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Herbal Wisdom:  Lemon Balm  |
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melody
True Blue Farmgirl
3318 Posts
Melody
The Great North Woods in the Land of Hiawatha
USA
3318 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 27 2009 : 6:16:56 PM
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Lemon Balm-Melisa Officianalis
Family-Lamiaceae
Lemon Balm is an herb that native to southern Europe and northern Africa and has been cultivated for over 2000 years! It has a long history as a healing herb. The branches of lemon balm were strewn on floors to freshen a room. The Arabs introduced it as medicinal herb, a tea, which was taken for anxiety and depression. Melissa tea is still known in France today as a remedy for fatigue and headaches. Melissa derives its name from the Greek word for honeybee. The leaves were rubbed onto beehives to prevent swarming and to encourage the bees to return to the hives.
The crushed leaves of lemon balm, when rubbed on the skin, are used as a repellant for mosquitoes. Fresh leaves can be used to sooth insect bites, and a liniment made with lemon balm will help heal cold sores. It is claimed to have antibacterial, antiviral properties (it is effective against herpes simplex), and it is also used as a mild sedative or calming agent when used as a tea.
Bee-utiful
I had a potted plant of Lemon Balm last year in my herb garden next to my garden shed. Every time I brushed against it.... a most tantilizing lemon smell enveloped me! So clean and fresh
Melody |
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Peg Graham
True Blue Farmgirl
281 Posts
Peg
Chesapeake
Virginia
USA
281 Posts |
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22shortie
True Blue Farmgirl
329 Posts
rebekah
sulphur
la
USA
329 Posts |
Posted - Mar 09 2009 : 6:10:30 PM
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wow! I'd love to plant a little lemon blam plant myself! Can you just get it at the garden center of any garden store???
Fresh and creative projects popping up on my blog daily! Stop by and check out what I'm up to today!
http://pumpkinseed-unscripted.blogspot.com/ |
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LauriP
True Blue Farmgirl
239 Posts
Laurianne
Hertford
North Carolina
USA
239 Posts |
Posted - Mar 13 2009 : 2:23:14 PM
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You can get seeds for this little plant. Well, I say little, but it does have a tendancy to get out of control. Little seeds throw themselves all over, an' you may have plants where you don't want them. I found that out by accident. They do pull up easily, tho, so don't be alarmed.
These are Great to add with some other herbs for a calm spritz to add to bathwater. Lavender and a touch of this is really fine.
Look at seed catalogs..I bought mine some years ago from Pinetree Seeds..maybe .95 a pack(?) Check them out for current prices.
And Good Luck. I think you'll really enjoy this plant!
Laurianne |
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milkmaid
True Blue Farmgirl
187 Posts
Heather
Higginsville
Missouri
USA
187 Posts |
Posted - Mar 13 2009 : 2:54:05 PM
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I like lemon balm.. everytime I smell it it makes me think of my grandmother dusting, she was in LOVE with lemon pledge LOL to me it smells just the same!!
Heather
http://goodfarm.blogspot.com/
Mother to five awesome kids, wife of 17 years and milk maid to two beautiful cows. Living the good life!!! |
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idsweetie72
True Blue Farmgirl
129 Posts
Sandra
New Meadows
idaho
USA
129 Posts |
Posted - Mar 14 2009 : 09:21:30 AM
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I just started this year with a medicinal herbal garden- I can't wait to actually have the herbs and try them. If you start from seeds with Lemon Balm though be patient- it took mine a while to germinate.
Mazy Day Farm |
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LoraFLeming
Farmgirl in Training
30 Posts
Lora
Onalaska
WI
USA
30 Posts |
Posted - Mar 20 2009 : 8:36:22 PM
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Once it's established it will grow like wildfire! I have mine in a raised bed and it has spread everywhere ... the entire bed is full of it, the lawn all around it is full of it ... which smells amazing when we mow! Sure is better than the neighbors chemicals ... I'll bet they wonder what we put on our lawn to make it "lemon fresh" LOL!
Changing lives one card at a time.
www.sendoutcards.com/Lora |
Edited by - LoraFLeming on Mar 20 2009 8:38:16 PM |
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BeckySue
True Blue Farmgirl
63 Posts
BeckySue
Arizona
USA
63 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2009 : 5:09:35 PM
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~ i plan on planting some Lemon Balm in my herb garden this year too.
if i get seeds in the fall, i will save some to share.
~BeckySue
You are
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My Serenity Garden |
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mustanggrl0526
Farmgirl at Heart
7 Posts
Becky
Cottonwood Heights
UT
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - Oct 17 2009 : 08:50:14 AM
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We have lemon balm in our yard also, and like others have said it has taken off like wildfire. We have it everywhere. My dog loves walking through it smelling the leaves. I'm hoping to grow enough of it next year to distill the leaves for essential oil.
You can't be a smart cookie if you have a crumby attitude. |
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kittykill
True Blue Farmgirl
608 Posts
Pam
Portland
or
USA
608 Posts |
Posted - May 27 2010 : 09:04:41 AM
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| I know this is an old thread but I have SO much lemon balm at my house. I'm wondering if I can use it as a "bug" spray and how long do I dry it for. I would love to make some soap with it. Thanks! |
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Herbal Wisdom: Lemon Balm |
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Lemon Balm
