Lemon balm, which is also well known by the name of lemon balm, is a plant widely used for natural remedies.. The most common way to consume this plant is in an infusion. It has a taste close to lemon, so it has a pleasant and well valued palate.
It is a plant that also has a beautiful appearance. Many leaves are gathered on a single branch and sprout small white flowers. But lemon balm has always been more than an ornamental plant, so today we will learn about its properties and benefits.
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What is lemon balm for? Its properties and benefits
The lemon balm plant or lemon balm is relatively easy to care for and grow. One of the advantages it provides us is that each part that composes it, from the root to the flower, offers properties and benefits to take care of our health.
It is enough to prepare an infusion of lemon balm and sweeten it with a little honey.. In addition to a pleasant and relaxing smell, drinking this tea will help your body receive the benefits of this medicinal plant used since ancient times.
1. Relaxing
One of the most recognized properties of lemon balm is as a relaxant.. Of all medicinal plants, this is the one that has a high efficiency to relax the body. This is due to the high amounts of rosmarinic acid and phenolic antioxidants.
These two compounds act directly on the neurotransmitters that inhibit the functions of the nervous system. For this reason, when a person is in an altered state, a lemon balm tea calms him/her down.
2. Analgesic
Lemon balm is effectively used as an analgesic.. It is an effective and natural way to relieve headaches, muscular and stomach pains. A cup of lemon balm infusion is enough to relieve discomfort from mild to severe pain.
Even when there are localized pains in joints or muscles, it is recommended to soak a compress in lemon balm water. It is applied over the area causing discomfort and works as a topical analgesic.
3. Against insomnia
Lemon balm serves as an effective natural remedy for insomnia. Some people have trouble falling asleep due to stress and anxiety. An infusion of this medicinal plant will help to calm anxiety and this in turn will help the person to fall asleep more easily.
Its properties act directly on the nervous systemThis is the reason why they achieve this calming effect. Because of this benefit is that lemon balm is one of the most recommended medicinal plants for this use.
4. Improves digestion
When there are problems with poor digestion, it is recommended to take a cup of lemon balm infusion. of lemon balm. The antispasmodic effects that this plant causes in the body cause an almost immediate relief when there is some kind of indigestion.
An overeating or eating something that does not agree with the body usually causes a feeling of heaviness and, in some cases, stomach cramps. These will disappear with the powerful effect of the lemon balm plant.
5. Combats stress
As already mentioned, lemon balm intervenes in the central nervous system. This causes an immediate effect to calm the body when it is subjected to any kind of stress..
If you are going through some kind of exceptional situation that causes stress, or on the other hand daily life keeps us in a high level of tension, it is then recommended to ingest a cup a day of lemon balm and sweeten it with honey to enjoy its relaxing effect.
6. Against bad breath
A little known effect of lemon balm is that it fights bad breath.. Due to the intensity of its natural essences and aromas, as well as its flavor, this plant is also used to hide bad breath caused by certain foods, smoking or certain beverages.
To use lemon balm as a remedy against unpleasant breath, it is not necessary to ingest an infusion of this plant. In this case the recommendation is to chew directly a leaf of the lemon balm tree or lemon balm. Its flavor is pleasant and the refreshing effect will be immediate.
7. Insect repellent
Lemon balm is an effective insect repellent.. The smells and oils given off by the plant repel insects, especially mosquitoes. In this way we can protect ourselves from bites.
It can be used both indoors and outdoors. In a more or less wide radius around the lemon balm plant, mosquitoes and other insects stay away because the aromas are irritating and unpleasant for them.
8. Aromatizer
The lemon balm plant gives off an intense odor.. For this reason, the plant itself or the leaves and flowers are used to fill the atmosphere with a subtle perfume. It has a citrus scent but without being too acidic.
Because of this, lemon balm plant has become a favorite to have at home. In addition, as already mentioned, it is easy to care for and grows without too much difficulty. Being indoors, the home is filled with its pleasant aroma.
9. Helps with menstrual discomfort
For the typical discomfort of the menstrual cycle, an infusion of lemon balm is a godsend.. As already mentioned, this plant is an effective antispasmodic and soothing. This combination is ideal to bring relief from the discomfort caused by the menstrual period.
Many women use to drink a cup of lemon balm tea sweetened with honey at the beginning of their cycle. If you haven’t tried it, don’t hesitate to do so the next time you feel uncomfortable, because in addition to reducing swelling and soothing the pain, it will help you relax and forget about the discomfort.