Exploring the Benefits and Uses of Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinails)

This post explores the benefits and uses of lemon balm through traditional herbalism, modern research, and gentle nervous system support.

Description:

A perennial growing to 1.5m (5ft), with tiny white flowers

and deeply veined, toothed leaves.

Lemon Balm Leaves

Parts Used:

Aerial parts: are used in a variety of preperations.

Key Actions:

• Relaxant

• Anti-spasmodic

• Increases sweating

• Carminative

• Anti-viral

• Nerve tonic

Key Constituents:

• Volatile oils up to 0.02% (citral caryophyllene oxide,

  linalool and citronellal)

• Flavonoids

• Triterpenes

• Polyphenols

• Tannins

These effects are influenced by plant chemistry, which I explain more fully in Active Plant Constituents Explained. and Herbal Actions and Body Systems

Scientific Research:

• Volatile oil: German reserch shows that volatile oil particular citral and citronellal, calm the central nervous system, and are also strongly anti-spasmodic.

• Polyphenols: are anti-viral. In particular, they combat the herpes simplex virus, and was shown to reduce healing times by half.

• Thyroid: Lemon balm inhibits thyroid function, helpful for people with an overactive thyriod.

Traditional & Current Uses:

• Traditional uses: Lemon Balm has been taken to lift the spirits. taken regularly, it was beleived to encourage logevity,. Other uses include healing wounds, releiving palpatiations and relaxing the heart.

• Modern relaxing tonic: Lemon Balm is a relaxing tonic for anxiety, depression, restlessness and irribility. it reduces feeelings of nervousness and panic and may help quieten a racing heart. Lemon balm is also useful when anxiety is causing digestive problems, such as indegestion, acidity, nausea, bloating and colicky pains.

Other Uses:

• Cuts / Insect bites / Stings

• Anxiety / Depression / Tention

• Cold sores / Chicken pox / Shingles

• Flu, with Muscle aches / Pains

• Nausea due to emotional problems

• Stomach spasms

Simple Preperations and Dosage:

• Essential oil for shingles, add 5 drops to 1 tsp olive oil and

  gentle massage over painful areas.

• Infusion for nervous headaches and tention, drink 150ml, 3 times a day.

• Tincture for anxiety and mild depression, take ½ tsp with water, 3 times a day.

• Lotion / Ointment for cold sores, cuts and grazes, and insect bites and stings.

Safety:

• Generally safe for adults and children in food or tea amounts.

• Pregnant or breastfeeding people should consult a health professional before consuming large amounts.

• Topical use is usually fine, but may rarely cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

• Not a replacement for medical care for anxiety, sleep issues, or other conditions.

• Avoid excessive ingestion, especially concentrated extracts.

Magical Uses:

• Peace & calm spells

• Emotional healing rituals

• Self-love workings

• Harmony & home blessings

Lemon Balm Nervous System Reset:

• Brew lemon balm tea slowly.

• Hold the warm mug with both hands.

• Breathe in the scent. Let your shoulders drop.

• Say (aloud or in your head): “I am allowed to soften.”

• Drink with intention, noticing warmth move through your chest.

That’s it. No casting circles. No pressure. Just regulation as ritual.

This kind of gentle, non-performative ritual reflects the wider values of green witchcraft for tired people.

Plants work slowly.

Imperfectly.

Nature meets you exactly where you are!💚

Lemon Balm Herbal Tea

Explore more plant allies