Do you think adding another herb to your garden? Lemon balm can be a perfect choice. It smells good, attracts beneficial bees and repels mosquitoes, and it has been used in medicine since ancient times to treat various ailments. Lemon balm contains the powerful antioxidants ferulic acid, caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid and quercetin. And, its antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties have been found to effectively treat inflammation.
It is part of the mint family and it’s easy to grow just like mint. This prolific herb is known to spread and invade a garden bed, so it is best suited for growing in pots or in its own raised bed.
Keep reading to know how does this simple herb can help you maintain your health.
Healthy Reasons To Grow Lemon Balm
- Heals minor wounds and skin disorders. It stops infections, treats minor cuts, acne, and eczema.
- It relieves pain and swelling of insect bites. When you have an insect bite or bee sting, take a lemon balm plant. To release the beneficial oil from the plant, crush or chew a leaf or two, and apply directly to the affected area to relieve pain and reduce swelling. No plants on hand? Apply a drop of lemon balm extract or essential oil mixed with almond oil directly on the bee sting.
- Treats cold sores. Lemon balm reduces swelling, relieve discomfort and cure cold sores. Dilute one or two drops of essential oil (or extract) in ¼ teaspoon of jojoba or almond oil, and apply directly to the affected area. Or prepare a strong tea using it. Once cooled, drain the leaves. Apply a cotton swab soaked in tea on the affected area.
- Soothes sore muscles. Relieves tired muscles, soothes nerves and nourishes the skin with the scented aroma of lemon balm in an Epsom salt bath.
- Mosquito repellent! Prevent mosquitoes from pricking while working in the yard or spending time outdoors. Crush several lemon balm leaves and rub on exposed skin.
- Improves alertness, eases anxiety and elevates mood. Improve your mood and mental focus by crushing lemon balm leaves and rubbing them locally behind the ears and wrists.
- Regulates blood sugar. Lemon balm contains antioxidants that help balance and neutralize sugar levels in the blood, which makes it a good way to prevent diabetes.
- Protects the brain. The antioxidants in lemon balm improve the healthy brain cells and protect them against free-radical damage.
- Supports the liver. Lemon balm prevents liver damage while enhancing liver metabolism and function.
- Lowers blood pressure. Lemon balm has been found to reduce high blood pressure.
