Common Name:   Lemon Balm or Balm or Melissa

Latin Name:   Melissa officinalis

Annual/Perennial:   Perennial

Sun/Shade:   Shade to part Sun

Height/Width:   2 feet

Bloom Time:   harvest early summer to early fall

Zone:   4-8

Parts of Plant Used:   Leaves, Flowers, Stem, fresh and dried

Medicinal Benefits:   anti-inflamatory, antispasmodic, antimicrobial, antihormonal, antioxident, anti-inflamatory, colds, fevers, digestive issues children’s remedy, heart tonic, lowers blood pressure, relaxing tonic, mild sedative, cuts, scrapes, astringent, expectorant, dieuretic, immune system, insomnia, anxiety, nervous tension, nightmares, digestive, cold sores, aid to longevity, deters moths.

Ways to Use:   tea, tonic, cream, infused oil, infused wine (with honey and raisons), salve, salad, medicinal food

Recipes: Tea for Headaches – Equal parts Lemon Balm, Chamomile, Lavender flowers and leaves. 1 TBS combined to 8 ounces just under boiling, purified water. Steep 5-10 minutes. Strain and sweeten with honey if desired.

Tea Tonic – 1 tsp Lemon Balm leaves/flowers, 1 tsp Tulsi leaves/flowers, 1 small piece of ginger root chopped, 8 ounces just under boiling purified water. Steep for 5-10 minutes. Strain and sweeten with honey if desired.