Lemon Balm: Melissa officinalis
Plant Family: Lamiaceae
Habitat & Ecological role:
Native to south and central Europe, the Mediterranean, Iran, and central Asia.
Lemon balm has naturalized to North America. Like other mint family plants, lemon balm is a pollinator plant.
Herbal Actions: Nervine anxiolytic, nervine antidepressant, nervine tonic, antimicrobial, carminative, cardiac tonic, diaphoretic, hepatic, hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, TSH antagonist, nootropic, volatile oil is antiviral.
Parts used: Leaves and flowers (aerial parts in leaf or flower). In flower, the plant will have the highest concentration of nervous system supporting compounds because the plant is synthesizing these to attract pollinators.
Forms: Infusion, tincture, glycerite, hydrosol.
Season: Summer
Taste/ Smell: Aromatic, astringent, pungent, sour.
Energetic Qualities: Cooling, drying, light, clear, slightly mobile.
Indications: Depression, anxiety, migraine, hypertension, heart palpitations, postpartum depression, indigestion, neuralgia, respiratory infections, liver deficiency, hyperglycemia, difficulty focusing, poor memory.
Body system affinities: Nervous, digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular, immune.
Key Points: Lemon balm is an approachable nervine herb, especially for nervous system dysfunction with underlying heavy/slow qualities such as depression. Interestingly, lemon balm is indicated specifically for people with nervous system dysfunction as well as cardiovascular heat (such as hypertension or heart palpitations). It is very uplifting, and is more of a general nervine to use than one for nighttime use for those who have too much light or mobile qualities. It would need to be balanced with plants that have heavy/slow qualities for someone with these.
Experience:
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