A really good herb organic for your home herb garden is Lemon Balm (Melissa Officinalis).  This  great tasting herb has a long history and many medicinal benefits.

Introduction

Way back in the time of Greek mythology, lemon balm was a sacred herb in the Temple of Artemis/Diana     The herb was appreciated by the ancient beekeepers because it kept honey bees happy thus increasing the production of honey.

Lemon balm originated in southern Europe and northern Africa over 2000 years ago, areas where human population has existed for many centuries.   It became a much used herb for diverse medical conditions.   The Arabs valued the herb and used herbal infusion tea for anxiety and depression and a compress of leaves was applied to scorpion stings, insect bites and mad-dog bites.

It appears that in the Middles Ages  (about 1000 years ago) lemon balm was used heal wounds, to help with tension and anxiety, and to soothe toothache,  Topically it was used for skin eruptions.  A tea made from lemon balm leaves is said to soothe menstrual cramps and helps relieve PMS and help with pregnancy nausea.    It was even thought  to prevent baldness and ensure longevity.

Shakespeare talks about it being used as  a strewing herb.  The  herb was scattered around a room to impart its perfume making it one of the earliest air fresheners.    Chairs were rubbed with the leaves to perfume them.

Lemon balm is also known as Melissa which means honey bee in Greek.  It was common hundreds of years ago to rub the leaves on bee hives.  This  was attractive to bees so it encouraged a swarm to occupy an empty hive, and generally made sure that bees  returned to their hives.

In the Kitchen

Lemon balm today has many uses in the kitchen.   It makes a wonderful herbal infusion tea and can be prepared in minutes.   All it takes is a couple of spoonful’s of chopped fresh herbs per cup of boiling water.  Pour the water over the leaves and leave them to steep until the color has changed.   Don’t leave the infusion for too long otherwise it has a tendency to become bitter.  Honey or lemon can be added.

The herb can be added to almost anything you can think of.   It adds flavor to cooked dishes such as egg dishes, curries, soups casseroles, vegetables, meat, fish and chicken and goes well when used raw in fruit salads, green salads, herb butters, fruit drinks, sorbets and ice-creams. Lemon balm tends to work better if it is added at the end of the cooking.  It is used also for stuffings, sauces and marinades.  Try it out with everything. Its mild lemony taste adds a tang to food. Oh, and use it too as a garnish.

This herb  works well with different herbs.  Try it with chervil, basil, chives, parsley, mint, dill,allspice, bay leaves, rosemary or thyme.

The leaves are the only part of the plant that is used.  They should be harvested before flowering for optimum flavor and fragrance. When harvesting cut the branch back to about 15 inches (37.5 cm) in mid to late afternoon and then tie the branches together and leave them  to dry upside down out of direct sunlight in a well ventilated area.  When the leaves are dry, store them in airtight containers in a dry place.  Alternatively the fresh leaves can be put in plastic bags in the refrigerator.  Lastly the leaves can be kept in the freezer.  You could make herb ice cubes.   At the end of the season cut the plant back and encourage it to rest.

Medicine Herb

As a medicine  herb, lemon balm has attracted a good deal of research.    It is  effective in dealing with functional problems of digestion such as bloating or gas or indigestion.  Again the herbal infusion tea is all that is required.

There is scientific evidence  that lemon balm is wonderful for tension and anxiety.  It has a calming effect which changes the mood and it is known to have  a beneficial effect on mild depression.   It is used as an insomnia remedy, possibly in conjunction with other herbs.  As tension and anxiety are often associated with many physical conditions, such as migraine, digestive upsets and interrupted sleep patters, the effect of lemon balm helps alleviate these conditions in two ways.

Still on the subject of mental effects, research has been done on the effect of the herb on memory concentration and recall with some interesting results including school boys performing better on tests after drinking lemon balm tea.

Another area where lemon balm can help is with problems of the thyroid where it seems to block over excitement and over stimulation.   It appears to be helpful for Alzheimer’s patients and dementia patients in calming them down when necessary.

It is also considered that lemon balm is helpful in lowering blood pressure and helping the circulatory system.

Lemon balm is  valued as an essential oil for aromatherapy.  It can be applied to sores and will heal wounds and relieve the sting of insect bites.

Growing Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is easy to grow, in fact in certain areas it grows prolifically and may need to be contained.  It prefers a well drained good soil and must be watered regularly as if the roots dry out it could die.  This is essential to remember if growing it indoors.

It does well in the garden. However in colder areas may tend to die back in winter and resurface in spring.   It is a good idea to pot part of the plant in autumn and bring it into the house where there is more warmth as although it is a perennial it will not grow in very cold conditions.  Outdoors,  it may need mulching in winter to protect the roots.

Lemon balm, although native to Europe, is now grown all over the world.  The plant grows up to 2 feet in height, sometimes higher if not maintained. Its height seems to vary according to the area where it is grown.  Lemon balm is a perennial herb in the mint family Lamiaceae.

It grows in clumps and spreads vegetatively as well as by seed.    It can be propagated from stem cuttings or from root division.   Pinching off flowers, or dead heading will help to prevent unwanted propagation and also strengthen the leaves. Lemon balm requires a consistently moist soil. Do not let the soil dry out on the other hand do not over water the plants. This applies especially to indoor plants.

The plant flowers either at the end of summer when it produces some small white flowers which attract honeybees or from May to October.  The seeds are slow to germinate and need to be sown in autumn for spring plants. They should not be covered when they are planted.
This plant is used to self seeding.

In cooler areas lemon balm prefers full sun but it can tolerate some shade.  In very dry climates it needs at least partial shade to grow well.    The plant does not benefit from too much fertiliser.  The leaves will grow bigger but the flavor will be sacrificed.

It can be grown indoors where it will require light and 70º F (21ºC) to germinate. According to the light you receive you may need to use grow lighting as well.   If planting from seed do not cover them.  You can use soil less potting mixes such as  perlite, vermiculite, rockwool, coco peat or oasis foam.   A good tip is to have an oscillating fan gently stir seedlings for at least 2 hours per day to stimulate shorter, sturdier, and more natural plant habit.

Lemon balm is a herb that should come under the heading of “essential herbs” in your home herb garden.   It  is easy to grow and provides   remedies for so many day to day health inconveniences.

Good herbs gardening!

* Disclaimer: Information on Home Herb Garden about various medicinal uses of herbs is provided for your enlightenment, entertainment and education only.  Please do not use these herbs without expert advice from properly qualified personnel.   See my full disclaimer for more information.