Melissa
Certain plants have the ability to promote intestinal well-being or even improve sleep . This is the case of lemon balm, which has these two capacities and whose benefits have been known for more than 2,000 years! It has in fact acquired its reputation over the years, thanks to its soothing effects on the digestive system and the nervous system.
Focus on this aromatic plant with multiple virtues as well as its daily use.
What is lemon balm?
Did you know that it was Hippocrates, the figure of ancient medicine, who was one of the first to recognize the healing properties of lemon balm?
Lemon balm is a plant imported to Europe since Antiquity. It is part of the botanical genus Melissa, a Greek term meaning “ bee leaf ”. Indeed, lemon balm is well known for its melliferous use . Beekeepers use it to attract spontaneous foraging bees, because they use it to make a specific nectar.
This plant, native to the Mediterranean basin, is very widespread in France. It grows wild in nature and some of its plants can reach 80 centimeters in height. Its leaves resemble those of mint and have a sweet lemony scent reminiscent of lemongrass.
On the health side, lemon balm is widely used as an infusion because of its powerful antiviral properties. For example, it was used as early as the 19th century as a poultice to treat the first symptoms of cold sores.
Nowadays, lemon balm is widely used in food supplements to resolve anxiety, insomnia or restless sleep problems, but also digestive problems.
What are the benefits of lemon balm?
Lemon balm is widely used to combat stress , insomnia and overwork .
This plant is known to have antispasmodic, antiviral, digestive and anxiolytic properties. We use it mainly to treat nervous disorders, sleep problems and sometimes intestinal and stomach problems.
Concretely, lemon balm can be a real asset because:
She fights against stress
Lemon balm leaves are known for their soothing properties on the nervous system. It improves cognitive performance and thus affects mood disorders. It thus influences the onset of depressive symptoms, helps to overcome stress, to manage temporary depression and overwork.
Beyond its role in calming agitation and anxiety, it also helps reduce nervous breakdowns.
It promotes restful sleep
Whether in children or adults, lemon balm can be used in cases of nervousness.
Its action on stress as mentioned above and mild nervous breakdowns has a direct impact on sleep. It helps to calm and soothe the body.
Relaxing and sedative, it promotes faster and easier falling asleep. It is therefore used as a treatment during stressful periods, or periods of insomnia, and offers its consumer restorative sleep when used long term.
It helps with digestion and the proper functioning of transit
Lemon balm is often recommended by naturopaths to promote good transit. In fact, it helps treat many digestive disorders such as bloating, slow digestion, belching, etc. Ideal for better digestive well-being! In addition, its antispasmodic effects reduce pain related to menstruation.
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100% natural formula based on extracts of 6 plants with sleep benefits.
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The different ways to use lemon balm
Lemon balm can be used in different ways. Here is how you can consume this plant on a daily basis:
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In infusion
Put 5 grams of fresh or dried leaves in a liter of boiling water. Drink your infusion at lunchtime and/or in the evening after your meal.
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In decoction
Put 1 tablespoon of leaves in 20 centiliters of cold water. Bring everything to a boil for 3 minutes then cover and leave to infuse for around ten minutes. Filter your decoction and drink it between your meals (2 to 3 cups per day).
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As a dietary supplement
To reduce stress and make it easier to fall asleep, take a dose of 200 mg in the evening with a meal.
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In essential oil
Put a drop on a tissue. Breathe it in as often as necessary. Practical for calming down after an emotional shock.
When to take a lemon balm cure?
As seen previously, lemon balm is ideal for relieving digestive disorders. It is used when you want to maintain healthy transit while benefiting from digestive well-being.
Indeed, an unsuitable diet, stress or even an intensive sports session can have serious consequences on digestion. By using lemon balm, you contribute to your digestive comfort and good intestinal functioning. It is therefore advisable to carry out a cure, in the case of bloating concerns, slow digestion, digestive discomfort or to maintain healthy transit.
In case of sleep disorders , lemon balm is known for its soothing properties on the nervous system. In the event of difficulty falling asleep due to nervousness, we recommend a course of approximately 45 days. This can be repeated once if necessary, but spaced a few weeks apart from the first treatment.
If you are looking for a natural remedy to sleep well, we offer our Sleep Formula . The selected lemon balm extract contains more than 5% rosmarinic acid, a polyphenol with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Our Sleep Formula will be ideal to help you reduce the time it takes to fall asleep, promotes natural sleep, reduces the effects of jet lag and contributes to relaxation.
If you want to know more about food supplements for sleeping well, we advise you to readour article on this subject. You can also find other information and tips on our blog .
Contraindications of lemon balm
It is best not to take lemon balm during pregnancy . Indeed, no safety studies on the fetus have been carried out. Regarding breastfeeding women , it is also advisable to avoid taking lemon balm (the active substances in lemon balm are likely to pass into the milk).
Due to its sedative properties, lemon balm can reduce alertness and thus be dangerous for those who drive vehicles or operate machine tools. So stay careful.
As a precaution, prolonged use of lemon balm is not recommended, as it can reduce the activity of the sexual glands (anti-gonadotropic effect).
