Lemon balm has been known and loved for several thousand years. Essential oil is extracted from lemon balm, which is used in pharmaceuticals, perfumery, and cooking.
As a spice with a lemon aroma, lemon balm is added to sauces, meat dishes, omelets, milk, liqueurs, and cocktails. Dried lemon balm is added to tea, compote, beer, and used as a component in spice blends.
Traditionally, lemon balm is considered the best herbal tranquilizer, helping with nervous disorders. It lowers blood pressure, has bactericidal and immunomodulating properties. Lemon balm assists in chronic gastrointestinal diseases and flatulence.
It is used as a mouthwash for toothache and periodontitis, and in the form of compresses, it alleviates rheumatism attacks, disinfects boils and ulcers.
Lemon balm and its essential oil contain:
- Apigenin - a flavonoid that can block the growth of cancer tumors. It prevents the growth of capillaries that feed the tumor. It does not cause side effects, is included in antiviral preparations prescribed for HIV. An antioxidant. Strengthens blood vessels and capillaries, has a blood sugar-lowering effect, improves metabolism.
- Luteolin - a flavonoid, anti-inflammatory substance, antioxidant.
- Monoterpenes.
- Citral - an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent, a source of vitamin A, lowers blood pressure.
- Rosmarinic acid - an anti-inflammatory substance, anti-allergen, reduces radiation exposure, protects against ultraviolet rays.
- Caffeic acid - an anti-tumor substance, binds free radicals.
- Chlorogenic acid - a powerful antioxidant, has anti-mutagenic, antimicrobial, and antiviral activity.
- Ferulic acid - similar to curcumin, a strong antioxidant, neutralizes free radicals, moisturizes skin, increases elasticity, combats biological skin aging, protects against ultraviolet rays. Stimulates collagen production. Has anti-allergenic properties. Immune stimulant. Strengthens blood vessels.
- Salicylic acid - a powerful anti-inflammatory substance, phyt hormone, basis for the production of medications, acne lotions (I make a salicylic acid solution mixed with several tablets of erythromycin for my acne), antiseptic, anti-tuberculosis agent.
- Phenolic acids: gentisic, salicylic, p-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, syringic, protocatechuic acids.
- Ursolic acid - an anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and antimicrobial substance. Prevents skin cancer and tumor formation.
Lemon balm is rich in carotenoids, vitamins: PP, B9, B6, A, B1, B2, C, macroelements: potassium, calcium, magnesium, and microelements: iron, manganese, copper, zinc, chromium, selenium, molybdenum, vanadium, nickel. Due to its unique chemical composition, lemon balm is valued in medicine .
Lemon balm grows effortlessly in a pot on a windowsill, and it can even be grown from seeds.
