Melissa

MelissaofficinalisL.

This herb, which the Greeks call «Melissaphyllon»,
Our name is colloquially «barrocus», she's in front of everyone
Herbs, as they say, have earned the preference of bees.
Truly, you won’t find greater joy for them than her flower, - wrote Odo of Mena.

Indeed, translated from Greekmelissa means "melliferous." The Geponika, a Byzantine agricultural encyclopedia, states that lemon balm protects against bee stings. The ancient Greeks revered this herb as sacred; it was believed that it bestows immortality. One of the names of lemon balmabrotonon derived fromabrotes, which means “happiness, prosperity, splendor.” There is another meaning of this word - “grace, sophistication.” This plant has many healing properties. Perhaps for this reason, Walafrid Strabo said in the 10th century: “... the number of virtues of this plant is measured by the number of its leaves.”

The Greeks considered lemon balm a feminine herb. One of the popular names is “mother liquor”. A decoction of this plant was widely used in the treatment of female diseases.

The French used lemon balm as an effective remedy for baldness, as well as to restore former strength. Maybe that's why the British call lemon balmoldman- "Old man".

Makhzan-Ul-Adwiya wrote that lemon balm “strengthens the heart, brain, sensory organs, sharpens memory and intelligence, and is good for the stomach and liver... Rinsing your mouth with a decoction of lemon balm is useful for tooth damage.”

Paracelsus called this plant “the elixir of life” and stated: “The essence of lemon balm, served in wine every morning, will refresh your youth, strengthen your spirit and renew your weakening body.”

There is evidence that Avicenna used lemon balm as a tonic and “dispelling melancholy.” In the “Canon of Medical Science,” he writes about lemon balm’s ability to “invigorate and strengthen the heart, stop irregularities,” “help with brain blockages and eliminate bad breath.”

In Lithuanian folk medicine, an infusion of lemon balm and marjoram was drunk to strengthen memory. Sometimes lemon balm is called a “wardrobe plant” because its aroma repels moths.

The most detailed description of the properties of lemon balm can be found in Floridus:

And with various bites, the grass immediately helps, If the bite is immediately covered with grated grass; She also heals spider and wasp bites. Grated with salt, it pacifies the old goiter; In this way, they say, the seat heals ailments; A woman cleanses herself with its juice and boiled salt. Such a drink helps to dispel harmful bloating; If you drink a green decoction of the herb often, it helps those suffering from dysentery and stomach pain; it is also good for asthma and treats those suffering from shortness of breath; The decoction cleanses ulcers and provides relief to joints. Apply the herb with salt - this poultice heals dog bites; the decoction serves to cleanse menstruation; If you hold it in your mouth, it relieves toothache; Pliny said that the eyes will be cleared of the dark veil if they are anointed with the juice of the grass in combination with honey.

Medicinal properties

1. Used for the prevention and treatment of influenza, scarlet fever, asthma.
2. Improves digestion, stimulates appetite. Effective for flatulence and stomach neurosis. Anthelmintic.
3. Lowers blood pressure.
4. Prevents ischemia of the heart muscle. Effective for arrhythmia and cardiac neuroses.
5. Has a positive effect on varicose veins and phlebitis.
6. Stimulates the immune system, normalizes metabolism.
7. Reduces temperature.
8. It has a good effect on asthenia and anemia.
9. Harmonizes the function of the endocrine glands.
10. It is used to treat infertility, mastitis, menstrual irregularities, and menopausal disorders.
11. Painkiller for rheumatism, gout, toothache.
12. Prescribed for allergic skin diseases [eczema, neurodermatitis, itching, etc.], herpes zoster, pemphigus, herpes, warts, pustular skin diseases, bruises, erysipelas.
13. In folk medicine, it is used for heart pain, hypertension, tachycardia attacks, fainting, migraines, dizziness, insomnia, neuroses, asthma, anemia, shortness of breath, algomenorrhea, cholecystitis, atherosclerosis, epilepsy, cholelithiasis, sexual overstimulation, painful periods, to enhance lactation , as a digestive stimulant and diuretic.
14. Has an antispasmodic, anticonvulsant, sedative effect.
15. Helps with headaches of nervous origin, neurasthenia, epilepsy, hysteria, hypochondria, depression, excessive nervous excitement, stress, irritability, fear. Adaptogen.
16. Normalizes the functioning of the sebaceous glands, nourishes and rejuvenates the skin, tightens pores, restores the natural color of the lips. Recommended for the care of oily hair, eliminates dandruff.
17. Repels blood-sucking insects and softens the effects of bites.

Dosage

Externally: 2-3 k. per 10 ml of vegetable oil (massage).

Internally: 1 k. for 1 tsp. honey

Baths: 5-8 k.

For herpes: pure oil.

Compresses: 3-4 k. per 50 g of water.

Inhalations: 1 k. per 200 g of water.

Enrichment of cosmetics: 2-4 k. per 10 g of base.

Contraindications. Individual intolerance, low blood pressure, acute inflammation of the stomach, intestines, acute cough, pregnancy.

Note. The oil should not be used in hot weather, with severe thirst, or on an empty stomach. An overdose can cause lethargy, drowsiness, slow heart rate, and decreased blood pressure. Increasing the dose during inhalation can lead to chemical burns of the mucous membrane and hoarseness.