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Melissa is a perennial plant with a branched root system and a stem height from 20 to 75 cm. Its leaves contain 0.05% essential oils, characterized by a delicate citrus aroma and a spicy taste. The plant also has a high concentration of vitamin C, flavonoids and organic acids. Because of this, it is widely used in official and traditional medicine. What is useful lemon balm for our body, and in what cases it should not be used?
Features of the collection and preparation of lemon balm
To extract the maximum benefit from a plant, it must be properly assembled and subsequently stored. For medicinal purposes, Melissa uses only shoots and young leaves until it begins to bloom.Therefore, the optimal time for its collection is during June. At this time, the plant is literally poured with juices and has the highest concentration of phytoncides and healing components. Melissa grows on the edges of mountain forests, on the banks of rivers and clean waters. If possible, it can easily be planted on your own personal plot, as it easily overwinter in open ground.
As for storage, then experts recommend sticking with the following rules:
- while drying, lemon balm should not be mixed with other medicinal herbs;
- it is better to store it in a tin or wardrobe bag.
Useful properties of lemon balm
Melissa reminds mint in flavor and distantly to taste. She has a pleasant lemon scent, which even as a part of herbal tea often dominates. Melissa leaves contain a large amount of saponins and tannins. Vitamins of group B, vitamin C, selenium, manganese, iron and potassium are only a small part of the trace elements present in the composition of the plant.
Most often, lemon balm is used as a natural sedative.This is the main scope of its application, as the plant has a pronounced relaxing effect on the body. Therefore, tea from lemon balm is especially effective for neurosis, chronic stress, nervous exhaustion. Pediatricians recommend giving children fresh tea from melissa leaves for the night. Allowed children's proportion for brewing - 1 tsp. dry raw material to 250 ml of water.
Lemon balm flowers are useful for colic, poor digestion and unstable gastrointestinal function. Its systematic reception contributes to the normalization of the activity of the intestine, liver, gall and pancreas. An infusion based on it is useful for irregular stools and stomach cramps, with increased gas formation and gastritis.
Melissa has proven its effectiveness as a good antiviral agent. Brewed according to the classical scheme, it enhances the immune response and strengthens the body during the fight against the disease. For these purposes, tea from the leaves of lemon balm goes well with blueberry, cranberry or lingonberry juice.
It can be brewed with high blood pressure, asthma, dizziness, skin diseases.
Lemon balm oil
In pharmacology, the extract of essential oil from lemon balm is widely used. It is used as a basis for ointments for rheumatic pains and in female preparations for stabilizing the hormonal background during menopause. For those who suffer from insomnia, doctors recommend dripping melissa oil into the aroma lamp and inhaling its scent. This ensures a strong and healthy sleep.
You can resort to natural lemon balm oil for cosmetic purposes. It removes redness and effectively fights acne. It is used both in pure form, lubricating a cotton pad, and in combination with other oils. Girls suffering from greasy hair can solve this problem by enriching their shampoo with a few drops of lemon balm oil. It will improve the work of the sebaceous glands, make hair manageable and add natural, natural shine.
Melissa Tea
Tea based on lemon balm leaves is an excellent immune stimulant. Proven its effectiveness in combating seasonal colds and diseases of the bronchi. It must be brewed in the same proportion as almost any other herb: one teaspoon per cup of boiling water.To achieve the best effect, lemon balm is best combined with green tea (in equal proportions), linden and honey. If you do not want unnecessary trouble with straining tea, then you can immediately buy a packaged version.
Contraindications lemon balm
Since this is a medicinal herb, it also has certain restrictions on its use. It should not be drunk for people suffering from hypotension (low blood pressure). Before use, it is also worth tracking if there is an individual allergic reaction to the components that make up the lemon balm. So you need to start with small volumes.
Melissa brewing technologies based on the purpose
Depending on the problem, lemon balm can be used in the following ways:
- In case of problems with falling asleep and increased excitability, napar should be made on the basis of young leaves of lemon balm. At 1 liter of boiling water you need to take 15-20 g of dry raw materials, mix and leave to infuse for 20 minutes. The resulting infusion is desirable to drink at night, 1 glass. If desired, you can add a spoonful of honey to it.
- In the case of a migraine, the following proportion is used: 1 tbsp.dry and crushed melissa leaves pour a standard glass of hot water (up to 95 ° C). Leave the infusion for 1 hour. The optimal dosage is ½ cup before each meal.
- For the treatment of bruises and rheumatism at home, you can use the following recipe: 2 tbsp. Leaves of melissa pour 250 ml of boiling water, cover the container with a lid, remove infusion for 45 minutes. The resulting napar should be filtered and used for compresses on problem areas.
- For diseases of the gums and toothache, an infusion of leaves and tops of melissa is used. It is enough to take 1 tbsp. all components of the plant and pour boiling water over them (250 ml is enough). Let stand insist wrapped for 1 hour, then strain. Rinse your mouth with the product several times a day.
- From an unstable menstrual cycle, naturopaths recommend the following option infusion. 15 g of dry and chopped herbs need to pour 180 g of strong boiling water. The maximum infusion time is 1 hour. This napar can be used in the form of tea or warm baths.
Slimming with melissa
Another of the areas in which this medicinal herb has successfully established itself is proper nutrition. It is low-calorie - only 45 kcal per 100 g.Tea or infusion of melissa in combination with healthy food will help in the fight against extra pounds, because it “accelerates” the metabolism. It also promotes gentle cleansing of the intestines, avoiding constipation. And due to the fact that Melissa is distinguished by a sedative effect on the nervous system, people do not break, eating junk food.
How to prepare an infusion of lemon balm just for the purpose of losing weight? We take 10 g of crushed grass and pour it with 1 cup of boiling water. Brew for an hour and filter. It is necessary to consume a drink for half an hour before meal on 70-100 ml (approximately on a half-glass). It is advisable not to make tea for the whole day.
Enhance the effect of the drink by adding honey, ginger or mint.
Another option for using lemon balm on a diet is a nutritious cocktail. To prepare it, you will need two fresh cucumbers, cut into small cubes, and a bunch of crushed lemon balm leaves. Mix the ingredients and fill them with 500 ml of low-fat yogurt. This is a great alternative to a snack or light summer dinner.
Tonic drink based on lemon balm leaves will appeal to those who are looking for an affordable and safe means to increase efficiency.Mix 10 g of thyme, lemon balm leaves and blackberries, 3-5 rosehips and a handful of calendula. Take 20 g of the resulting collection and fill it with 300 ml of boiling water. Let him insist at least one hour. Nutritionists recommend drinking up to 70-100 ml of infusion 2-3 times a day.
External use of lemon balm leaves
The unique effect of lemon balm on the body is not limited to its use as napara. It is also effective in combating skin rashes, inflammation of tissues and muscles. For these purposes, it must be brewed in the following proportion: 4 tbsp. dried herbs to 1 liter of boiling water. Napar should be infused for an hour, after which they can be impregnated with a bandage or gauze and attached to the problem area. It works very well in combating irritation on the face. Only for processing small areas it is better to use cotton pads.
In the case of skin ulcers, polyarthritis, or pain in the joints, you should chop the lemon balm leaves to a fine crumb. Pour them with boiling water (20 g of leaves - a glass of water), leave to infuse, cool and apply the gruel to the body.
Repeatedly enhances the effectiveness of lemon balm and ordinary alcohol. This tincture is used for rubbing or as a stimulant of immunity. To prepare such a universal remedy, you need 50 g of fresh melissa leaves and 250 ml of alcohol or vodka. Dry raw materials need to grind in a blender or grind in a mortar, put in a glass jar, pour with alcohol and cover with a lid. After that, clean in a dark place for 3 weeks. Alcohol tincture consumed 15 drops before each full meal.
Melissa can be grown on window sills, planted in the garden or collected in environmentally friendly foxes. Well, or just buy at the pharmacy. It has been established that people who love lemon balm tea have a fresh complexion and tolerate daily psychological stress more easily. They have stronger immunity and the entire digestive tract works more harmoniously. Melissa is especially useful for older people and hyperactive children.
Video: useful properties of lemon balm
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