Melissa officinalis.

Melissa officinalis: properties and applications

Melissa officinalis, or lemon balm, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Lamiaceae family, which can reach a height of 50 to 120 cm. The plant has a strongly branching rhizome and an erect, tetrahedral stem with a lemon scent. The lower side shoots of lemon balm are creeping, and the leaves are opposite, petiolate, ovate, with crenate-toothed edges. Melissa blooms from June to November, and its flowers are small, white, yellowish or pinkish, located in the axils of the upper leaves. The fruit of the plant is four light brown nuts.

Melissa officinalis is widespread in the Caucasus, Crimea, Central Asia and the southern regions of the European part of the USSR. The plant prefers damp, shady gorges, forest edges and weedy places. In cultivation, lemon balm has been known since ancient times and is grown in one place for 3 to 5 years. To propagate lemon balm, use seeds, seedlings, dividing a bush or old rhizomes.

Melissa officinalis is used in cooking, perfumery and medicine. Young leaves and shoots of lemon balm, cut before flowering, are used in cooking, fresh and dried, and also as a seasoning for salads, soups, game, fish dishes and mushrooms, for flavoring drinks, and pickling cucumbers and tomatoes. Melissa essential oil is valued in perfumery for its lemon aroma.

Melissa leaves serve as medicinal raw materials. They are collected before flowering, and after each cutting of the leaves the plants are fed. Raw leaves are dried in the shade or in a dryer at a temperature of 35°C and stored in glass or wooden containers for 2 years. Melissa essential oil is extracted from fresh leaves and stems. It contains citral, citronellal, myrcene and geranol, as well as ascorbic, caffeic, oleanic and ursolic acids and tannins. Melissa seeds contain a fatty oil that is used only in scientific medicine. It is low toxic and has a calming effect.

Melissa infusion helps reduce the number of heart contractions, lower blood pressure, relieves spasms of smooth muscles, stimulates appetite, eliminates vomiting, improves digestion and relieves stomach pain. Melissa also has a calming effect on the central nervous system and helps cope with nervous disorders, insomnia, headaches, anxiety, irritability and depression. It can also help with flu, colds, coughs, asthma, bronchitis, migraines, rheumatism, arthritis and other diseases.

To prepare lemon balm infusion, you need to take 2 tablespoons of dry lemon balm leaves and pour 500 ml of boiling water. Then the infusion should be left for 10-15 minutes and strained. The finished infusion can be taken orally, 1/3 cup 3 times a day before meals. Melissa can also be used as an essential oil by adding a few drops to a bath or applying to the skin during a massage.

It is not recommended to consume lemon balm in large quantities, as it can cause dizziness, nausea, vomiting and allergic reactions. Also, you should not use lemon balm during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as if you are individually intolerant to the plant. Before using lemon balm for medicinal purposes, you should consult your doctor.