of this herb is incredible, this wonderful plant and herb is called lemon balm.

Get the advantages of this wonderful Lemon Balm herb