Lemon balm: what it is for and what are its advantages to the body

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Easily found, whether in health food stores, supermarkets, grocery stores, handling pharmacies, or even home grown, lemon balm is widely used in the treatment of digestive problems, but its advantages do not stop there.

To tell you all about lemon balm, did we talk to Rodrigo Silveira, director and creator of Ervanarium? an online school of herbal medicine and natural health care.

Types of Lemon Balm

There may be some confusion around the nomenclature of this plant, as there are many herbs that are called "lemon balm", but they are not Melissa Officinalis, the herb we cover here.

Rodrigo Silveira also explains that Melissa Officinalis is related to mint: these two herbs are part of the same vegetable family, Lamiaceae.

With this information, do not forget: the lemon balm, so popular in our country, is Melissa Officianalis. To avoid any confusion, you can simply call it "melissa".

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Benefits of Lemon Balm

• Cardiac system: good for the heart, activating blood circulation;
• Gastrointestinal System: favors digestion, protecting the stomach and liver;
• Respiratory system: fights cough and is also an ally in the treatment of diseases such as asthma and bronchitis;
• Reproductive system: contributes to the female reproductive system, aiding, for example, menstrual pain;
• Nervous system: It can help in treating anxiety, nervous breakdowns and depression. It is also able to calm epilepsy symptoms.

Lemon balm can be indicated for different situations and its benefits really are many. Nevertheless, always remember to consult a doctor. Only a specialist can indicate the ideal treatment for your body.

Lemon balm tea

According to Rodrigo Silveira, lemon balm tea needs to be made with young leaves, harvested less than a year ago. After this time, the leaves significantly lose their medicinal properties.

The amount of tea indicated for daily consumption varies from person to person, according to each organism. The expert, however, explains that one measure that may be appropriate for most is to take a cup three times a day, preferably fasting.

However, do not forget: everything in excess is bad. So, in your routine, enjoy to consume other drinks, such as different types of teas and, of course, always drink water. Rodrigo Silveira then teaches a recipe:

How to make lemon balm tea

To guide the correct amount of lemon balm to be used in the drink, the director of Ervanarium suggests dividing the palm into four parts. Understanding this, let's go to the recipe for a cup of tea.

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Ingredients

• 1 quadrant of dried grass hand or 2 quadrants of fresh grass;
• Water

Method of preparation

1. Heat the water to 80ºC. To know when the water reaches this temperature, it happens as soon as the first little steam comes in the kettle.
2. Put the selected amount of the herb into a cup and add the hot water.
3. Soak for five minutes, strain and is ready to eat.
4. For best results, drink at most 15 minutes. If it is too hot, add an ice stone.

Some people wonder if tea needs to be sweetened. Well, if the drink is for medicinal purposes, it is preferable to avoid sweeteners of any kind. Rodrigo Silveira also points out that the lemon balm tea is very tasty and does not need any supplements to be enjoyed.

Questions about lemon balm

Do you still have any questions about lemon balm? Alright, you're in the right place! Here, we will present more information about this herb for you to enjoy all its advantages.

Are there any benefits wrongly attributed to lemon balm? According to the director of Ervanarium, the biggest confusion is related to its name. In fact, there are many herbs also called "lemon balm", but they are not Melissa Officinalis. Rodrigo Silveira also mentions lemongrass, which is actually a completely different plant, with distinct properties, but, with the similarity in the nomenclature, ends up causing doubt in some people.

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Are there contraindications for lemon balm? Lemon balm is a very safe herb, but it has, like almost all medicinal herbs, some contraindications. According to Rodrigo, it should be avoided in cases of low blood pressure or in people with hypothyroidism.It is not recommended for use in pregnancy, as some pregnant women may be sensitive to some of the herb's components. People with glaucoma should also avoid it, as it can interfere with the internal pressure of the eye.

What is the best way to consume to get the most out of your benefits? Each case requires a different type of consumption. The herb can be consumed in capsules, tincture or tea. Tea is the most affordable and relatively safe form (if of course you have the right plant in hand). But if you want to have a faster result, the best form of administration is in capsules. In the case of problems with spleen energy, difficulty in thinking or memory impairment, tincture consumption is recommended.

Is it true that lemon balm can contribute to weight loss? In a way, yes. Since lemon balm is an effective anxiolytic and digestive stimulant, it can favor weight loss as it can relieve the anxiety that often causes overeating (and repeatedly). Another point is that because this herb is able to improve digestion, it helps to process foods better. However, it is not a specific weight loss herb. It should be seen as a complement.

With all these guidelines, it is now easier for you to know when lemon balm can be an ally of your health.

More information about lemon balm

After checking a lot of information about the herb, how about watching two very interesting videos?

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Lemon balm for menstrual period and menopause

Among the many benefits cited in the video, nutritionist Patricia Leite highlights the advantage of consuming lemon balm tea in the menstrual period. Another point is that it can favor women who are going through menopause, especially on the emotional issue, as this herb calms down. The professional also talks about the importance of asking a doctor if the tea is released for consumption.

How to plant and grow lemon balm

This is a video for you thinking about having lemon balm at home. In this complete walkthrough on planting the herb, you will discover many tips and learn, for example, that lemon balm should be grown in a bright, but not in the direct sunlight.

So once you know all about lemon balm, did you want to drink your tea? With melissa, you can prepare an aromatic, tasty drink with many health benefits.

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