Author: Vicki

Dear Friends,

Here is our new herb suggestion of the month.  I am giving you all the information on this wonderful, aromatherapy herb to help keep you, and your family feeling uplifted, happy, as well as a sense of well being.  I hope you enjoy it!

 Lemon Balm Oil

Also known as Melissa or simply balm, lemon balm originated in the Near East.  Benedictine missionaries first brought this herb to the West, planting it in kitchen gardens all over Europe.  American colonists used lemon balm as well, both as a medicine and as a flavoring agent.  It is said that Thomas Jefferson grew the plant at Monticello.  The name “Lemon Balm” can be attributed to the lemony scent of its nettle-like leave.  Similarly, its nickname Melissa, which means “honey bee” in Greek, is also a tribute to this distinctive fragrance, which attracts warms of bees to the plant.  Today, this essential oil serves as a panacea in home remedies and has many therapeutic benefits.  For instance, it is commonly used to treat anxiety, insomnia, depression and menstrual complaints.  Although in most cases lemon balm essential oil is diluted then massaged into the skin or utilized in aromatherapy regimens, it also can be taken orally to induce a mild relaxing effect.

Overcoming Insomnia:

Place these calming oil mixtures in a simmer pot and breathe them in at night to relieve insomnia and nervous tension.

3 drops lemon balm oil

3 drops ylang-ylang oil

1 drop sandalwood oil

  OR

3 drops lemon balm oil

3 drops lavender oil

1 drop rose oil

Therapeutic Effect: 

Lemon balm oil can help fight infections caused by viruses and bacteria; relieve spasms and cramps; stimulate liver function; and reduce pain, fever and flatulence.  It also has calming and stress-reducing effects.  The oil’s most important active ingredients are citral, citronella and geranial.

Comfort and Relaxation:

Add a couple of drops of lemon balm to a diffuser to promote relaxation and help you regain your over all balance.

Respiratory Relief:

Lemon balm oil helps relax the muscles of the airways.  It makes breathing easier when respiratory passages become tight or congested due to allergic reactions, asthma, coughs, colds and other respiratory complaints.

For Nervous Children:

Lemon balm oil eases nervousness tension and restlessness.  When dispersed by the diffuser, the oil can help soothe and calm agitated children.

A Natural Remedy for Menstrual Complaints:

Lemon balm oil is an excellent remedy for menstrual disorders.  its antispasmodic and muscle relaxing properties help relieve menstrual cramping and pain.  Some healers also claim that its hormonal actions can help regulate irregular periods or restore missed ones, particularly during menopause.

Pure Lemon Balm Oil:

Pure lemon balm oil is one of the most expensive of the essential oil, because about 3 1/2 tons of the leafy plants are needed to make 1 quart of purified oil.

Applications:

External Use

Lemon balm oil is a great remedy for stress-related skin and facial blemishes.  Mix 2-5 drops of lemon-balm oil with 1 1/2 oz. of base oil, such as sweet almond or wheat germ oil.  Massage the mixture into the back, on either side of the spine, to reduce stress and anxiety.

The same diluted mixture can be applied to many kinds of skin inflammations and insects bites.  It can also be rubbed into the  lower abdomen to relax muscles and alleviate menstrual cramping.  Relieve mild chest pain (angina) with a mixture of 1 drop lemon balm, 1 drop rose oil and 5 drops jojoba oil.  Rub it gently into the skin around the heart area. 

To relieve fever blisters on the lips, apply a drop of diluted lemon balm to the affected area.  Use the oil at first signs of irritation to maximize its protective effect and help speed healing.

To relieve the irritating itching of insect bites, prepare a lemon balm ointment.  Combine 1 tsp lemon balm essential oil with 3 1/2 oz. petroleum jelly or soft paraffin wax.  Apply to your infected areas.

To mitigate the pain of shingles, add 5 drops of lemon balm essential oil to 1 tsp. olive oil.  Regularly massage this mixture gently into any painful area.

This information is up to date and accurate in accordance with The Complete Guide to Natural Healing and is intended to complement, not replace, the advice of your physician.  Before undertaking the advice contained in this publication, you should consult with a health care professional, who can best assess your individual needs, symptoms and treatment.

 In good health to you all!
Vicki