Part of the mint family of herbs, lemon balm is widely grown in southern Europe, northern Africa and western Asia. The characteristics of the herb include the fact that it has a rather strong lemon mint smell and flavor. The lemon balm shrub grows up to a height of about 2 feet tall and will hold some rather pale looking yellow flowers. The optimum growing conditions require the plant to be grown in soil that has a pH value of 7 as well as partial shade. Lemon balm is known by a number of different names all around the world as well as localities. Some of the more famous names by which it is known by include Dropsy Plant, balm, Honey Plant, Sweet balm, Sweet Mary and Melissae Officinale.
The part used of the lemon balm plant is essentially the leaf as well as the essential oil that is extracted. The essential oil, which is its most pried asset, plays a huge role in soothing the body as well as skin and nerves around the area on which it is applied. Surveys have shown that lemon balm is the most widely used herb outside of the United States of America and is regularly used for its medicinal benefits. The lemon balm benefits on a medicinal scale include the fact that the calming effects of the extract help significantly in dealing with anxiety, sleep problems, vomiting as well as menstrual cramps, headaches, toothaches and mental disorders such as melancholia and hysteria. There are a number of uses of lemon balm in the cosmetics industry because of the skin cleansing properties of the oil. Applying some amount of lemon balm gel on your face before performing a steam facial is known to have some of the most effective results. As mentioned earlier, the use of lemon balm is abundant in therapeutic treatments with the oil regularly used when nervous tension as well as aromatherapy is performed. Among the more basic medical treatment options, lemon balm is also known to be very effective when it comes to dealing with the herpes simplex virus, sores, painful swellings and in a compress when treating gout. Ongoing research also seems to suggest that, when used in combination with common sage, lemon balm is known to have a positive effect on an improving memory.
Other uses of lemon balm include the fact that it is regularly used as a flavoring in a number of food and beverage preparations. The root factor in the healing properties of lemon balm is considered to be the chemicals that cause it to act like a sedative. Its antiviral properties also help it contribute to the human body’s ability to fight off infections internally.
With regards to the overall safety of use of lemon balm as well as the precautions that you might need t take, not enough information is available with regards to the impact of lemon balm when used by breastfeeding or pregnant women. However, experts suggest that you avoid usage of the oil in case it adversely affects the growth and development of the child. With regards to topical application of the ointment, the effects are likely to be felt immediately while, for treatment with nervous system complications a good tincture that is taken in dosage of about three times a day is likely to prove beneficial. Post surgery treatment guidelines warn individuals of the fact that combining lemon balm with other forms of medication is likely to cause drowsiness and any usage of the oil should be stopped at least two weeks in advance of the scheduled surgery.