About the healing properties of such a plant as lemon balm, with an amazing delicate and characteristic aroma, knowledge has been transmitted for many centuries.
A close relative of mint, which has many different names, a very unpretentious plant that can always help cure many ailments at home.
Features of the composition of lemon balm and beneficial properties of the plant
Lemon grass is one of the most common medicines that can be found at hand in your garden. The many beneficial properties of the plant due to its rich in vitamins and useful elements. It includes:
flavonoids;
resins;
essential oils;
tannins;
rosemary, coffee acids;
bitterness;
vitamins C, D, group B;
micro and macro elements such as selenium, zinc, iron, potassium, nickel, calcium, copper, manganese, chromium, molybdenum, vanadium;
biologically active substances.
By the appearance of melissa, it is very similar to mint, plants belong to the same family. However, differences are present not only in the beneficial qualities of plants, but also in other characteristics:
1. The method of stem growth. In mint, the stem grows directly, while in lemon balm it has branches.
2. The aroma. The smell of mint is sharper, pronounced and resembles menthol. Melissa's aroma is softer, spicy, with lemon notes.
3. The flowering period. Melissa blooms with false rings, while mint inflorescences form in the form of an ear.
4. Areas of application. In medicine, plants can be used both for the treatment of the same diseases, and completely different. In cooking, melissa is a seasoning or spice, and mint is a strong flavor.
Medicinal qualities of lemon balm and useful properties
In folk medicine, lemon balm herb is used to combat such problems:
• cardiovascular disease. In the morning, lemon balm tea normalizes the activity of the system, normalizes blood circulation, relieves heart pain, eliminates shortness of breath and restores pressure. The benefits of lemon balm for the heart and blood vessels are enormous;
• diseases of the endocrine system. Melissa normalizes the endocrine system, metabolic processes in the body;
• colds and inflammations. With respiratory diseases, fever, flu, lemon balm is used. The plant is able to lower fever, has a diaphoretic effect and effectively fights colds. Suitable for the treatment of children from 3 years old;
• in gynecology. An important place belongs to melissa in this industry. Lemon grass is used for douching by women, in the form of infusions and decoctions. Melissa is able to alleviate the symptoms of PMS and relieve pain and discomfort during menstruation;
• toxicosis in pregnant women. For women in the position of lemon balm is not at all dangerous, if not too carried away by the plant. During breastfeeding, lemon balm improves the formation of new milk;
• diseases of the digestive tract. With diseases of the intestines, stomach (gastritis, ulcers), lemon balm is effective, it can also relieve constipation;
• painful sensations. Melissa acts as a good analgesic. It is able to relieve headaches, eliminate the effects of vascular diseases in the form of dizziness or fainting;
• in cosmetology. Thanks to the positive effects, lemon balm is actively used for hair, skin, dermatitis, rashes, acne and other diseases;
• disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system. Melissa has a calming effect, therefore, helps to cope with neurosis, stress, nervous tension, insomnia, relieves irritability;
• bad breath. In addition to him, lemon balm struggles with a number of other dental diseases;
• overweight. Do not shift all responsibility in matters of losing weight only to the plant, it acts only as an assistant. The main engines of excess weight are sports and proper nutrition.
Methods of preparing funds from lemon balm: useful properties in home medicine and cosmetology
The whole value of the plant lies in its leaves. To maximize the beneficial properties of lemon balm, you need to properly prepare a medicine from it. Most often, medicinal decoctions and infusions are made.
1. Infusion for internal use is prepared as follows:
• first chopped lemon grass leaves;
• then they are poured with boiling water in the proportion of 8 dessert spoons of raw materials to 1 glass of water;
• insist in a thermos for about 30 minutes;
• then filtered, and the infusion is ready for use.
2. Infusion for external influences in the form of poultices and the like can be prepared in a similar way, as well as with a 2-fold increase in the number of leaves.
3. A decoction of lemon mint leaves is prepared as follows:
• it is necessary to dry the leaves in advance and take 1 tbsp. l dry product;
• the mass is poured with 1 glass of boiling water;
• then in an open container, the mixture should be insisted for about 10 minutes;
• after which the broth needs to be filtered and can be consumed.
A decoction of lemon balm leaves can not be stored, it should be consumed immediately after preparation. If the mixture is reheated, the plant begins to lose its beneficial properties.
4. Tea with lemon balm is an excellent antiviral and antibacterial product. When brewing such tea, you can use both black and green varieties, adding fresh or dry lemon balm leaves to them. To get rid of colds, a mixture of green tea, lemon balm and honey is ideal.
Melissa has been used in folk medicine as a medicine and as a prophylactic for a very long time. According to observations, those people who regularly drink tea with lemon balm look stronger and feel healthier than their peers.
The use of lemon balm: lemon grass contraindications and possible harm to the body
Melissa has a lot of useful properties, it has long been used in folk medicine and is very effective. But there are lemon balm and contraindications, which you should definitely familiarize yourself with before use.
1. Melissa has soothing properties, which sometimes turn out to be out of place. Therefore, before you drive, you should not drink tea with lemon balm or use it in any other way. Because of the plant, you can lose vigilance or even fall asleep.
2. Young children under 3 years old should also not be given grass. Their fragile body can react differently to a plant.
3. Lemon grass is contraindicated for patients with epilepsy.
4. Each person may have an individual intolerance to a product. If there is an allergy to the plant, it should be discarded.
5. Has lemon balm contraindications in case of renal failure.
6. Do not use teas, decoctions or infusions of hypotension - people with low blood pressure.
7. Frequent use of lemon balm by men can cause them to decrease sexual activity.
In other cases, you can not be afraid to drink drinks based on lemon balm, without fear for your health. Even in small quantities, it has a positive effect on the body.
